Clark County appoints permanent juvenile justice services director
John “Jack” Martin will officially take the helm of the Clark County Department of Juvenile Justice Services.
The Clark County Commission on Tuesday voted to ratify Martin’s appointment as director. He had been serving as acting director since October.
Martin’s annual base salary will be $129,685, according to Dan Kulin, Clark County spokesman. Martin replaces Russ Jennings, who was only on the job from Jan. 3-22, 2012.
Jennings’ base salary was $114,000. He took over Juvenile Justice Services after longtime county employee Fritz Reese retired. Reese led the department from September 2008 to October 2012 when he retired.
Martin said he hopes to continue to build on the alternative initiatives Reese started.
“To only capture kids in the system that belong in the system,” he explained. “And to try to keep minority youth out of our system.”
Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani believes it will be “tough shoes to fill,” but has confidence that Martin will do well on the job.
Commissioner Susan Brager said she has seen Martin’s passion for what he does. “I look forward to your future,” she told him.
The new chief of Juvenile Justice Services was also was thanked by Commissioner Lawrence Weekly for “his willingness to be out there making changes.”
Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.
