Barreiro, going to DJJ, scrambles House race

In a surprise twist that will affect the GOP's quest to take back the HD 107 seat, Gus Barreiro is taking a job with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The former lawmaker has long wanted to work with the agency but when the opportunity seemed to fade, Republicans courted him to run for his old House seat, now held by Democrat Luis Garcia of Miami Beach. Barreiro declared he was running but never formally filed.

Barreiro, who starts his new job Monday, will be chief of residential operations and quality improvement. He will earn $72,000.

Comments

Good for Gus. He will do well at DJJ and given the 2008 political landscape, would have faced an uphill battle against Luis.

This is a win for everyone.

I disagree with 12:01. Gus was very well known and liked in that district and would be, at a minimum, an even money bet to win the seat back.

Good luck at DJJ. Wish we could have had you back in the House, Gus.

Good luck Gus, Frank, Rod and you are going to make a great team and make a big differance for all the kids that come into the system.

Wow! now that is good news. Everyone here at DJJ is looking forward to working with you. Keep your eyes on the ball and watch out for those who just want to live off the State and are not willing change. I and many more of us are happy.

So what position is this "criminal justice" major who attended college but didn't graduate going to have? Something in the Senior Management level where connections rather than credentials count? I'd bet that they're not hiring him at base!!!!

So who gives a darn that the people who actually have the credentials and training are the least paid in the nation? Not this Legislature or Governor - that's for sure!

I see, the purpose of state agencies isn't to serve the people of the State of Florida - oh no, it is to provide full-time employment to former legislators at inflated salaries while they lay off those who actually do the work.

Gus:
you're a *itch
you're my *itch
you're my *igga

love and kisses
Ralph Arza

[UF Grad Student]

I don't think that was really Ralph Arza.

GOP House Campaigns = shambles

I think it really was Ralph Arza. It sounds like something that he would do, but I am sure that he prayed 1st.

Is this the same Rod that was fired "resigned" during the Bush administration?

Yes the Rod that left DJJ under Bush, the Rod that refussed to cover up for Bankhead and Bush, yes the Rod that tried to do the right thing, yes the Rod that was not a sell out for a paycheck. I will take that Rod any day. Get your facts before you show your a..!

FYI: Rod Love was fired under Schembri... The inspector general looking into unethical dealings in the way he handled, managed, approved and paid friends...I mean contractors... What a joke

them piggies do take care of each other, dont they?

why work hard at running for an office you may lose -- and dont pay all that much, anyhoo -- when your pals can land you a soft gig where the paper you push aint heavy, but the pay check and pension sure are!!

semper piggies!!

it will take generations to rid this state of their stench!

Your a joke, you have no idea what your talking about. Schembri was only for Shembri and selling his book where-ever he was talking. We are so tired hearing about his wifes meatloof. Rod, was forced out because he refussed to lie for the department.

We welcome Frank, Rod, and Gus joining DJJ. I know these guys believe in kids and making sure that we provide the best for kids.

Posted: march 18, 3:52 what have you ever done in your life that realy done a differance for kids.

Dont know much about DJJ or the Rod guy, but fully agree that the Bush administration was full of corruption and corrupt appointees that jeb turned a blind eye to. Get rid of all Bush agency people, they are all either directly corrupt or eagerly enabled corruption to line their pockets.

[Leadership]

Gus go for it, you deserve it and you have demonstrated through actions your committment to kids. Would have loved to serve with you again in the House but, your making the right call. We in the House of Representatives will be here to support you and Rod and Frank.

I can tell you that bringing Gus to Djj show the type of man Sec. Peterman is; smart and it shows that he wants to create a team of doers not takers. He has gained my respect and faith in the future of the department.

5:32 - It does show what type of man Sec. Peterman is - one who takes care of his own. State employees with the education, credentials, and experience who actually DO THE JOBS and WORK WITH THE KIDS are the LEAST PAID IN THE NATION and Gus, who couldn't manage to graduate from college and took a few introductory courses in criminal justice, is now being hired, above base for a Senior Management position to share his experience as a Legislator with the agency. There isn't money to pay living wages to the people who actually do the jobs, in fact, they are going to be paid LESS THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR, but there is plenty of $$$$$ to pay a former member.

Yes, we know the value system of the Secretary - take care of your own and forget those who actually do the work.

I would like for someone to investigate why this man Rod was fired. I heard he took state property and gave it to his church. Can someone do the research?

Hi posted 6:05, if your so unhappy working for djj why work their? And if you do not work their, get involved and make a differance but, please stop your whinning. It is so funny how easy it is to complain about things, people, work, system, goverment, kids and all the other things you complain about. Look in the mirrow and ask yourself; What have done lately?

8:49 - what have I done lately? Humm, I'm a volunteer mentor, I volunteer at a soup kitchen and my job involves working with abused children. I have the education (I actually graduated from college & have a graduate degree), the training and the experience and I DON'T make $72,000 a year.

By the way, what have you done this week to make a real difference in someone's life?

Gus, Rod and Frank together will will bring a positive attitude to an agency that needs it so badly. Your and mean all your friends here at djj wish you all the best and God Bless. May God protect you all as you walk among the snakes that bite.

Posted 9:54, you work with abused children with that attitude, SHAME! Your so judgemental and you feel so sorry for yourself, like somehow because your not making enough money it is someone elses fault, it's not. You putting out such negative thoughts will only come back at you. What do you gain by being hurtful and negative.

State workers are the lowest paid in the nation!!!! And you would be angry too if it was happening to you.

People who worked hard and sacrificed to get an education and continue to sacrifice, making a difference in children's lives by working for an agency that pays their front line employees - you know the ones who actually work with the kids and have the education and expertise to do so - squat! It isn't unusual for such employees to have to work additional part-time jobs just to make ends meet. And now the new Secretary hires a buddy of his who couldn't be bothered or was incapable of graduating from college $72,000 a year and puts him in an incredibly responsible position.

Just shows what his and your values are - or are you next to receive a "Senior Management" position? No wonder the agency can't afford to actually fufill its mission - it has to spend its money hiring former members without education or experience or training at outrageous salaries and then sluff the work off onto those who with th education and training and experience while paying them squat.

Inquiring minds want to know: Who were the other candidates for the position? Was a better qualified person not offered the position in order to give it to Gus?

Frank you are a great man and I wish you the best. Your biggest mistake will be hiring Rod. SPT cant you investigate the past happenings at DJJ

Barreiro is at least as qualified as some of the recently hired higher paid staff.

All of whom are "political" appointees. If you actually have the education, training, and experience the one thing you do know is that you won't be hired as Senior Management. Those positions are only for the politically connected!!!

At least he isn't making $100,000 like the medical assistant hired to head up PERC.

Or over $100,000 for the recent law school graduate who has never set foot in court and is the General Counsel for one of the agencies!!!!

[Lisa Smith]

As for those who write on this board in a negative manner; all it deonstrates is that you are all disgruntle people and do NOT WANT CHANGE. As for Gus having an education he does have one (check your facts), as for Rod Love, he WAS fired for NOT selling out his people and taking a stand for JUSTICE!! Instead of spending your time criticizing, if you feel you can do better apply for a position...it was available but it is EASIER to talk about people and to join the evil then to to the right thing and SERVE GOD!!!

Lisa - you think you know? Humm, so share with us - When did Gus graduate from college - what college - what was his major? What experience has he had in "criminal justice" especially with children????

Inquiring minds want to know!

hmmm... Gus' legislative page...

Education: Mt. Scenario College, Wisconsin, Criminal Justice major

Air Porth's legislative page...

Northeastern University, B.S., 1991; Nova Southeastern University, J.D., 1995

Notice any difference?

and a little about the college he supposedly attended...

http://media.www.riponcollegedays.com/media/storage/paper944/news/2002/08/31/NewsBriefs/Mount.Scenario.College.Closes-2415805.shtml

Interesting - so he served in the House from 1992-1998 (at which time, at least according to the House, he didn't have a college degree) and then all of a sudden he has a degree 1 year BEFORE he came to the House and earned a LAW DEGREE while serving in the house (and he doesn't appear to be a member of the Florida Bar). Strange and stranger how political patronage works!!!!! At least for the "connected" people!!!

Oops! Sorry - I didn't realize you were talking about another member.

No matter though - Gus is a college drop-out with no experience or training in the agency he is going to - clearly Politacal Patronage is alive and well under the Crist Administration (as much as it was under Jeb).

[the lone star state]

I am glad that Gus has joined the DJJ family. He was instrumental in getting those boot "death" camps closed. What about Rex Uberman an Mary Mills, who have been double dipping in contract money? Did you Floridians check these people ou before hiring them? Re they leaving?