ER - Worth Dikeman will give county's children the help they need

Worth Dikeman will give county's children the help they need
by Carole Cahill, 5/30/2006

Dear Editor,

I recently re-read the 2004-2005 grand jury report and was once again shocked at the lack of comprehension and compassion of District Attorney Paul Gallegos regarding the Child Abuse Services Team.

In the report the grand jury found and recommended:

1. That there is a consensus within the CAST originization that a leadership person is needed to coordinate and make decisions about CAST, and

2. That two deputy DAs and a senior legal office assistant be assigned or hired and that CAST cases by the priority case load for the attorneys assigned to CAST.

Mr. Gallegos’ response to the finding and recommendation No. 1 was that he wholly disagrees with the finding. There was no consensus within the CAST organization. He then states that a director position which would authorize a leadership person for CAST has been advocated and was initiated by the DA’s Office. Huh? He then blames the delay in creating this position on the lack of consensus within the CAST organization. If this is so, how could the grand jury state that there is a consensus within the CAST organization, augmented by a recommendation of the National Children’s Alliance? Who speaks the truth?

In his response to the second finding and recommendation of the grand jury that the CAST program should have two deputy district attorneys with CAST cases as their priority and a senior legal office assistant, as was in place when he took office, he said “some” members of CAST identified such a need, but that he wholly disagrees with their opinion and that “the recommendation will not be implemented” because it is “not warranted and is unreasonable,” and “would not benefit the office or improve the quality of service.”

The protection of our smallest and most venerable victims is totally warranted and wholly reasonable. Please go the polls on June 6 and vote for Worth Dikeman, who will make the restoration of the CAST program his No. 1 priority.

Carole Cahill
Arcata
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