Whistle-Blower #10

    The other attendees to Mary Quinn Gunther Sale's workshop were discussing among themselves in very low voices their beliefs that the U.S. Navy officers who were allowing themselves be videoed about their abuse of their children were not aware that their videos would be given by York County Social Services to Mary Quinn's business enterprise to show to people who paid for her workshop.
There was also worry expressed because these workshops were being given in Colorado as that was where her business partner lived.
    I had heard that Mary Quinn had been awarded the Commissioner's Medal by State Welfare Commissioner William Lukhard for teaching public social workers Salvador Minuchen's family therapy that she had learned at the Philadelphia
Child Guidance Center. I do not remember hearing that through any notices from state welfare. I wasn't aware of a Commissioner's Medal existing. It seems strange that such an award would be made as public social service agencies were not recognized as psychotherapy centers. Social service agencies were overwhelmed with their traditional duties especially those of providing foster care and child abuse/neglect protection. If this medal was given, I think it was done on the quiet as it would have been highly controversial. If it was given, I think it was testimony to the power of the Director of York County Social Services, Betty Copland, who wanted her social worker, Mary Quinn Sales Gunther, and York County Social Services recognized as the bright stars of Virginia's public social services agencies. Peter Nickerson, MS, MSW, former Director of Williamsburg Social Services Bureau in Williamsburg, Virginia for 8 years. 352-359-0850.