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The Navasota Examiner & Grimes County Review
Serving Navasota and Grimes County, Texas, since 1894
Concern voiced over resolution to
oppose juvenile treatment center
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
By Dave Kucifer Examiner publisher In
what was otherwise a routine City Council agenda, a last-minute
agenda addition resulted in opening dialog concerning the proposed
juvenile treatment center in the County.
Navasota Mayor
Bert Miller said he and City Manager Brad Stafford decided to
propose a resolution opposing Gardner's Kids Residential Treatment
Center, which is being planned in the southeast part of the county.
The Mayor said his concern that the principals in the proposed
treatment center, Daryl R. and Tarnesia Gardner, had not made
contact with the city and were late contacting the Navasota ISD
regarding their plans prompted him and the City Manager to add the
item to the agenda. “I was concerned since neither we, nor the
school had been kept current on plans. In retrospect, it probably
was not the best way to go, but the way it worked out could be a
good thing. We were able to hear from those concerned about
Gardner's Kids RTC and those that support the project,” Miller said,
adding he was pleased to see the citizens taking an interest in the
project.
The council heard from NISD personnel, including Superintendent
Jennings Teel who told the court that the center would impact the
school district in terms of facilities and funds, but regardless,
Teel said, “we are in the education business and the district would
educate center residents.
One of the
Mayor's concern was how the center would impact the school district
and what effect it might have of safety issues.
Bonnie Armstrong and former City Councilwoman Beth Downing spoke in
support of the Gardner's and their plans. Mrs. Downing, who sits on
the Child Welfare Board, said she had met the couple and learned
about the program, and from what she had learned, there was no need
for concern. Mrs. Armstrong, a Licensed Chemical Dependency
Counselor, urged the council to look at the positive aspects,
pointing out the founder, a Baylor grad, was recognized for his work
with “at risk” youth while playing for the Miami Dolphins.
The Gardner's
recently closed on the purchase of a 100-acre ranch of FM 2445 and
plan to use the property for their treatment center.
Public Hearing Monday
The Gardner's have scheduled an on-site public hearing on the
proposed treatment center, 11071 FM 2445 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Gardner's
have applied to the state for a license to establish a treatment
center dedicated to serving males and females 8-17 years of age who
are caught up in dependency proceedings today, giving them hope of
being lifted out of a wavy of despair. According to the program
literature. The current plans call for the license to be limited to
22 residents.
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