Mansion Fire Fallout

Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, Col. Tommy Davis stepped down last Friday as head of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Pressure had already been mounting on the DPS as it came under scathing scrutiny from the Texas Sunset Commission, and it got worse when blame for the Governor's Mansion fire got laid at the department's feet, so it was obvious heads were going to have to roll.

Davis' statement was about as brief and to-the-point as possible: "After 43 years and 9 months with the Texas Department of Public Safety, I am retiring on Aug. 31, 2008." Gov. Rick Perry was equally economical in his response: "Col. Davis has been a public servant of longstanding, and I am grateful for his distinguished service to the people of the State of Texas. I wish him well in his retirement."

Was Davis pushed off the ledge, or did he jump willingly? "His decision was entirely his own," said San Antonio attorney Allan Polunsky, chairman of the Public Safety Commission, which oversees the DPS. "I wasn't surprised. I feel that he has probably been contemplating this for a while. But nothing had been told to me until this morning."

Asked if, given the department's recent woes, Davis' retirement was a good thing for the DPS, Polunsky replied: "Not necessarily. The department certainly has issues that need to be addressed and initiatives that need to be implemented, and we all as a commission have recognized that. Could Tommy have done all that? Probably so. So it's not a situation where it had been determined, or anyone on the commission felt, that he couldn't do it, but he decided to move on, so we'll find someone else who is very well qualified to bring the department into the 21st century."

In other "Burning Down the House" news: Last week it was reported that DPS officers warned higher-ups that security for the Mansion and Capitol was inadequate before the fire, and on Tuesday, first lady Anita Perry announced the formation of a nonprofit to fund Mansion repairs.

On the former, the Houston Chronicle found a May 29 memo from Sgt. Adam Kinslow complaining that, "Our troopers are constantly being pulled away from their primary responsibility, which is to maintain public safety and security at the Capitol." The fire occurred on June 8.

And a Sept. 24, 2007, memo to Capt. Dale Avant from Lt. David Armistead of the Governor's Protective Detail warned, "The consequences of not providing a secure property can have a negative impact on our department, the Governor's Office and the safety of the First Family." Armistead called for "a minimum of two troopers per eight-hour shift." Only one trooper was on duty when the fire occurred, and that was after he had already worked an eight-hour shift at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Perry's office said the blame didn't lie with the governor. "Perhaps the trooper making the complaint was unaware that since at least 2002, DPS management has failed to fill over 100 commissioned officer vacancies each year and currently have 260 officer positions unfilled," said spokesman Robert Black.

As for the restoration, Anita Perry announced: "With Texans' help and support, this beautiful home will be restored and renewed to again reflect the pride and distinction of the Lone Star State." Mrs. Perry will chair the organization, and Pam Willeford is the vice-chair. Donations may be sent to Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund, PO Box 12878, Austin, TX 78711-2878 or submitted online at www.texasonline.com. For more details, call 866/751-5829.