Dear Advocate Editor:
WOW! I've got to say, the 2006 Fall Institute was the best conference I have attended in the 30 years I've been invovled with VJOA/VJJA. The speakers, celebration, setting, and award recipients were all top notch. Each day brought a new experience, a new way to "show off" our organization and its membership. The connection to the greater juvenile justice comommunity and the child-serving state agencies grows each year and is key to our continued growth. Our VJJA leadership is selfless, dedicated, and, to say the least, quite remarkable! I thank the conference planners from the bottom of my heart and commend everyone whow worked as part of the teasm to pull the event off with flawless perfection.
I am already looking forward to next year's event in Roanoke.
Mike Sawyer
Tidewater Regional Group Home Commission
Dear Editor:
Just wanted to send a note of thanks for the Lifetime Membership. After receiving it, the reality hit me that I had been a member of VJJA for more than half of my life and building relationships with all of you has been a wonderful experience. The Commonwealth can be proud that such a fine group of professionals are in charge of helping our troubled youth.
Six years ago, I spoke to the association asking our younger members to step up and take the leadership role and you have done that! I am extremely proud of the leadership and the direction we are heading.
I love all of you and will miss you when I retire. Keep up the great work and know that the "Old Man" will be checking in on you from time to time.
Richard Hagy, Former Superintendent Highlands Juvenile Detention
retired 12-31-2006
[President's Note: Richard will remain a member of the VJJA Board of Director's heading up an ad hoc committee on retired members remaining actively invovled]
Dear Friends:
I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to receive the Robert H. Sutton Award at the 2006 VJJA Conference. The conference itself was a triumph. All of you on the Board and the planning committee should be very proud. I am deeply honored by the award and appreciate all that VJJA has done for me.
Please convey my thanks to the entire membership and let's continue to make Virginia the best juvenile justice system in the country!
All the best,
The Honorable David W. Marsden
Virginia House of Delegates
[Note: See Award Press Release on Delegate Marsden's website:
www.marsdenfordelegate.com]
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