LOCAL 229—Probation Officers
Gov. Patrick Aims to Roll Probation into Executive Branch
January 28, 2010
In the unveiling of his FY11 state budget on Wednesday (Jan. 27), Governor Deval Patrick announced a proposal to merge probation with parole into a new department of "community supervision," which would take probation out of the Trial Courts and move it under the Executive Office of Public Safety (EOPS), where the parole department currently resides.
The governor and supporters of his proposal say the move will save the state between $15 and $40 million over the next several years. It will also, they say, eliminate what they view as rampant patronage within probation hiring.
While the just-released 99-page merger proposal has not yet been carefully parsed by National President David J. Holway, he took immediate offense to the allegations of widespread patronage. Commenting on the radio station WBUR, President Holway criticized the governor's offensive remarks by advising him to review his own hiring and appointment practices before painting a negative broad brush against the probation department.
"There is probably no greater abuse of patronage hiring than within the governor's own management ranks, and I ask the governor to look into his own house for cleaning before asking others to clean theirs," Holway said.
President Holway met this morning with Local 229 President Maragret Thompson and Vice President Ray Laughlin to discuss the merger proposal. He has also contacted A&F Secretary Jay Gonzalez to schedule a meeting so that he and local 229 officials can determine exactly what's a stake in the merger.
While discussions are ongoing, we ask members to review the proposal and let us know what you think. Is the proposal to move probation out of the Trial Courts and into the Executive Branch a good idea or a bad deal? Please submit your comments by clicking the appropriate link below.
Review the governor's proposal
Yes, Governor Patrick's merger proposal is a good idea.
No, Governor Patrick's merger proposal is not a good idea.
Election Results for Executive Board
November 24, 2009
The probation officers of NAGE Local 229 have chosen their new executive board for the next three years. The results of the ballot count on November 24 are as follows:
President: Margaret Thompson, Suffolk Superior Court
Executive Secretary: Raymond Loughlin, Jr., Worcester Superior Court
Executive Vice President: Maria Simone, Ayer District Court
Treasurer: Michael King, Worcester Probate Court
Master-At-Arms: David Powers, Attleboro District Court
Superior Court Representative: Emilio Cruz, Worcester Superior Court
Juvenile Court Representative: Ambrozine Snowden, Springfield Juvenile Court
Associate Probation Officer-At-Large: Ellie Ussow, Barnstable Probate Court
Probate Court Representative: Elizabeth Chabot, Worcester Probate & Family Court
District Court Representative: Robert Manning, Jr., Waltham District Court
Probation Officer-At-Large: Lynn Dadekian, Framingham District Court
Congratulations to all of the members of the Local 229 Executive Board.
Probation Furloughs Canceled as Legislature Overrides Budget Cuts
November 19, 2009
We have received confirmation from the Administrative Office of the Trial Court that the furlough program affecting NAGE members in the probation department has been canceled. Furloughs are no longer necessary because the state legislature overrode the governor's veto of $4.1 million in the budget for the Office of the Commissioner of Probation.
The NAGE lobbying team put in a tremendous effort working with legislators to make the override a reality. John O'Brien, the commissioner of probation, also deserves our thanks for his hard work on the restoration of these funds. But the biggest thanks should go to you and your fellow members. We couldn't have convinced House and Senate members to restore funds to OCP without your frequent calls and emails to your legislators.
THANK YOU for your efforts, and thank your fellow probation members for theirs.
New Seniority List
July 14, 2009
If you believe the date the Trial Court has for your seniority is incorrect, please fill out the appeal form (below), and send the form and a copy of corroborating evidence (e.g., appointment letter, promotion letter) to the address on the appeal form, or fax it to 617-376-0469 Attn: Laurie Connors.
Probation Officers (including Assistant Chief Probation Officer and 1st Assistant Chief Probation Officer) Seniority (updated July 2009)
Probation Officer Seniority Instructions
Probation Officer Seniority Appeal Form
Associate Probation Officers Seniority (updated July 2009)
Associate Probation Officer Seniority Instructions
Associate Probation Officer Seniority Appeal Form