Barley Reginald M Attorney at Law in Richmond, VA

Kevin B Delaney Sr. posted a comment

Harvie: é®®ow more oversight'
Questions remain unanswered about
juvenile community service program





In order to meet The Monitor's deadline last week to publish the report of the complaint that Amelia's juvenile community service program's Director Kevin Delaney told a resident and her son, in front of other witnesses, that he had "the same authority as a deputy," the newspaper was not able to find the answer to two key questions. While it was firmly established Mr. Delaney does not have the authority he allegedly claimed, unfortunately those two key questions remain un-answered. However, The Monitor's scrutiny has resulted in more county oversight of the program.
One key question was, how did the juvenile community service program come to be placed under the Amelia County Parks and Recreation Department, and therefore under the supervision of his cousin, parks and rec Director Glen Wilkerson? Mr. Delaney is chairman of the school board as well, and Mr. Wilkerson is the District 2 school board member.
To recap last week's report, in explaining how approximately 18 months ago the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (VDJJ) moved all juvenile community services programs from the juvenile probation office (JPO) to the various localities' departments and the programs were partially funded by a state grant under the Virginia Community Crime Control Act, VDJJ Chief Deputy Director Angela Valentine told The Monitor most localities had placed the juvenile community services program under the sheriff's office or the social services department. Ms. Valentine seemed surprised when she was told Amelia's program is under the parks and rec department, but admitted that was "workable."
Last week Mr. Delaney referred all questions to Amelia County Administrator Taylor Harvie who told The Monitor when the change took place regional JPO Director Michael Traylor, based in Petersburg, called him and suggested the juvenile community services program be placed under parks and rec. Mr. Harvie said at that time he had agreed because Mr. Delaney spent much of his time at parks and rec working with youth, some of whom he may also work with in his community service program. Mr. Harvie was adamant, however, that he would not accuse either Mr. Delaney or Mr. Wilkerson of any wrongdoing whatsoever.
But Mr. Harvie did not know why Mr. Traylor chose to recommend placing that program under parks and rec rather than the two departments most commonly used by other localities.
Mr. Traylor refused to return The Monitor's phone calls last week and was therefore unable to reveal why he made that choice, or if he knew about the relationship between Mr. Delaney and Mr. Wilkerson.
Contacted by The Monitor, Mr. Wilkerson also refused to answer any questions.
The other question The Monitor had for Mr. Wilkerson concerned how much oversight he had over Mr. Delaney.
Mr. Harvie earlier told The Monitor Mr. Delaney is what he called a "hybrid" county employee and the county had little oversight over Mr. Delaney except for the responsibility to keep his time sheets and issue a paycheck, both through parks and rec. Mr. Delaney is paid $14,750 per year. The state grant is for $9,914 and the county contributes a further $8,864 for a total program budget of $18,778.
Mr. Delaney's office space remains in the Boepple building with the other court services' offices.
But Mr. Harvie said, after last week's report, he and Mr. Traylor discussed the county having more supervision over Mr. Delaney. "We'll still not tell (Mr. Delaney) how to do his job," Mr. Harvie said, but the county will now have a job description to be able to insure Mr. Delaney is doing that job. Parks and rec's assistant director Carolyn Jackson will continue to sign off on Mr. Delaney's time sheets.
Mr. Harvie explained as a part-time employee, it is not required that Mr. Wilkerson do an annual evaluation of Mr. Delaney. Mr. Wilkerson's department has other part-time paid personnel, such as coaches, for which no annual evaluation is required, he added.

Harvie: é®®ow more oversight'
Questions remain unanswered about
juvenile community service program





In order to meet The Monitor's deadline last week to publish the report of the complaint that Amelia's juvenile community service program's Director Kevin Delaney told a resident and her son, in front of other witnesses, that he had "the same authority as a deputy," the newspaper was not able to find the answer to two key questions. While it was firmly established Mr. Delaney does not have the authority he allegedly claimed, unfortunately those two key questions remain un-answered. However, The Monitor's scrutiny has resulted in more county oversight of the program.
One key question was, how did the juvenile community service program come to be placed under the Amelia County Parks and Recreation Department, and therefore under the supervision of his cousin, parks and rec Director Glen Wilkerson? Mr. Delaney is chairman of the school board as well, and Mr. Wilkerson is the District 2 school board member.
To recap last week's report, in explaining how approximately 18 months ago the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (VDJJ) moved all juvenile community services programs from the juvenile probation office (JPO) to the various localities' departments and the programs were partially funded by a state grant under the Virginia Community Crime Control Act, VDJJ Chief Deputy Director Angela Valentine told The Monitor most localities had placed the juvenile community services program under the sheriff's office or the social services department. Ms. Valentine seemed surprised when she was told Amelia's program is under the parks and rec department, but admitted that was "workable."
Last week Mr. Delaney referred all questions to Amelia County Administrator Taylor Harvie who told The Monitor when the change took place regional JPO Director Michael Traylor, based in Petersburg, called him and suggested the juvenile community services program be placed under parks and rec. Mr. Harvie said at that time he had agreed because Mr. Delaney spent much of his time at parks and rec working with youth, some of whom he may also work with in his community service program. Mr. Harvie was adamant, however, that he would not accuse either Mr. Delaney or Mr. Wilkerson of any wrongdoing whatsoever.
But Mr. Harvie did not know why Mr. Traylor chose to recommend placing that program under parks and rec rather than the two departments most commonly used by other localities.
Mr. Traylor refused to return The Monitor's phone calls last week and was therefore unable to reveal why he made that choice, or if he knew about the relationship between Mr. Delaney and Mr. Wilkerson.
Contacted by The Monitor, Mr. Wilkerson also refused to answer any questions.
The other question The Monitor had for Mr. Wilkerson concerned how much oversight he had over Mr. Delaney.
Mr. Harvie earlier told The Monitor Mr. Delaney is what he called a "hybrid" county employee and the county had little oversight over Mr. Delaney except for the responsibility to keep his time sheets and issue a paycheck, both through parks and rec. Mr. Delaney is paid $14,750 per year. The state grant is for $9,914 and the county contributes a further $8,864 for a total program budget of $18,778.
Mr. Delaney's office space remains in the Boepple building with the other court services' offices.
But Mr. Harvie said, after last week's report, he and Mr. Traylor discussed the county having more supervision over Mr. Delaney. "We'll still not tell (Mr. Delaney) how to do his job," Mr. Harvie said, but the county will now have a job description to be able to insure Mr. Delaney is doing that job. Parks and rec's assistant director Carolyn Jackson will continue to sign off on Mr. Delaney's time sheets.
Mr. Harvie explained as a part-time employee, it is not required that Mr. Wilkerson do an annual evaluation of Mr. Delaney. Mr. Wilkerson's department has other part-time paid personnel, such as coaches, for which no annual evaluation is required, he added.


Mr Barley,

I would like to know if I have a case against the local newspaper. I can be reached at 804-432-2453

Thanks,
Kevin Delaney Sr