tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125220381040097197.post5655714132424945390..comments2023-10-24T11:55:57.073-04:00Comments on Maine GALert: Where is the GPS for Maine GALs?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00116455297447458871noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125220381040097197.post-29818763906434468972012-04-29T07:36:59.982-04:002012-04-29T07:36:59.982-04:00Anyone who has gone through the experience of havi...Anyone who has gone through the experience of having a GAL, who doesn't follow the statutes, who has an "inappropriate" relationship with one of the parties, who fails to do timely reports for the court, or who gets into major conflict with one or both parties- all mentioned by the Chief Justice- is apt to become a "bad sport" or be told by their GAL that they need "anger management".<br /><br />We are all "bad sports" when it comes to GAL reform. The best "anger management" would be serious reform of this gross injustice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125220381040097197.post-40815457329094494012012-04-29T06:49:42.780-04:002012-04-29T06:49:42.780-04:00It is unbelievable that a branch of government wou...It is unbelievable that a branch of government would license/create GALs , launch them into the world, and then, essentially, pay no attention to them. In our opinion it is irresponsible and dangerous to Maine children and families. There is no Judicial Branch handle on the work GALs are doing for the courts, either good, bad or indifferent. This program ought to be halted until there are the proper management tools that would allow administrative oversight.<br /><br />We sense that the Judicial Branch rests on the idea that problems will get dealt with by appeal at the end of a case or by a motion to remove GAL at the district court. Both are expensive solutions to dealing with a dysfunctional GAL. It is an example of (perhaps unintentional) socio-economic bias. Tools for removing a GAL are for the rich only!<br /><br />Both complaint actions are subject to an internal attitude problem that is pervasive throughout the Judicial Branch that anyone who complains is "a bad sport", dissatisfied with the outcome of their case. The current system seems to aim at making it difficult for "bad sports" to make a complaint, or, if they do, to get resolution. <br /><br />How can anyone be sure that only "bad sports" make complaints?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125220381040097197.post-21266000232509730492012-04-28T21:08:11.180-04:002012-04-28T21:08:11.180-04:00When questioned back in October of 2010 we were to...When questioned back in October of 2010 we were told by Mary Ann Lynch that the information requested might be protected. These are statistics of the functioning of GALs that was being requested. It took four months of asking and going to higher and higher sources to finally get the stats from the Judicial Branch. This information was also made available to OPEGA back in February 2012. The question that I and many others have is how meaningful is this data. It shows nothing other than the Judiciary has no control over GALs. There is opportunity for abuse that is be default sanctioned by the Judiciary.<br /><br />I have called and visited many courthouses in the state asking if they have any information about GALs. Any. In every case I was told no that is not something that they keep track of. Maybe Augusta does. Sadly we know that in Augusta there is no tracking of this information on GALs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00116455297447458871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125220381040097197.post-91496592966790737662012-04-28T20:27:52.657-04:002012-04-28T20:27:52.657-04:00"It's not that bad," is a pathetic s..."It's not that bad," is a pathetic standard for managing a program of GALs created by Maine's Judicial Branch. What are they doing? We don't know! We don't have any numbers for district courts.<br /><br /> The legislature and the Administrative Branches of Maine's government should demand facts and figures about GALs, or cancel GAL programs as management disasters.<br /><br />Instead the Judicial Branch's very limited statistics: 2 cases make it to higher level appeal on an annual average are seen has a triumph that he program is in super shape. Only 2 complaints! Wow! A simple GAL consumer, or market, survey would show otherwise. Many complaints at the district court level don't make it to an appeal.<br /><br />Appeals are about rich people who can afford to do an appeal, costing thousands of dollars. The JB, with no data, shouldn't get smug that "it's not that bad"!<br /><br />A complaint process shouldn't be the right of only those with money to do it. An appeal shouldn't impoverish families.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com