Date: Thu, 04 Jul 2002 15:32:10 -0400
To: lettersor@oakridger.com
From: Jim Ramsey
Subject: Letter to the Editor

To The Oak Ridger:

Gina Grubb's "Guest Comment" published July 4th about Safety City and the YWCA was very interesting. I had thought I "was the Lone Ranger" in my own disheartening experience with the local Y.

Quite similar was the experience the District Attorney's office suffered several years ago with respect to our federally-funded domestic violence program and the YWCA regarding program management and fund-raising behavior.

"In the begining there was a need (domestic violence), and there was a response", as Gina puts it. The YWCA's and the DA's joint efforts were at first harmonious and constructive, and we worked responsibly towards the goal of providing assistance to women victims of abuse. Then the zealots elbowed in with stylized personal agendas.

The DA's office is legally and ethically bound by professional standards of prosecution, and while engaging in "advocacy" must nevertheless steadfastly eschew any taint of such overzealousness as tends towards vigilantism or blatant "publicity stunts" in cases, and in "training".

Thus, we held the reins tight. In her article about Safety City Ms. Grubb's explanation of ORPD's treatment evokes my experience thereupon: "But then the mud began to sling! Half-truths, innuendoes and flat-out lies began to circulate..."

Sadly, I was compelled as District Attorney to make it unmistakably clear upon the record that our office was not in any way, shape or form associated with the YWCA's domestic violence program because its conduct was inconsistent with the standards governing our office. This was in order to protect the validity of our convictions. We withdrew from our "partnership" with the YWCA. I did this in several ways, including posting formal words of disassociation at the Register of Deeds office for due diligence purposes.

Now I no longer attend YWCA events and fund-raisers, albeit reluctantly since previously I had been an avid supporter of their concept and various causes; in fact, fifteen years ago I enjoyed co-teaching an adult conversational French course at the YWCA, and was much gratified by the experience and the friends I made. But at my age I simply don't need it in my life--such an atmosphere of vituperation and bad feelings. To quote Gina again, "It's unfortunate that an organization as community-oriented as the YWCA has chosen to take such a vengeful posture...(and) is so audaciously burning bridges that once provided their lifelines of support."

Almost thirty years ago I attended the ground-breaking for the current building, and have preserved several rolls of photo negatives of that historic event, showing the festivities and the good people involved at that time. I hope again someday to have such a good relationship with that charitable association.

But first the Oak Ridge YWCA must demonstrate more program responsibility, and must demonstrate that they have come into compliance with charitable solicitations requirements and safety considerations respecting the shelters and victim assistance.

Jim Ramsey, District Attorney General
Seventh Judicial District
149 North Main Street, Clinton, TN 37716
865-457-5640