MUCH to my continuing dismay, I read that Mr. Daniel L. Camacho, chairman of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, has again attempted to serve a notice of termination without cause to Mr. Tom J. Camacho, the executive director of GCDD for some unknown reasons. To satisfy my curiosity, I have the opportunity to converse with a member of the Council about Tom’s work.
I have lived with a family member with disabilities for many years and my heart goes to them, especially to Tom. However, it’s unfortunate to continue hearing and reading in the newspaper that the same lead agencies responsible for ensuring the support and services for people with developmental and other disabilities had come to a standstill. This same agency which is a federally mandated program has been put on the spotlight because leadership problems remain unsolved. I cannot believe, Chairman Camacho, your unsupported actions and abrupt decisions against the executive director without realizing the negative outcomes you have created and for completely misguiding the public. You’ve made the governor, the attorney general and the rest of members of the Council look very bad and you’ve created liabilities in government for ignoring legal advices, personnel policies and for stalking and harassing the executive director.
Have you ever thought of weighing all the accomplishments and ongoing progress especially Tom’s initiative and success in recently securing $1.385 million in federal financial assistance for people with developmental and other disabilities? Doesn’t it ever occur to you that your function and priority is your federal mandated responsibilities listed on the DD Act on behalf of parents with developmental disabilities including your child? But instead you continue to choose to find ways to occupy yourself with strategies on how to get rid of the executive director for no reason at all. You’re constantly being quoted in the paper as saying that the reason the executive director was being terminated was for “lack of performance.” This is contrary to the annual performance evaluation results of the executive director. As a member of the public, I honestly would like to know what have you accomplished as a member and chairman of the Council for people with developmental disabilities? Probably nothing!
I have witnessed numerous positive results from Tom’s efforts. Tom has worked his way up the ladder and up until this day he continues to enjoy working for people with developmental disabilities and families.
Be very mindful that Tom is well know today at the national level. In fact, the Council’s federal Region IX and Washington, D.C. Office stated it best: “We, the Region IX and Central Administration on Developmental Disabilities in Washington, D.C. have a professional and high opinion of Tom Camacho.”
As someone who lives with a member with a disability, I demand a public apology to the executive director including those individuals behind your moves. The Council has numerous federal responsibilities. You as the chairman who claims to be a parent of a child with a developmental disability need to move forward and help the Council implement its goals.
Leave Thomas J. Camacho alone!MARTIN M. SABLAN
As Matuis, Saipan
