A Compilation of Recent Paradise Center Scandal Comments

We've not done a Paradise Center Scandal Comments Compilation since May 18.

Since the start of June the comments have turned even nastier, with the nastiness emanating, as it has from the start, from commenters in support of the bizarre actions of Mental Health Mental Retardation-Tarrant County (MHMR-TC), that precipitated the Paradise Center Scandal.

My favorite among this group of comments are those from CatsPaw, aka CowsHoof, explaining to the Anonymous MHMR commenter that his/her comments are identifiable, even though he/she comments Anonymously, due to the Anonymous bad grammar, bad spelling and mean-spirited illogic being identifiers as clear as fingerprints.

Below are the most recent, 30, give or take one or two, blog post comments, starting with the most recent...
   
Wow, the MHMR attack dogs sure are off their leashes and urged to "sic" Teresa's family, the consumer-run nonprofit, commenters who show intelligence and intellectual honesty, and even people suffering from severe and persistent mental illness --lashing out at those from Pathways Housing because they pointed out misrepresentations and threatening those who supported their organization with the government (SSI). Are we living in a Nazi ruled community? ?
By clinic eyes on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... at 7:41 AM
   
It just finally clicked in this old creaky brain: regarding the sudden, shocking, and harsh treatment of major Medicaid Star+ HMO BRAVO Health...the statement explaining the enrollment suspension appears to have a direct connection, if not a causal relationship, between the HMO's costly suspension and the fight for respect and honesty by Paradise Center Inc. and Ms. Davis because I wouldn't be surprised if THE STATE AUTHORITY WAS HEARING ALARMS GOING OFF WHEN THE ENROLLMENT OF MHMR-TC CLIENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS BY MHMR-TC ABOUT THEIR COMPLETE CONTROL OVER "OUR PROGRAM PARADISE CENTER" WERE CONTRADICTED BY THE DIRECTOR AND THE NONPROFIT BEHAVING LIKE WHO THEY REALLY ARE...AN INDEPENDENT AND AUTONOMOUS CHARITY LIVING OUT THEIR MISSION AND FULFILLING THE PART OF THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH THEIR PARTNERING ENTITY MHMRTC. In essence, the agency made misleading and false representations to the HMO and the state...unless they could somehow show evidence that they owned and have complete control over their "program and employee". How would they do that? Either get Teresa to go along with the charade as an MHMR program OR just get rid of her...reassured somehow that the part-time employee and mental health consumer assisting Teresa would be able to replace her and to retain and control the consumer group's leaders to operate the community centet and maintain the high attendance/participation in order for their monetizing plan with Bravo to work and bring in the projected profit/revenue. But the McDermott team were too arrogant and careless in their dealings wish the nonprofit, whose humility and carefulness "gave them a leg up on their reckless abusers. MHMR-TC McDermott gang picked in-kind on the wrong people.
By HMO girl on The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comment... on 6/5/11
   
What the heck is "Teresa is finally on her own" supposed to mean? It's a good thing to be in for her if it means she's gotten away from the incompetence and abuse/exploitation at the hands of the bullycrats. What does it say for people who seem to relish being "under MHMRTC"?? I, for one, will choose freedom and dignity over being "under" anybody or anything EVERY TIME. Obviously, I am not now nor will I soon be affiliated with Jim McDermott, his so called gals, NAMI-TC, MHA, or any of the so called Christian people who acted no differently from amoral and immoral people involved in this ungodly scandal. Know what I mean, Broadway Baptist Church leaders?? and those who claim to carry on the work of MLK?? Rotten "fruits" you've produced my "brothers".
By Skeptic on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Obviously literacy skills, high moral standards, and professional competence are not obstacles to employment and leadership in MHMR of Tarrant County. The evidence is in the craziness and desperation by all levels of the agency WHEN SOMEONE STANDS THEIR GROUND, FIRMLY ON HIGH MORAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. It appears that such qualities are foreign to the leadership of the second largest MHMR "center" or authority in Texas. I'd try to improve the agency's standards, starting from the top downward.
By Tom E. on The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comment... on 6/5/11

Correction: the first commenter was Mary and not Suzette. This is so fascinating, watching how twisted thought process and moral values affect people's behavior. I'd love to give these MHMRTC "professionals" a few neuropsych tests for free, just to see how the scores compare to their behavior. "The TRUTH WON OUT" --huh? How? "Teresa Davis made the BIG Mistake"--huh? How's that? I could go on but most people can already see the obvious mental and factual flaws. Surely MHMRTC can afford to hire better people to do their PR work, especially an important one like this scandal. BTW, no one has said your threat was "on CPS". It was made to or "on" those parents of the little child. And I'll bet you almost anything that those people have done whatever they needed for their only child (?), if not even more-- like seeking additional opinions and options. These are obviously well educated and prudent people, with Teresa being a professional who knows how to navigate the medical system (as seen in report about her helping a client recently). Oh yes, maybe what the shill is saying is that "Sue" is the person giving the nonprofit a "grant"..or they hope she does so the group won't sue the hell out of MHMRTC? When do you want to take the tests? Just takes around 45 minutes...if you can read at a sixth grade level.
By Psych prof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Hey bloggerman, is the second comment on this posting by the obvious MHMR shill (June 01) addressed to "YOU"? Because from normal literacy practices, the second person pronoun without any reference to someone else is taken as directed at the writer, which in this case is you the blogger...or the first commenter Suzette, but it wouldn't make sense to conclude that. If these MHMRTC shills are indeed directing that comment at you, congratulations because you have "followers", Durango. Pretty soon you'll be like Jimbo McD. who has supplicants and subservient employees and an other pillars of the community in his pocket. Seriously, this "new" (but not really) attack angle of "Teresa Davis has brought this on herself" and having "only herself to blame", yada-yada, makes no sense at all because she is not in any kind of legal, professional, political, or financial hotwater as far as the facts bear out. To the contrary, it is a fact that Jimbo and his gang "had brought this on himself/themselves," because they are in some serious trouble: legally, professionally, politically, etc. The sociopathic trait of blaming the victime for the "crime" (criminal or civil) is apparently on full display here. You know, like a perp claiming "that old lady asked for it because she had a lot of money and was weak and vulnerable" or the school bully saying "the kid asked for it because he's scrawny and doesn't have many friends to help him." Or the classics: the property owner brought it on themselves for displaying their possessions AND the woman asked for it by the way she dresses. That criminal mindset would only be normal and somewhat acceptible within criminal gangs, the mafia, or the hardcore prisons. NOT in regulary American society, MHMRTC.
By Psych Prof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/5/11
   
Norma can be a crusty old woman sometimes but shes a big part of our second family in paradise. she's kinda like the big sister or auntie to many of us. the thing about mental illness people don't understand is that most of us have been cut off from our original families mostly due to the problems our illness caused them or their shame for how we are. so were lucky to have a second but very real family who accept us and help us in our life journey. Norma, Don, teresa, and other paradise leaders are just like our family because they listen to our problems, help us, and give good advice and be good role models.
By young paradise guy on A Paradise Center Message From Norma On Facebook on 6/5/11
   
The May 27 comment appears to indicate that MHMRTC's CEO reads this blog because his homies are using this site as like their Facebook to post shout outs to their top G, thanking him for hustling the corners of the county to raise money for MHMR. What ever happened to the $100 million received by the agency from taxing entities annully?? Strange that the CEO spends time raising a few thousand dollars from his political contacts. Hire a development specialist or let someone more able and willing to assume the important role of CEO. Oh yea, why is a CEO of a 1400 strong agency focusing his time and energy on a director/manager level employee like Ms. Davis?
By Anna on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/4/11

"Lawrence is the most loyal client..."--that is so condescending and reflects the attitude of seeing these disabled people as pawns for the incompetent and possibly exploitive agency leadership. Lawrence is African-American, and as a "brother" I take extreme offense at how he's referred to ("loyal" like my best dog in the yard) and what he's "volunteered" to do. I also know that the other peer leaders like Big Tony, Loopy Lynn, and the new hires after Old Hand Sandra finally grad-you-ated DO NOT LIKE THE HEAT OR THE DIRTY WORK. Regarding the pathway housing people, why are you pressuring them to "step up and volunteer" when there are 4-6 of you low level techs getting paid to do the work? You get salaries to buy new cars and such, but do they get for doing what you yourselves are PAID TO DO? Piece of advice, you'll go nuts by continuing to compare yourselves and your agency "program", actually a sub-program of that overcrowded and understaffed clinic, with THE INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION that you envy/admire and loathe so much at the same time.It's kind of like you're working at a fastfood franchise and they are owners of their original restaurant with the freedom to change and adapt to meet their objectives, instead of taking orders from headquarters to do the same basic thing over and over without any sense of ownership or ability to have input. Capech, Anthony the silenced "manager"--how come, too busy consoling and holding the shaky body of the shaken Boss Hawg of MHMR and Tarrant County??
By Rainbow child on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/4/11
   
Hey Dan the Dad, while it's true that the Texas Tort Reform Act of 1982 limits the financial liability for a governmental unit, I believe that some good litigators can find other ways to bring justice to people whose actions went beyond their customary role as an employee of said entity. Based on what has been said---and NOT denied!!-- I imagine that there are some very nervous people because what they did to the director, and even the MH consumers, were very personal and vindictive...far beyond what's called for in the duties of their jobs.
By O. on A Friend Of MHMRTC Pros Comments About This Whole ... on 6/4/11
   
Norma, thank you for sharing your feelings and for sharing your God-given gifts to help other of God's children. Keep the FAITH. Have HOPE. And LOVE all people, even those who are hateful. God bless you and Paradise Center Inc.
By Michael on A Paradise Center Message From Norma On Facebook on 6/4/11
   
These MHMRTC folks seem awefully INTERESTED in everything about the little nonprofit group, even scrutinizing their typical needs list and donors who most likely gave their permission to have their support noted on the website. What became of your boastings about how great and perfect things are for you under the mighty bullycrats? BTW, why don't you add my name to the list of your "donors" since my hard earned tax dollars are used to pay for all the things you gloated about and, lord help us, PAY YOUR DANG SALARIES....to do good, not this idiotic b.s.
By Bob Smith on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
Oh, Anonymous ... you inspire me. Perhaps we've gotten this all wrong. Your repeated concern for an unfortunate [well-loved and socialized] little girl, your insomniac worry that her [not oblivious] parents haven't noticed that her welfare is at stake, your [un]healthy contempt for not only her parents but so many of the mental health consumers who have remained loyal to Ms Davis and Paradise Center, your [a**kissing] praise for Jim & Co. ... well, you've sold me! It's all such a load. So, I promise to deliver in your honor some of that much-mentioned toilet paper to the new Paradise Center. It is my greatest hope that you, Anonymous, will be remembered fondly and thanked repeatedly as it is enjoyed by consumers. Keep up the good work!
By CowHoof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
"One reason is to bring it to the parents attention "---do you honestly think that the child's parents aren't aware of this fact?? SO, NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN YOUR WEENY EXCUSE OUT OF THE WAY: what exactly is your real reason/s for making this threat?? Because it's crystal clear to any person with an average IQ and middle school literacy skills that you neither care one iota about that innocent child nor do you have anything but malice toward her parents...just plain old malicious intentions. Consider this a practice run before you were to get asked similar questions by not so nice attorneys under not so casual circumstances. Is this the way MHMR under Jim McDermott operates, using vicious personal attacks through slanderous or libelous statements ?? Is this the explanation for the sense of fear of retaliation that have been expressed by MHMR employees and even members of NAMI? ? Something is very SERIOUSLY WRONG with this taxpayer funded agency if this kind of un-American behavior is accepted as standard practice.
By J.D. on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/4/11
   
"Enjoy your freedom WHILE WE ENJOY OURD UNDER MHMRTC"....ever heard of concepts called irony and oxymoron, MHMR MORONS?? Is the name of the victims' lawyer "Sue"?? We're new to this site so help us out. Is "Sue" one of the attorneys filing the lawsuits against you wrongdoers?? Thanks for letting the public know about what the Paradise Center organization need to help it do its good work. ---I.R.O.N.Y. again. We know families who have kids with the heart issue, and your dumb slanderous attack against that family is nowhere close to how parents and their physicians PLAN AHEAD to take care of such an issue. Keep on slandering and threatening this family and your dumb a**** will help pay for the fairly expensive but safe surgical procedure. Remember the old saying about not "writing a check" that your a*** can't "cash" ??
By Red Rebels on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
So this is where the famous band parent nutcases has landed?? And the boasting about having been a successful executive and major fundraiser, to boot. We hope this agency gives her much needed psychiatric treatment along with the salary her tightwad hubby crave so much. Thanks to MHMR and its competence+judgment challenged leadership for keeping her away from our kids and their successful band and its booster organization. Out regrets and prayers for that little girl and her family. And the many vulnerable people with mental illness who are forced to rely on MHMR and this mean female canine.
By Red Rebels on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Well, this is not a threat on CPS. One reason is to bring it to the parents attention since Elizabeth blogged on it herself. She said one of the guys were playing lottery hoping to win to pay for surgery. She said her dad was crying as she wrote. Some should of handed Steve a hanky and let him know its gonna take some work on the parents part to get her surgery.
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

I sure hope the parents of that child reads this DIRECT THREAT by the MHMR-TC Lowlife thugs. If that was my child and family I would make these a-holes pay...by ripping them new ones and ripping into whatever asset they possess, just for the principle of it. You don't threaten my child and family and expect me to take it lying down....CPS is equivalent to the IRS in terms of the terroristic-threat spirit of the law. These incompetent bullycrats just keep digging a deeper hole for themselves by willfully engaging in such classless and crappy behavior. If you read this Teresa and Steve, these MHMR-TC lowlifes JUST THREATENED TO GET THE STATE TO TEAR YOUR FAMILY APART. Kick their scummy asses and teach them a lesson they won't ever forget.
By MHMRTC Sucks on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Say lame duck MHMR executives & lame brain "peer leaders" saying stupid and false stuff. We maintenance people are getting so tired of yo desparat & waistfull ways. That old raggedy building on Jennings should be used for storage or torn down but not for people, even if they are so sick they're the wiser and know about how you stole their Tarrant county residents bond-funded community center at 300 Pennsylvania Ave. We sure hope you ain't talking about the commercial grade kitchen, a dang full sized one with almost $100k worth of equipments, that was stripped out last summer to make offices for Bravo. That building is designed as a multi-use "community center" for the clients. It was so nice that those clients voted to call it Paradise Center because compared to the crappy facilities MHMR had stuck them in, it was truly like being in Paradise for those poor people. But Jimmy boy had to steal it from them. We wish a real journalist would investigate and write about this dirty deed that is starting to making them arrogant Jack asses real nervous right about now. These MHMR execs have wasted so much money also on fixing up broken down quadplex called Jennings Place and on environmentlpally contaminated 507 S. Jennings for fake reasons. The 4-5 dummies getting paid to just keep 505 S. Jennings doors open weekdays are really hard to be around. And the two new vans have not moved since the Paradise and Miss Theresa moved away. Just wasting good tax money by dummies who can't even drive a little 8 passenger van to help clients get out into community like Miss Theresa did, like grocery shopping and regular outings. So much tax money but doing so little good for the disabled clients and the community they belong to. The Paradise group do A LOT OF GOOD with so little money and equipment. We talked to a couple clients this week who were so thankful that their organization and friends were helping them move to better living place. One was gonna everything if the Paradise people didn't help them move by the 1st of the month. That's probably why Paradise don't have much time or energy to waste like these puppets and there masters, wasting our tax money on stupid stuff to make them look good & be comtable BUT SCREW THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH BASIC BUT IMPORTANT LIFE &DEATH THINGS. We sick of these lazy thieves and there lies, from the gay bar district to the upscale Hulen Tower where they all look down on people and waste tax money.
By Fed up maintenance dudes on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

Right before our eyes are evidence of the lying, manipulating, abusing, and changing emotions of the so called peer leaders MHMR is paying salaries to front their consumer-run whatever the hell they call it program. Lying about the number of clients who got food at their "Memorial BBQ", then manipulating the Pathway folks to come make it seem more than 40 people actually attended, bumbling around about which mentally ill "peer leader" was in charge, then turning nasty on the Pathway folks because they spoke the truth. Then abusing the more disabled clients by sending them to spy and taking whatever hint of negativity about the consumer-run nonprofit to gloat and bash the all volunteer Organization. Desperate enough to take what was reported by client well-known for wild delusional ideations, such as being a member of the British Royal family and powerful psychic. Many of us working for MHMR are so frustrated with all this abusive behavior approved by the bigwigs, but we dare not say anything to anyone in authority, including the untrusty Board of Trustees, for fear of certain and destructive retaliation. BTW, lame-brained MHMR anonymous commenter, the Paradise group is doing what they as an independent organization want and when they want, not like your leashed up selves doing essentially menial labor to keep an extra clinic waiting room open and clean. You can't do what the Paradise pros were contracted to provide for MHMR. Before showing more of your ignorance, I know what I'm talking about because I was involved in those contracts and memorandi of understanding between the two organizations. The Paradise group was only being nice to not object to the Mcdermott bunch's deceptive use of the term "foundation grant" and the money used to fund the contract/"grant", especially the refinanced bond program that built the community center for clients use that's been stolen from them so that McDermott and his gals could afford their fancy multi-million dollar office tower. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE NOW CALLING THE DINKY OLD BUILDING NEXT DOOR "COMMUNITY CENTER", PUTTING ALL UTILITIES ON THE REAL COMMUNITY CENTER'S ACCOUNT (300 PENNSYLVANIA) , AND DIRECTING ALL MAIL TO THE STOLEN FACILITY ...TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT WHAT THE VOTERS APPROVED IS BEING USED AS INTENDED. But feel free to entertain everyone with your ignorance and brazen display of incompetence and dishonesty.
By MHMR staff on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/3/11
   
So sad to see such desperation and mental instability--repeatedly, within a 24-hour period, parroting the same lines given by the sissy and his gals in Hulen Tower to cover their scared a***. We doubt it's a conscience at work here--they don't have one it seems. We think its basic human reactions when perps are caught, cornered, and about to be captured and face justice. Such incompetence is amusing, but mostly S-A-D.
By Suzette on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11
   
Hey Incompetence Inc., people like my nephew would not have to be around your nasty attitude and manipulative ways IF MHMRTC DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM TO COME TO WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS with case managers just to get their weekly allowance. They have long waits and aren't allowed to stay in the cramped clinic waiting area so they're forced to go wait in your drop-out place. It's part of crooked ceo's scheme to make money off them: (a) bill the state for a 15-30 block of service even if getting their weekly check takes only a 5-minute "interface"; then (b) mhmrtc-bravo can count them ("capitation" is the fancy insurance term for counting heads) for billing purposes while they wait 1-2 hours at your drop-out place --most not knowing that you all simply see them as money-makers. Based on the facts, your "loyal" boy was not any member of the Paradise leadership. He hung around them because those people helped him get treatment for his medical problems and even helped feed him when he ran out of money. Just like they did with that erratic Lynne. It's appropriate that this upstanding "character" is co-Peer Leaders with Tony and Lynne, adding a new twist to the name "MHMR Cons".
By Bob B. on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/3/11
   
You "scrolled over me." Wah. I use the same name - an identifiable pseudonym - every time so people know I claim what I write. You, being one of many Anonymouses ... well, you still leave a "footprint" with your odd punctuation, repetitive phrases, mean spirit and addlepatedness. You're sounding more and more addled, agitated and desperate, poor ol' Anonymous. I'm concerned. Couldn't sleep last night? What's the matter? Conscience tickling you just a bit?
By CowHoof on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

Use of Anonymous....... I find this amusing and even funny....... Its ok to use the name CatsPaw.....Well Lets see the name Dog Woof or Cow Hoof would be similar right? What about the person who used the name Pretty in Pink? Shall someone use the name Awesome in Blue or SunshineYellow? I prefer Anonymous ! It may sound unknown but so is CatsPaw........etc......
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/3/11

These mhmr cons and their cya comments don't make much sense. The only sensible thing is that they're bumbling around after getting caught in some lies about details of their "Memorial BBQ". Don't you even know what Memorial DAY is and about, other than an opportunity for you to remind God and all creation how deeply dishonest you and your McDermott bullycrat gang is?? And our hard earned tax dollars are placed in these people's hands?? Forget about getting your facts straight, just get your made up story halfway straight, and coherent if it's not too much of a stretch. Pathetic.
By joe l. on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Low-life MHMR thugs just somehow has a need to let the world know how dark-hearted they really are. I agree that all these despicable comments either come from the higher ups in the agency or are approved heartily by these gutless bullycrats. The nasty personal attacks on that little family is just confirmation to me that MHMR did in fact lose a legal battle recently and are now scampering around in panick mode, expecting the truth and some overdue justice soon. That CPS comment is beneath contempt and could be pretty costly for the threat maker and the agency that is behind this defamatory campaign. These idiots are too dumb or just too lazy to even come up with a commenter name. Try "dumb a**"...or CatsPaw's label for you. Smell.
By Guelma on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Sorry cats paws.....I just scrolled over yours..... I don't need to read what you wrote. What's important is I continue to make the comments that Teresa Davis made a Big Mistake ! Now she is truly on her own and she now finds herself without a commercial Kitchen, two vans, awning, picnic tables, basket hoop, and toilet paper and the list goes on? Who's fault is this.......Teresa Davis and Linda Grooms. And now the only way they can get money is Sue ! Not grants...that would be too hard..... just have an attorney sue ! At least it is nice, cool, and calm at the Community center. They even put in a double wide commercial refrigerator! Paradise Center are losers !!!!
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Low-life MHMR thugs just somehow has a need to let the world know how dark-hearted they really are. I agree that all these despicable comments either come from the higher ups in the agency or are approved heartily by these gutless bullycrats. The nasty personal attacks on that little family is just confirmation to me that MHMR did in fact lose a legal battle recently and are now scampering around in panick mode, expecting the truth and some overdue justice soon. That CPS comment is beneath contempt and could be pretty costly for the threat maker and the agency that is behind this defamatory campaign. These idiots are too dumb or just too lazy to even come up with a commenter name. Try "dumb a**"...or CatsPaw's label for you. Smell.
By Guelma on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Lisa told me that she went to the new Paradise Center and it's not very nice inside. Only the old tv and old pool table and not much else to do but just sit around doing nothing. Since they no longer have a commercial kitchen there is no snack bar. No awning outside for smokers etc. I noticed alot of the so called donors were clients. Social Security probably would have a fit at whar clients are doing! Teresa Davis is now really on her own. Now without a van either. Now Tony and Lynn get the building, two vans. Commercial kitchen ! Life is sweet at Community Center!
By Anonymous on Paradise Center Press Release for Immediate Distri... on 6/2/11

"Anonymous" said: " ... What's important is the blogging not the name." Your "blogging" is only important insofar as to continue showing what a creepy, petty, mean little s**t-stirrer you are. However, I must compliment you - you have done a superb job of exposing some of dark underbelly of MHMRTC's leadership in your comments. The fact that McDermott & Co. have not shut you up is extremely instructive. I can only hope that the Paradise lawyers will agree. That little girl is no business of yours and stop trying to act as if you care about her welfare. You do not. You're only making yourself look worse, if that's possible. See aformentioned "s**t-stirrer."
By CatsPaw on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11
   
Pathway Peeps......no one is making you come to the Community Center. It's optional and you don't have to volunteer if you don't want too. Other peers will step up if you don't want to do it, so don't feel like it's a burden to do, just come and have fun.
By Anonymous on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Regarding "Lawrence doing the cooking" at the Memorial BBQ...... Tony staff was the one who planned early to doing the BBQing but, Lawrence asked to do it. He was also going to a "family" picnic on Saturday and he was going to be the "cook for them". No he didn't spend the whole time "eating", but, kept the grill always full of items to BBQ. You cannot find a better, more loyal client than Lawrence. He was a peer leader at the "old paradise center" so that is why someone is putting hiim down! Regarding the numbers of who showed up......there was 42 people on the list but, Lynn had expected around 75 so she contacted Pathways and they were also having a BBQ to help cook for the extras.
By Anonymous on A Memorial Day Message & Invitation From Teresa Da... on 6/2/11
   
Let's address the issue of Elizabeth. No comments from her parents and they have not addressed this issue. Looks like they put Paradise Center over their own daughters health. They need to "grow up" and be parents. Since Elizabeth brought this to peoples attention that she has a hole in her heart then something needs to be done about it. Wonder if this is something "Child Protective Services" would want to check out?????
By Anonymous on The Anonymous Explanation of the Paradise Center S... on 6/2/11

The Most Recent 25 Paradise Center Scandal Comments

April 19 was the last day we posted a compilation of Paradise Center Scandal blog comments. Originally this was going to be done every 3 days. But that proved too daunting.

Since April 19 a couple hundred comments have been made on the various postings on the Paradise Center Scandal blog.

To give you an idea of what people are currently saying about the Paradise Center Scandal below are the most recent 25 comments....

I'd hate to be the attorney representing this ceo and his bunch since I wouldn't be sure that they had told the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
By Anonymous on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 5/5/11
   
Amerigroup Community Health corporation should thank Paradise Center and its director because it pretty much got the Tarrant Service Area all to itself and raking in millions of excess revenue and unexpected profit margin. Maybe Amerigroup can make a large donation, from its millions of unexpected profit, to the Paradise organization in carrying out its mission to improve the quality of life and Heath of the community.
By Joyce on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/5/11
   
We've known Jim McDermott for a long time. He has little feeling for the mentally ill and even _much less regard for them as full human beings. We often get the impression that he sees himself as the head rancher and the clients are his nameless herd that he prods and uses to serve his own interests. The employees were viewed just a tad better because thy're not disabled and could fend for themselves. This scandal is the collision between his dehumanizing attitude and a group of self- empowered mental health consumers who refused to be treated as less than full human beings. As far as the cause for the human and civil rights of people with serious mental illness goes, this group's courage and determination have more than made up for the significant losses on the parts of neutralized advocacy groups like NAMI and MHA. History will show that this was a major victory for the rights and dignity of people suffering with serious mental illness and that they "overcame" IN SPITE OF BETRAYALS BY SO CALLED FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS, ADVOCATES, AND EVEN INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES CLAIMING TO SUPPORT CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY UNDER BOTH THE LAWS OF MAN AND THAT OF THE ALMIGHTY. This scandal revealed which master certain individuals really served and what kind of moral and ethical foundation they have.
By James S. on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/5/11
   
It must have been an uncomfortable few months for Jimbo and MHMR since their Medicaid HMO partner was on suspension since the first of the year, which resulted in most of MHMR clients being enrolled with the other HMO, and their competition, Amerigroup Community Health. Which means that special arrangements had to made for MHMR psychiatrists to contract as "providers " in the Amerigroup stable...until BRAVO Health -MHMR-TC could legally do Medicaid business. Ironic that MHMR-TC 's clever plan to work with BRAVO to double team Amerigroup got turned around, where MHMR-TC was forced to be business partners with Amerigroup even before their partner BRAVO. BRAVO must have many reasons to distrust and blame MHMR-TC for their losses. An industry analyst wrote last month that BRAVO will lose even more money since most people will not want to go through the hassles of switching HMOs after they've already gotten used to Amerigroup. Could this fact help explain the evasiveness of MHMR-TC leaders and their launching nasty but immature personal attacks on the Paradise leaders and their properties?? They were p.o.'d and desperate from realizing that they'd been outplayed at every turn by a weak consumer-run organization and their director Ms. Davis
By guelma on Anonymous Research Into the MHMR-TC Relationship W... on 5/4/11
   
So this is the little POD container that we've heard so much about. It's rather small to be able to contain all of the "junk" and "trashy" things that belong to the little nonprofit organization, isn't it? I can see how bad it made the mhmr agency look really bad. The loss of PR points is hard to put a monetary value on, but the money used to pay for this portable container, packing and loading, and staff time spent on trying to put out the fires from this controversy should be in the tens of thousands of dollars. That's not counting legal bills and loss of productivity that were suffered. At least BP put their leader front and center to deal with the aftermath of their catastrophe, which incidentally is turning into a scandal after recent revelation that BP had covered up prior problems that foreshadowed the catastrophe. Interestingly, there appears the be a growing list of questionable behavior on the part of MHMR-TC leadership that foreshadowed this mess they've found themselves stuck in. Ironically, legal action/s could be perceived as a less costly solution for the agency, financially, emotionally, organizationally, and so on. To effectively resolve a major tactical blunder of this kind will require lots of monetary payments to the injured parties and recovery time , and usually sweeping changes in leadership.
By P.R. consultant on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/4/11

BRAVO Health's use of propaganda, local politics, and money in the form of "donations" to select groups in the community is like a smaller version of the Chesapeake campaign to subdue the community in 2007-2008. Remember the billboards, bus wraps, and 30-minute infomercials telling us to " thank Barnett shale for jobs, education " clean-burning natural gas, and "get behind the Shale"?? And Chesapeake was tight with the City of FW and its Strongman Mike Moncrief. Don't forget all the donations to neighborhood associations and churches that served the dual objectives of having these groups exert their influence to push property owners to sign gas drilling leases with Chesapeake AND to "neutral-ize" them when situation like the abuses and exploitation of people on Carter Street were perpetrated. The neighborhood association did put up a brief but half- hearted protest to help keep the huge gas pipeline off people's front yards. But when it came down to taking a firm stance and to fight that bullying by the private+public team of CHK and Moncrief, there was no advocacy by the neighborhood association on behalf of the few who dared to put up a resistance against that tyrannous saga. SOUND FAMILIAR? ??
By COWTOWNER on Anonymous Research Into the MHMR-TC Relationship W... on 5/4/11
   
The thugs tried to rob and use this group's properties that were apparently just fine. Amazingly, everything turned into junk and trash as soon as these bureaucratic pirates got caught and forced to return a community center full of properties. Interesting how their perception of reality changed in response to exposure of their dirty deeds. Shameful and shameless.
By Artie on Some Words From The Watchful Clinic Case Manager A... on 5/3/11
   
We MHMR-TC employees recall the CEO making statements, both verbal and written, several times over the years that "as long as I'm here, Paradise Center will get the necessary funding to continue operations". Wonder how he's going to keep his word? We have a feeling it will be via some kind of legal instrument. Man, MHMR-TC has a savvy law firm providing it with sound legal counsel...the same lawyers and firm guiding Haltom City throughout its scandal with the economic development fund scheme that was reported by the FW Weekly last week. Small county, isn't it?
By hulen tower moles on You Can Now Visit The Paradise Center Website & Ma... on 5/3/11
   
Re the cooperation between consumer-run organization Paradise Center and a managed-care company to construct and deliver needed services, it really wouldn't have mattered because Jimmy McDermott would not have allowed it since that would seen as even more loss of control (and thus manipulation) for him. The man has become even more egotistical the longer he's been the big dog in Tarrant County, which was accentuated by the death of the most veteran county leader DA Tim Curry. Compared to Jim McDermott's 24 year rule over MHMR-TC, elected officials like the County Judge, County Commissioners, Sheriff, and DA are like rookies in county government. The massive ego, unchecked power, and lack of activist energy all contributed to the reckless behavior of this little autocrat. Employees, consumers, and even advocates and community leaders were simply pawns in the man's quest for more personal power and gain. Those seen as being in his way would be bought of, pushed aside, manipulated/charmed, or just bullied and destroyed like Theresa Davis and the Paradise Center organization, whose successful fight was a major for Jim McDermott and eroded most of the perceived power that he had carefully constructed over almost a quarter century as a "public servant". That woman and the consumer organization have done something historic in terms of resisting tyranny in Tarrant County and asserting the rights and power of mental health consumers in the state of Texas. Such an accomplishment is no big deal in more progressive states in the Union. But this is Texas, the state that's consistently in the bottom five in just about every way when it comes to the issue of mental illness and consumer rights and empowerment.
By Wayne on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/3/11

We still stay in touch with people we knew when we worked at MHMR-TC and they say that "the Creative Executive Officer " was caught lying about Paradise being "overbudget" by almost $30K in the last fiscal year. The Paradise people apparently called him out on such a big whopper by pointing out that the contract for in-kind grants placed control over every dollar in MHMR's hands. They're pretty sure that it was a dumb "pretext for the takeover of Paradise Center against their will and their legal rights". They point to hundreds of thousands of agency money thrown at making costly repairs at the Jennings Place quadplex and taking out the huge kitchen in the Paradise community center that's now a clinic-offices and the overpaying to buy the polluted lot at 507 s. Jennings, which took several months and extensive environmental clean up just to have a useless "medical record storage building " and a small picnic area...right next door to a busy gay bar and major intersection. So whoever it is from the clinic commenting about the crowded clinic in the mental ghetto surrounded by several gay bars is right on target. Nothing's wrong with gay bars, it's the choice by MHMR bigwigs to cram three neighborhood clinics into a crowded facility surrounded by bars, and the activities that usually go along with such an area (a few loud drunks, some inappropriate behavior, lots of alcohol, broke bottles nearby, etc.). Of all the places in Tarrant county, MHMR-TC could only use that location? And forcing people to take long bus rides or taxi services from all over the southern part of the county? Why? Why subject the clients or consumers to such hardship and, frankly, such unhealthy environment? But the executives are perched on a multimillion dollar office tower near TCU area?? Whose needs (and "wants") are really being served in all of this is the question that we keep coming across while working for MHMR- TC and particularly now after seeing the facts and the blatant dishonesty and plain disregard for common decency. For the sake of the many good employees like our friends, but especially for the thousands of disabled people under the care of the agency, we pray that much needed leadership change would take place soon before more damage and embarrassment.
By Anonymous on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 5/3/11
   
The now sanitized and sterilized drop in center has to be tightly controlled because as of May first BRAVO and MHMR-TC can start making profits off the disabled people who go there, many now not by choice because the MHMR staff make it a requirement that they go there while they wait for appointments to see someone in the clinic or to get their money from case managers to pay bills. That's a lot of control and power in the hands of MHMR. The reason for the quietness is partly due to power and control that's the MHMR Way. Plus, the four mentally ill peer leaders Tony, Sandy, Lynne, and Cam are having to deal with the stress of working under demanding MHMR-TC +BRAVO management along with working "over" their sicker peers who have many needs, annoying quirks, and great difficulties dealing with drastic changes and the loss of any say in how things are done as was the practice with their consumer-run Paradise Center. Please keep in mind that the four ill peer leaders MHMR-TC has paid to be in charge of running the place are more familiar with being powerless clients and mental patients rather than a seasoned professional like Teresa Davis. And as mentally ill people they have built-in anxieties anyways even without the additional stress. But that's what the CEO and Chiefs wanted. I'm doing what I can as an HR person to support them. But they hanging on so far.
By Anonymous on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/3/11
   
Some of our local tax dollars should go toward keeping this organization going since it has apparently shown over the years that it helps hundreds of people stay well mentally, socially, and even physically (they notice problems and get needed attention), which in turn means financial savings to our community. And doing so will enable the organization to help improve the quality of life and public perception of the whole community. Just like investments in the education and enrichment of our children make the community attractive for businesses and families, such little financial support for this group's work is a great investment for the perception of our community as well. Remember the expression about the quality of a community or society is often based on how it treats its weakest members. So far, Fort Worth and Tarrant County are getting just a passing mark in this respect. On the other hand, the community is summa cum laude, if not Valedictorian, when it comes to preferential treatment for the wealthy and the politically connected.
By Change the FW Way on You Can Now Visit The Paradise Center Website & Ma... on 5/3/11
   
One of the sleazy mhmh caseworkers even made threats to her client, a good friend of mine, for daring to join the Paradise group in th3ir non-violent protests against jim macdermot and his gang.she told him that the police could get involved and that she wasn't gonna bail him out. plus she told him he could go back to prison since he had served time for a crime he did a long time ago when he wasn't in his rite mind. yes its try that you have to be a client of mhmr or three other small agencies to get shelterplus apartment. section 8 quit taking names for their waiting list a few years ago. without shelterplus, people like me and my friends wood be homeless or cramped into those nasty group homes in the rough neighborhoods. i heard that the mean peer leader name Lynne has a nonprofit organization to provide nice group homes for mentally ill people, but after seeing how nasty shes been to teresa davis who was so kind and patience with her, i'm going no where near her. but i do feel sorda sorry for her sense mhmr is playing with her head and using her mental illness to make her use her meanest against good and decent people like teresa and even lynne's own peers who are members of paradise. she must really need money and not doing well with her mental illness because she used to hate mhmr and jim macdurmot where teresa had to talk to her about being appropriate and respecting even people she couldn't stand, like people who smoke, are overwait or too loud (everybody know what color they are). something should be done to make mhmr do the right thing for there clients. oh yea, n.a.m.i. was very kind to the consumers when linda groom and mr. and mrs. cates were in charge. consumer's quit n.a.m.i. when the new people kept us separate from them like wear not good enough for them or something. i wish n.a.m.i. would go back too supporting mental ill people again too.
By shelterplus consumer on The Paradise Center Scandal 3 Day Blog Comment Col... on 5/2/11

Add these factors together and one gets this scandal: a man in power over a large taxpayer funded agency + "local control" (i.e. little to no state oversight and having the Trustees and County Commissioners in his pocket) + a "corporate culture" in the agency that rewards conformity and mediocrity + an insecure egomaniac who knows how to use taxpayer funds and donations to his 501(c)3 nonprofit charity to buy political favors and to "neutralize" voices of advocacy + a group of people /victims not known to have any sense of empowerment to resist abuse and exploitation + a community that is rife with civic/political apathy and lack of moral clarity and leadership. Throw in the love of money and the corrupting power of money and the result was this contemptible abuse of public funds and authority to skirt common decency and the rule of law in the insatiable pursuit of personal power and private gain...by people entrusted to help those that they victimized. Along the line of abuses by priests and other religious authorities, teachers, foster parents, and such. A cruel betrayal of public trust.
By Retired Nurse on The Life of the New Paradise Center Continues to I... on 5/2/11
   
It looks like BRAVO Health has done business almost completely with the federally controlled Medicare program. So I would agree with the conclusion by the first anonymous commenter on 4/28 that this is major "foot in the door" for the corporation as far as state-controlled Medicaid program. Medicaid can be and often is much more profitable than the more stringent retirement (with some for disabled workers on SSDI) medical benefit Medicare. So I see why this market is so valuable to BRAVO and its new parent company Health Spring. No wonder BRAVO is plastering ads all over and handing out donations to groups like NAMI-TC and MHA . I still can't get my hand on information to explain why BRAVO was placed on a five month suspension to begin doing business by the state's Dept of HHS back in December. The information provided on this blog would make it reasonable to think that THE only reason for that rather surprising--and pretty harsh-- suspension was due to Theresa Davis' refusal to collude with the McDermott gang. Because thinking about it what McDermott and his gang did to Ms. Davis and Paradise Center were also rather surprising and extremely harsh. Aside from criminal prosecution, I can only think that something as serious and very consequential as such a financial matter would explain the disturbing decision and damaging actions on the part of the agency's highest level of leadership. Some with master level social worker licenses could be in some hot water with the State Board since they as professionals in that field should have known of the likely harm that such sudden and drastic changes would have on people recovering from very serious mental illness. But they thought that their victims would ever speak up and call them out like the Paradise group has. Give Ms. Davis a lot of credit for not only standing her ground but also for helping to give those folks the self confidence and cohesion as a group to fight and essentially win this David v. Goliath fight. That's very remarkable in itself there because it looked like the McDermott gang and cronies were throwing everything at them to make them lose heart and give up. Your blog shares a lot of credit because it helped expose wrongdoing and spread the truth against the MHMR-TC political machinery.
By Retired executive on Anonymous Research Into the MHMR-TC Relationship W... on 5/1/11
   
The bland comments were what nami-tc's masters told them to say. They've been directed not to say or do anything else. Pretty disgusting to see.
By nami mommy on NAMI Tarrant County is Very Interested in Supporti... on 5/1/11
   
For an agency that's always whining about lack of taxpayer funding to provide basic and essential mental health services, MHMR-TC sure does dole out a lot of money. To NAMI-TC, MHA, Mental Health Connection, DBSA, and the newly launched web information site, which is redundant since MHA is supposed to be the official information and referral "clearinghouse" for mental health matters. And MHMR-TC's mouthpieces dared try in earlier blog comments claim that their improper and hostile takeover of the consumer-run Paradise Center was due to b7dgetary constraints? Of course, after that goofy excuse was shot down they went on and tried other silly excuses. The constant was the mean spirited personal attacks on the Resistance and individual supporters from an innocent child to gravely ill individuals. These are major signs of a sickly organization. The sickness hurts 1,400 +employees and thousands of clients and their families and friends. Of course, other parts of the local healthcare See more...
By JPS administrator on Anonymous Research Into the MHMR-TC Relationship W... on 5/1/11
   
That shoddy letter does show very little regard for the PEOPLE who were upset and/or confused by the disappearance of their organizational leaders and apparently their beloved professional staff person. Another side of this guy's arrogance and self-centeredness is reflected in the statement about supporting consumer activities over the past 25 years. The number just happen to coincide with his tenure at MHMR-TC. He's saying that in the 17 years before his rule MHMR of Tarrant county did NOT support consumer activities. What other distortions has the guy committed? If he and his team were working in the private sector, they would have been suspended and/or fired a long time ago once the scandal was exposed. But unfortunately for the taxpayers and the people living with mental illness, they rule over a bureaucracy in a morally challenged community.
By Anonymous on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 5/1/11

I stopped by to drop off some donation at the new Paradise Center last week and was pleased to see about a dozen of the leaders and members busily trimming the hedges and putting things that had been boxed up. They looked very happy and said that they really like the new place very much, especially with the freedom from MHMR in terms of their use of the facility. Teresa Davis wasn't there because she and a couple of leaders were meeting with lawyers I was told. The leaders also reported that as an organization NAMI of Tarrant County has not even contacted them at all. But various members have, some have been quietly providing support all along, which is a good sign that all's not lost for the advocacy organization. Despite all the shock, pain, and betrayals these people have endured they seem very resilient and united. And very optimistic about the future.
By The G Family on You Can Now Visit The Paradise Center Website & Ma... on 4/30/11
   
It looks like Tony and Lynn got "outed" by their mhmr puppetmasters. You two clients may believe the b.s. those manipulators have been feeding you about how important you are and all, but the truth is they're using you for their own purposes. You're no "manager" to them. You are the mental patients who are well enough for them to use as "peer leaders", meaning you're the leaders of your peers , the very disabled people with mental illness that they're trying to profit off through Medicaid. You're in much worse shape than they even think IF YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND YOU DAILY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. In a way many of us feel bad for you since your abusive behavior is the result of manipulation by the mhmr executives in the hot seats right now. Still, mental illness is not an excuse for nasty words and destructive actions.
By Hulen Tower Pros on Comment Problems & A Tiny Pool Table at the Former... on 4/30/11
   
That letter right there shows the lack of feeling this dude has for the people who are sick with brain diseases. They are just numbers, "phases", and the means to building his own power as the big fish in the little pond that is Tarrant county. The women executives shown scampering around like trapped mice on the news report couldn't share the message with the consumer because we heard they were too busy going through Theresa's office and personal items. And the Clients Rights guy was too busy coaching the BRAVO people on the mhmr-tc way. I'm glad my son now goes to JPS for his psych treatment because these people just cannot be trusted to do even basic tasks properly. After all this, I want to know why are they still there? I would have gone to their Trustees meeting to ask but those people are in withn the gang that can't shoot straight.
By Dan the dad on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 4/30/11
   
Many of us MHMR-TC employees are anxiously waiting to see the legal attacks from the Paradise Center group and Teresa Davis because it looks like that will be the final push needed to clean house inside MHMR-TC. Sadly for us minorities, it looks like the legal route is necessary since there's no political will or moral backbone in this community. However things turn out, the courageous resistance to tyranny by Teresa and Paradise gave many hope and weakened the superficial perception of power that this crooked CEO had promoted, with precious tax dollars and public trust. Actually there's some whispering that BRAVO Health might take the lead in forcing the dishonest CEO and his incompetent cronies out since these people have cost the corporation millions of dollars and precious PR points.
By Kevin on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 4/29/11
   
One organization that has flown under the radar in this abuse of mental health consumers is the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Tarrant county. This organization is a chapter of the national Mental Health America. They. have a lot of money and political. connections. Not unlike the McDermott mhmr agency. Why has this mental health consumer advocacy organization kept silent as the wholely consumer-run organization Paradise Center was bullied and abused by the McDermottites? We venture to guess that it is probably infected by McDermottitis as well.
By scandal watchers on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 4/29/11

Jim McDermott and his puppets in the form of NAMI-TC have been caught in a major lie. What else have these people not told the truth about?
By Anonymous on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 4/29/11
   
Friends in the Tarrant county area just told us that Melissa Gibbons is busy working on getting her 25% bonus money for helping with the NAMI Walks fundraiser six months down the road. She's offering some gimmicky tote bag to get people to sign up early as "captains". We guess she's trying to justify her twenty hours per week AT $20/hour. Now that's monetizing off a good volunteer cause. We've organized major events for church, scouts, and PTA over the years but never considered getting paid for something we would do as volunteers. Especially not at around 300% of minimum wage, which would be what mental health consumers would get paid if they're able to go to work. It's ironic because all the money switching accounts between MHMR-TC+BRAVO and NAMI-TC don't really benefit the people suffering from mental illness at all. At least BRAVO Health doesn't try to pass itself off as anything more than a profit-driven organization. Honesty is what's in short supply down your way, not money or government funding.
By Anonymous on A Harris County Advocate Weighs In On The Removal ... on 4/29/11

As of April 19 the Most Recent 25 Comments to the Paradise Center Scandal Blog Postings

I previously indicated I would do a compilation of Paradise Center Scandal Comments every 3 days. But, that proved a bit too time consuming. That and 3 days of comments amounts to an awful lot of comments.

So, I decided that as long as the comments keep coming in, every once in awhile I'll compile the most recent 25 comments.

The most recent comments deal with the sudden removal of Melissa Gibbons as NAMI-TC President. A lot of comments are from MHMR cons making fun of the Paradise Center's belongings. I have already opined that not only is this mean-spirited, it is also illogical. Since MHMR-TC claims that Paradise Center was their operation, all these years, then why did MHMR-TC not supply new equipment to Paradise Center? Like furniture? It's like these idiots try to be on both sides of an argument with no awareness of their hypocritical contradiction.

And now the comments, starting with the most recent....

Actually you MHMR-TC gangsters, not very smart ones at that,need to give us citizens who pay your salaries and the new things you stupidly brag about over and over, by cutting out the immature attacks on the organization of people living with serious mental illness and your shifting version of basic facts. It's not only painful to see you continue down this dead end road, but it is downright embarrassing. We Cowtowners recognize b.s. when we see it. And you're full of it. Take your shameful act somewhere else. Hopefully far away from children, the elderly, and the disabled because you're toxic. Have you no shame or even some common decency?
By Suzette on Some Words From The Watchful Clinic Case Manager A... on 4/18/11
   
OMG!!! What other questionable actions on the part of people given the public trust are there? My fellow employees in the MR (idd) side are astounded by the abuse of scarce taxpayer funds in the hands of this ceo and his cronies. They are making the whole agency look bad. It will look even worse once lawyers get involved. How were these improper things allowed to go on unnoticed for so long? And why are the people responsible allowed to continue holding their positions of power? What's wrong with this community? ?
By mhMR staff on Why is Melissa Gibbons No Longer the President of ... on 4/18/11
   
hey tony the smile parente, that lynn chick aint that happy with you. she's just putting on a good face to keep the paycheck coming but she's been telling people what an arrogant **** and crazy person you are. so much for your spin about you two nuts being a great team, huh? plus her husband aint to much into your kind either. just like those male african-american clients; better watch how you talk to them. smile.
By Guess who on Comment Problems & A Tiny Pool Table at the Former... on 4/18/11
   
Word from hulen tower is that the execs involved in this scandal are starting to look for a quick exit, especially the chief of mental health sonja gaines who knows that as the only african-american exec she would be the first one that mcduh dude would throw under the bus. As in failing to have any kind of supervisory meeting or evaluation for theresa davis in almost a decade of work. it was a good thing that theresa was a self starter and ethical professional or else so many things could have gone wrongly with such bad managerial work from hulen tower big wigs.
By Sonja supporter on Fort Worth is Up A Creek Without a Paddle With the... on 4/18/11
   
Let me get this straight, BEFORE her unexplained abdication as president Melissa Gibbons and her husband held the two most important positions on the Board of NAMI-TC, president and treasurer. That's a major red flag right there. Some friends who are NAMI-tc members have also reported that the Gibbons and another officer were responsible for carrying out jim mcdermott's order to take this neutral position, which is really odd and not commonly practiced or even called for in this situation. It all comes back to these people feeling like they owe jim mcdermott their positions and stature, so they carried out his c.y.a. operation in spite of what it might do to their own and their organization's reputations. My guess is that they, like jim mcdermott and mhmr-tc,never in their wildest imagination conceived that the little consumer-run nonprofit would ever fight against mcdermott's bullying ways.
By Anonymous on Why is Melissa Gibbons No Longer the President of ... on 4/18/11
   
The MHMR gang under little jimmy mcDermott has slowly turned that community center facility into a clinic where people from three different clinics in the community are now crammed into one, with people waiting out in the elements after making long trips to keep their appointments for needed psychiatric care. The whole purpose for clinics dispersed throughout the community was for the convenience and easier access for the county residents, especially the poor and ethnic minorities. Many from our predominently African-American community have voiced concerns about having to make long trips into the current clinic which is located in the midst of 4-5 gay bars, something that is culturally foreign to them. JPS has a completely different approach to making healthcare accessible to all by placing clinics in different neighborhoods rathger than a centralized location, which adds to the stigma since people now know that the people who come to that location have some serious mental issues. See more...
By Stop-6 area taxpayer on NAMI Tarrant County is Very Interested in Supporti... on 4/18/11
   
I agree with the questions regarding the "disappearance" of Melissa Gibbons. However, I am even more perplexed by why little Jimmy and his girls are still allowed to remain in place and drawing big salaries after all the major screw ups and injuries they've inflicted on so many people and the community as a whole?? The cloud hanging over the agency gets darker and darker with each passing day of the McDermott regime. Does this guy and his gang have no shame?? Or any regard for the common good? Gutlessness, classless, and now shameless.
By J. Moore on Why is Melissa Gibbons No Longer the President of ... on 4/18/11
   
It looks like future blogging will focus on specific misconducts on the part of the MHMR-TC cons. Very likely coming out of lawsuits that show even more clearly that McDermottitus had infected much of the agency and anyone that came in contact with it. That's just the talk among certain professional circles.
By Guelma on The Paradise Center is Moving In to Its New Home a... on 4/18/11
   
Anonymous, let's discuss professional behavior by individuals in a secular setting such as Paradise Center or MHMR-TC. Regardless of Ms. Davis' matriculation at a Baptist school or her personal religious persuasion, it is inappropriate in those settings to discuss Jesus or "soul winning." If you are complaining that she doesn't do that, well, she's not supposed to do that. If you can "win souls" by living your convictions and modeling desirable behavior without such rhetoric in the professional setting, more power to you. I certainly hope that when you are typing up those hundreds of documents for your bosses at MHMR-TC that, 1) someone proofs you for typos, grammar and bombast, and 2) makes sure Bible verses are not being snuck in like fortunes in a cookie.
By CatsPaw on To the Friends of Paradise Center, Inc. on 4/18/11

These individuals and entities in Tarrant county are giving other individuals and entities with similar positions and duties a very bad name. Mental health care, services, and advocacy should be a respected and ethical part of modern society. But with the politicalization and abuse of public money and authority by jim mcdermott and his buddies, the loss of public trust and respect will take years to overcome. And possibly convictions or legal settlements. Besides the question about NAMI of tarrant county, the questions and scrutinity should focus primarily on jim mcdermott and the government agency under his stewardship. The questions also include why he and his team are exploiting the mentally ill people that they had placed in charge of the so called drop-in center. Those people would have a legal cause of action against mhmr and tarrant county for exploiting and abusing them, specifically in using them to be their mouthpieces to try and smear the Paradise people.
By public citizen on Righting Wrongs, Fighting Injustice & Ferreting Ou... on 4/18/11
   
Let's discuss Teresa Davis two degrees !! For having degrees for a Baptist School you sure don't take time to discuss God with your clients, or tell them that Jesus came, died on the cross, and rose again so that "all may have Eternal Life". What about soul winning. Is this not important for Baptist? or even Methodists?
By Anonymous on To the Friends of Paradise Center, Inc. on 4/18/11
   
Regretful Family and Baptists said... Cons take a stand for what we feel is RIGHT! Not everyone at the Paradise Center agreed with how they did things. Old Peers, were cranky at times, they kicked out "nice guy" Kevin" from off the board and being a peer. When Teresa Davis took a group to Hot Springs Arkansas her and Teresa Gable had a argument so she told Teresa Gable she "could not go in to Hot Springs with the group and she would have to wait in the house where they were staying." This was cruel on Teresa Davis part, because Teresa Gable had paid for the trip with her own money and didn't deserve such harsh treatment. There has been other times that different peer leaders or Teresa Davis has over reacted to things !!
By Anonymous on To the Friends of Paradise Center, Inc. on 4/18/11
   
Pros and Cons of the Paradise Center/New Drop In Center has generated alot of blogging !!! What's next???? or will everyone still be blogging in 2012 ????
By Anonymous on The Paradise Center is Moving In to Its New Home a... on 4/18/11
   
Let's hope JR doesn't send food.......at the opening of Randy Bees the food was good, now with new people doing it it's not very good food.
By Anonymous on The Paradise Center is Moving In to Its New Home a... on 4/18/11
   
Regarding Dale, moving plants out, etc. Let's not forget he may be on oxygen, but, he always has to take a "SMOKING" break. He might not be in the shape he is in if he "STOPPED SMOKING"!
By Anonymous on Paradise Center Press Release for Immediate Distri... on 4/18/11
Give us a break !!! No one wanted the dumpster type items that Paradise Center was using !! Even before Paradise Items was put in the Pod, Drop In Center was already order "brand new items to replace the Old" ! It was actually necessary to purchase the items because Paradise Center had not taken care of what "junk" they had and It was overly crowded with stuff everywhere. They cleared the stuff out as soon as they could!
By Anonymous on Some Words From The Watchful Clinic Case Manager A... on 4/18/11
   
Dear Concerned Sister.......It was not Anthony (AKA) Tony who wrote the anon's blog. Nor was it Tony who wrote about JR ! No one from the Drop In Center has any idea how JR got involved??!!! Whoever wrote the blogs is annonymous to the Pros and the Cons. Cons know very little about what is going on. They are getting the newest center up and running.
By Anonymous on URGENT: Please Help Find Fort Worth's Paradise Cen... on 4/18/11
   
It certainly is like peeling a rotten onion, with each layer comes another piece that contributes to the rottenness. MHMR and Jim McDermott or their Trustees need to explain what's going on because many people have been hurt by their decisions and actions, and now a reputable chapter associated with a powerful national organization. I do foresee even more revelations of misconduct, if not crimes, in legal proceedings.
By Wesleyan law student on Why is Melissa Gibbons No Longer the President of ... on 4/18/11
   
The lack of honesty and openness by NAMI-TC and MHMR-TC serve only to increase public distrust on both organizations and their leadership. Like I usually say to my kids when they were young, you don't hide and refuse disclosure if you don't have anything shameful you don't want others to know about. Both of these organizations are trying to hide some shameful things. And that's a crying shame.
By PR Pro on Why is Melissa Gibbons No Longer the President of ... on 4/18/11
   
I do see the Paradise group's game plan of taking progressively aggressive action to right the wrongs perpetrated on them by the MHMR-TC bullycrats. It looks like the group took its time in setting up operations knowing that MHMR-TC and Co. were forced t9 nervously await when the nonprofit would retrieve their property. Meanwhile many people had time to regain their senses and realize how the McDermott gang had deceived them. Now that they have their properties and facility, it seems obvious that Paradise Inc. is taking their fight to the court of law where lies could land the MHMR-TC liars in criminal hot waters. This little group and their supporters seem very resilient and capable of accomplishing their objectives, despite the odds stacked against them. Shills like Tony the smile guy Patented and other hateful anonymous comments seem to have no affect but to prove over and again that McDermott and his gang f******d up and are flailing away in desperation because they know See more...
By NOT Tarrant co. MHMR on Fort Worth is Up A Creek Without a Paddle With the... on 4/17/11
   
There appears to be a pattern from MHMR-TC of twisting just a tiny part of a truth to support a major lie. Time and time again. The latest example is with the Paradise group's properties. Even after they got called out for the robbery of the group's name and possessions, they still lied that all of them were inside the small POD, knowing full well half were stored nearby and using the other properties in their new Medicaid billing facility. Employees like me are embarrassed and fed up with all the dishonesty because we are the ones having to clean IP after the mess from the big shots are exposed. But at least we're not mentally ill like all those they've stuck in the drop-in program. The leadership of MHMR-TC is playing a risky game with people's lives.
By concerned MHMR-TC staff on Some Words From The Watchful Clinic Case Manager A... on 4/17/11

Well, is Melissa Gibbons still the president of the board of NAMI-TC? Can anyone confirm or disconfirm this alleged change in leadership that Pac-10 NAMI commenter reported?? I know there has communication from other NAMI groups with the Tarrant chapter as the result of this scandal revelations.
By nearby nami on A Message from Melissa Gibbons of NAMI-Tarrant Cou... on 4/17/11
   
The mhmr cons get credit for consistency. As in consistently nasty. Consistently showing little regard for the truth. If the not for profit group is to be believed, the MHMR-TC cons lied about how much and where the organization's properties are stored. Now it seems that these slanderous personal attacks on specific individuals and dishonest propaganda must have the full approval of the agency leadership...because the low level employees have little reason to spew such venom except to please mhmr executives whose egos have been seriously bruised by disclosure of their deceptive and exploitive ways. Unless he's naturally a hateful person, Tony Parente would have no reason to launch such disgusting verbiage. The three stoogettes are, well, stooges. Period. Despite Tony "smile" Parente's claim that he and the help name Lynn are a good team, Lynn apparently don't see it that way.
By mhmr talker on Paradise Center Press Release for Immediate Distri... on 4/16/11
   
It's remarkable that these pea-brained mhmr shills cannot even see the obvious ironies, such as a large government agency not knowing how to issue a press release but then tried to attack some professional looking work by the nonprofit group. Yes, Tony the smile Patented just has to shill for his mhmr masters. Even compulsively making corrections. Theresa and her group kicked your incompetent mhmr masters, despite almost two months of desperate schemes to stop them. Ironic. Oh yeah, little Jimmy would not be happy about you bringing up his cowardly ploy. You know, too scared to face Theresa alone and needing Susanna and a lame lawyer to hold his shaky bully body. You've no idea how badly shaken your boy is now, after getting humiliated at every turn. Plus the inevitable lawsuits. So instead of parroting obvious nonsensicle spin, you would be of more use if you go hold little Jimmy's hand or change his soiled panties. Smile ...or is it "smell".
By Hulen Tower staff on Fort Worth is Up A Creek Without a Paddle With the... on 4/16/11
   
The mhmr cons get credit for consistency. As in consistently nasty. Consistently showing little regard for the truth. If the not for profit group is to be believed, the MHMR-TC cons lied about how much and where the organization's properties are stored. Now it seems that these slanderous personal attacks on specific individuals and dishonest propaganda must have the full approval of the agency leadership...because the low level employees have little reason to spew such venom except to please mhmr executives whose egos have been seriously bruised by disclosure of their deceptive and exploitive ways. Unless he's naturally a hateful person, Tony Parente would have no reason to launch such disgusting verbiage. The three stoogettes are, well, stooges. Period. Despite Tony "smile" Parente's claim that he and the help name Lynn are a good team, Lynn apparently don't see it that way.
By mhmr talker on Paradise Center Press Release for Immediate Distri... on 4/16/11
   
It's remarkable that these pea-brained mhmr shills cannot even see the obvious ironies, such as a large government agency not knowing how to issue a press release but then tried to attack some professional looking work by the nonprofit group. Yes, Tony the smile Patented just has to shill for his mhmr masters. Even compulsively making corrections. Theresa and her group kicked your incompetent mhmr masters, despite almost two months of desperate schemes to stop them. Ironic. Oh yeah, little Jimmy would not be happy about you bringing up his cowardly ploy. You know, too scared to face Theresa alone and needing Susanna and a lame lawyer to hold his shaky bully body. You've no idea how badly shaken your boy is now, after getting humiliated at every turn. Plus the inevitable lawsuits. So instead of parroting obvious nonsensicle spin, you would be of more use if you go hold little Jimmy's hand or change his soiled panties. Smile ...or is it "smell".
By Hulen Tower staff on Fort Worth is Up A Creek Without a Paddle With the... on 4/16/11
   
Is this the obcessive-compulsive Tony or an MHMR-TC gang member still trying to spin the truth?? If the substantive aspects of this holds true, it's little Jimmy McDuhh and the gang who should be really worried. Anonymous MHMR-TC con, you or someone you know must also suffer from serious mental illness for you to speak so confidently about Teresa's husband. And what if he is? What's that got to do with anything? Why is little Jimmy and the girls hiding like guilty people and letting NAMI-TC and mentally ill people working under them take all the heat from their stupidity?? Smile?
By nami dad on Fort Worth is Up A Creek Without a Paddle With the... on 4/16/11