Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ The City of Salisbury had ample warnings about starting a high-speed municipal broadband utility, but they chose to ignore them.  Just about everything that happened to other failed municipal broadbands, happened to Fibrant.  Hiding the failure, depleting the water and sewer funds and gobbling from general fund, melting down city services (including our police force), blowing the original $33 million dollars in certificates of participation, hiding fibrant employees in other city departments (Magic Math), and so forth.

Today Salisbury is saddled with a monumental albatross eating Salisbury alive. The chickens indeed have come home to roost.  AT&T U-Verse GigaPower and TWC Maxx are providing abundant super-highspeed internet at cheaper prices than Fibrant.  Fibrant is a non-competitor.  In the arena of TV, Fibrant can not compete with AT&T U-verse TV, TWC Cable TV, DirecTV (Now part of AT&T, and Dish.  All of competitors offer TV at cheaper Prices and offer “TV everywhere” on internet enabled devices (Fibrant lacks this ingredient). And many savvy consumers are “cutting the cord” and enjoying a mix of antenna TV, IPTV (Roku 3 and 4) and KODI. Lest we forget Fibrant charges more for their TV.

Fibrant Cat 5 VOIP phone is blown away in price by other VOIP phones.  Salisbury needs to find a way to let go of Fibrant.  They can’t afford its “luxury”.  Nobody will be coming to Salisbury to start a high-tech business when so many far more livable and safer places exist in North Carolina.  Do high-tech people want to endanger themselves or have their buildings sacked by our city’s teaming army of break-in artists?  Would they care to send their children to some of the worst performing public schools in the state? Many folks are looking to escape Shotzbury, not come here. It won’t be long before homes will bring 50 cents on the dollar of what their value was in 2008. A city can only have so many major problems before it bellies up.

Here is the original warning from the John Locke Society:

http://www.johnlocke.org/research/show/policy%20reports/198

Here are two outstanding studies that are must reads to understand why so many municipal broadbands never do the do:

http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/03/01/some-highly-recommended-reading-understanding-the-debate-over-government-owned-broadband-networks-and-wi-fi-waste/

RFP Staff

♦ Ronay Rodriuez Zaguilan,38, was arrested around 10 p.m. Thursday by Kannapolis Police and charged Thursday evening for alleged first degree rape and taking indecent liberties with a child. Zaguilan was allegedly a friend of the victim’s family. Zaguilan photographed with unknown child:

Zaguilan, a handyman and laborer, was charged with rape (first degree) (felony) and indecent liberties with children (felony). Under a secured $250,000 bond, Zaguilan is being held the Rowan County Detention Center. Zaguilan’s photograph of cookie:

14-27.2 First Degree rape.

(a) A person is guilty of rape in the first degree if the person engages in vaginal intercourse:

(1) with a victim who is a child under the age of 13 years and the defendant is at least 12 years older than the victim: or

(2) With another person by force and against the will of the person, and:

a. Employs or displays a dangerous or deadly weapon or an article which the other person reasonably believes to be a dangerous or deadly weapon: or

b. Inflicts serious personal injury upon the victim or another person; or

c. The person commits the offense aided and abetted by one or more persons.

(b) Any person who commits an offense defined in this section is guilty of a Class B1 felony.

(c) Upon conviction, a person convicted under this statute has no rights to custody of or rights of inheritance from any child born as a result of the commission of the rape, nor shall the person have any rights related to the child under Chapter 48 or Subchapter 1 of Chapter 7B of the General statutes. Ronay Rodriiez Zaguilan:

Zaguilan’s playhouse:

RFP Staff

♦ Claudie Jay Boyd, III, 22, living at 825 Green Street in Salisbury got a surprise visit from an officer from the Department of Probation and Parole and the Salisbury Police. The officers, on a warrantless search, buzzed through Boyd’s cramped living quarters and found digital scales behind a vent as well as a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Serial records showed the Smith & Wesson was stolen from a Salisbury vehicle several months back. Also found was a Mason jar containing 10.8 grams of marijuana.

Boyd was charged with possessing stolen goods (misdemeanor), simple possession of a control substance schedule IV (misdemeanor), and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

Under a secured $2,500 secured bond, Boyd was detained in the Rowan County Detention Center and later released.

Claudie Jay Boyd, III Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1394994&searchLastName=boyd&searchFirstName=claudie&searchMiddleName=j&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

CarolinaJournal.com/Jon Ham

Media Have No Independent Standards:

http://www.carolinajournal.com/daily_journal/index.html

Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ For days now I heard from our friends in city hall and the Salisbury Police Department that Chief Collins was going to be bounced after the election.  Too much heat and too many complaints were being directed at him, his performance, and the lack tangible police presence throughout the city, now a hotbed of violent and property crime.  My email box filled up with Collins’ email “resignation” posted below.

I regard Collins as someone lacking good judgement. He shows no real knowledge about statutes, law enforcement, the practice of veracity, or knowing anything about basic first amendment rights, or the proper care of K-9’s.  Rory was a “yes” man at the right time 5 years ago when a former city manager looked around for a chump who would follow a script.

In Collins 5 years of service the Salisbury Police Department became pretty much a non-factor in quelling crime.  The city became overwhelmed by a heroin, meth, and crack epidemic, the proliferation of street gangs, a backlog of unsolved murders,  a rising tide of violent and property crime branding Salisbury, N.C. as a per capita dangerous city.  The department became a sideshow of police brutality cases, a lack of case clearance, and zero transparency (they hide crimes and cook the stats). According to Collins 75% of its officers left within a few short years for better pay elsewhere. Now there’s a sexual harassment case going on against several of the department’s policemen.

There was never any lowering of crime in the West End.  If police don’t show up on a call, they don’t file a report.  No report–no crime.  Ask William Peoples about it.

Some areas of Salisbury have virtually no police patrol.  Meanwhile house break-ins, physical assaults, car stealing and vandalism are common throughout the city.  Bullets go ripping into occupied and unoccupied houses on a regular basis.  Pizza deliverymen are losing pizza, wing orders, and cash almost every week.  Does anyone recall Salisbury’s “Great Train Robbery of 2013”?

Is it any wonder that working class people of all races are stampeding out of the Bury and unloading their houses?  Crime was the number 1 issue in the city council race.

As for Collins alleged academic background someone might want to investigate how he obtained his alleged Livingstone diploma within an extremely short period and based partly on his alleged Marine Corps service.  Also several attempts were made to obtain public information requests for his city gas card and city credit card records.  Of course city hall has refused to answer.

On the plus side, the Chief’s resignation will likely bring a lift in morale among many police employees.

Yesterday’s email from Collins:

“From: Rory Collins
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2015 11:23 PM
To: Police Users
Subject: Retirement

Friends,

It is with a bit of anxiety, and also with a lot of joy and excitement, that I announce to you my decision to retire from the law enforcement profession. I plan to make this official on Monday of next week by submitting a 30 day notice prior to retirement.

This decision has not come easy and is something I have considered strongly for some time now. After much thought and prayer, I am making this decision 100% on my own, as I simply feel the time is right to begin that next chapter of my life. That chapter, I assure you, will be one that involves much less stress than the chapter I am now choosing to close!

One thing I can share, without a doubt, is that, during my time as your chief, I have stood on my values and made decisions which were based upon the high standards that I have always tried to uphold for our agency. Many of those decisions, which I had to make during the course of my chief tenure, were very difficult and life-changing, but each were made with this same standard in mind and based solely upon what I believe to be right.

I have also stood firm in many situations in support of this department and the great work that you all do. As you know, I have had many situations in which some from our community have alleged wrongdoing against our troops, our department, and certainly myself! In those instances, I have been able to stand firmly against them and produce evidence to counteract those complaints. As I’ve said many times, as long as we are doing the right things, for the right reasons, right will always prevail.

Throughout my career, I have truly been blessed to work with some of the finest men and women that the policing profession has to offer. I am extremely proud of our department and each one of you. I firmly believe that, though we have a lot of young and developing officers among our ranks, our agency is stronger than it has ever been in many ways! We also have a very strong and well-developed leadership team, who are highly capable of carrying on with our goals/objectives and daily missions. Lastly, our agency has enjoyed a significant reduction in citizen complaints over the past 4.5 years and our crime rate continues to trend downward each quarter. I have every reason to be very proud of your accomplishments and totally confident in your continued successes!

I want to wish each of you the best. For those of you who have been my support and backbone over the last several years, I truly thank you. I pride myself in being able to leave our agency knowing that I gave my best each day, that I let the Lord lead my tenure here, and that I never wavered from my values and principles no matter the person or the situation.

I will continue to pray for your safety, as I have done regularly.

Sincerely,

Rory Collins

Chief of Police

Salisbury Police Department”

UNC-TV/N.C.Weekend

♦ Video: The Price of Freedom Museum in China Grove, N.C.:

Doctor Shopping in Salisbury, N.C.

♦ We Don’t Mean No Trouble. We Jes Heard the Streets of SHOTZBURY was Lined with Hillbilly Heroin:

RFP Staff

♦ All State Soccer Player at Jesse C. Carson High in 2013, Rowan County Soccer Player of the Year (2014), and a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Brandon Ulysses Flores, 18,  of Salisbury, was arrested by Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies and charged Saturday night with attempted murder (non-specified) (felony).  Later his charges were upgraded to include assault with a deadly weapon or assault inflicting serious injury of an officer (felony) and false imprisonment common law (misdemeanor).

The alleged victim was a female whose injuries were described as non-life threatening.

Flores was arrested at a home on 1077 Arrowhead Circle near Webb Road.  Under a $250,000 secured bond, Flores is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

The attempted murder is still under investigation and few details have been released about the case.  Flores is slated for a hearing November 16th.

**This article will be updated as more details become available.**

Brandon Ulysses Flores in Dark Uniform:

Public Announcement

♦ Congressman Richard Hudson Leads a Senior Service Seminar on Social Security and Medicare at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center on Friday, November 20th:

WCNC.com/Squatters Rights Salisbury, N.C.

♦ Squatters Refuse to Leave Pricey Home in Piper Glen:

http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/local/2015/11/13/squatters-refuse-to-leave-pricey-home-in-piper-glen/75744710/

Squatters Rights in Salisbury, N.C.: Home of the Free Landers Movement:

http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/01/28/squatters-rights-in-salisbury-n-c-home-of-the-free-landers-movement/

Dirt Cheap: Salisbury, N.C.’s Collapsing Housing Market and Vacancy Boom!

http://rowanfreepress.com/2014/05/28/dirt-cheap-salisbury-n-c-s-collapsing-housing-market-and-vacancy-boom/

RFP Staff

♦ On a weekend marred by gunfire in various locales around Salisbury, car stealing, and breaking and entering, a group of teenagers minding their own business and shooting street hoops at a steel pole basket, near 103 Crawford Street, got off easy Sunday afternoon.  The hoopsters didn’t pay all that much attention to a blue Chrysler as it tooled up Crawford and turned onto Kirk Street.  Then like a shark smelling blood in the water, the  blue Chrysler rolled a little slower this time up Crawford until it was parallel with the ballplayers.  The nose of a pistol emerged from the backseat window. Bap! Bap! Bap! Bap!  The sound of gunfire carried through the neighborhood.  The Chrysler, packed with teenagers, accelerated and was gone.

Mercifully none of the hoopsters were hit.

The drive-by remains under investigation.

If you know anything about this shooting call Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ On Friday night much gunfire was reported west of West Horah and Ellis Streets in Salisbury. Police activity could be seen in the vicinity of the convenience store near Livingstone College.

Later it was reported that multiple shots struck an occupied house on the 800 block of West Bank Street in the West End.  Bullets struck the front of the structure and damaged two vehicles parked on West Bank Street.  No one was hit.

Several gunmen were said to be involved.  Witnesses believed shooters were firing on someone believed to be inside the house.

At this time the shooting remains under investigation and no suspects were named.

If you know anything about this shooting call Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Rowan County Commissioners Meeting Monday, November 16th at 6 P.M.:

http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=560

RFP Staff

♦  Dwon Blair Smith, 16, of Salisbury was charged Friday with two alleged armed pizza robberies that took place on September 5th. In the first robbery Smith allegedly held up a Papa John’s employee at gunpoint and in the 2nd robbery attempt he and others allegedly tried to rob a pizza deliveryman at the Brookview Apartments. The driver drove off.

An unidentified juvenile, who allegedly held a revolver, was charged with armed robbery on October 15th and sent to the Stonewall Jackson Training Camp for juveniles.

Charged Friday with robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons (felony), Smith was placed under a $10,000 secured bond and was held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

The October 17th Rowan Free Press article describing the alleged attempted armed pizza robberies:

“Armed robberies of pizza shops and their drivers continues unabated in Salisbury AKA “Shotzbury” since last spring. Frequently targeted are Pizza Hut and Papa Johns and their courageous drivers ready to brave the night and area banditos holding guns on them and often getting “free” pizza and wings along with a nights take and tips. So far no pizza delivery driver has been left face down with their brains shot out in a gutter. The big roulette wheel in the sky is poised to land on murder. Ah to die for cheese and marinara sauce and hand full of tips.

Thursday an unidentified 15 year-old male from “Shotzbury” wound up at Stonewall Jackson Training Facility for juvies. The teen, along with several other accomplices, allegedly failed at two pizza armed robberies back on September 5th.

During the first alleged pizza delivery incident, the 15 year-old and his associates intercepted a Pizza Hut driver after he made a delivery to the Brookview apartments on 711 MLK, Jr. The alleged teen robber came up on the delivery driver in the dark and someone drew a chrome pistol. “Gimme all your money.”

The delivery man sensed his chances of survival would be better served by slamming his car into reverse and driving out of the lot. Two robbers gave chase for a short distance. No money–no pizza.

Not to be deterred from their pursuit of money and pizza, the 15 year-old and his pals headed off for Papa John’s Pizza where they spotted a female worker taking a ciggarette break on the sidewalk. Moments later the trio drew the chrome plated pistol. “Hands up and gimme your keys!”

“I don’t have no car keys with me.”

The gunman quickly frisked her, going through her pockets. Finding nothing, the trio started to walk before a male employee came outside to chase the three. Big mistaka-a-daka! The gunman fired off a round at the pursuer. The worker thought the better of his options and fled back to Papa Johns. Good move.

No money–no pizza.

Thursday the 15 year-old was IDed, arrested, and charged for two armed robberies (felony).

We are unaware if they serve pizza at Stonewall Jackson. Besides cooling his heels, our 15 year-old will have much time to reflect.”

RFP Staff

♦ The Citgo/Pop Shoppe lot at 1831 W. Innes Street near Statesville Blvd. may rank as one of the worst spots in Salisbury to leave your car keys in your ignition with the engine running as Donald Phillippe, Jr. and his wife soon found out on Friday afternoon.  Sitting in his vehicle in the Citgo/Pop Shoppe lot, Rhett Maudlin noticed two teenagers, later identified as Sedrick Jaquann Quinton Johnson, 19, and Myles Kadeem Branham, 18, climb into Phillipe’s car and start to drive off.  Maudlin, reacting quickly, attempted to box the car in, but the pair squeezed past him.

Moments later Phillippe left the Pop Shoppe convenience store and saw his car pulling away.  Maudlin called Phillippe over and urged him to get in his truck.  They would follow.  The pair trailed Phillippe’s car down West Innes before it made a sharp turn on Ackert Avenue.  Once more Maudlin attempted to use his truck to cutoff the alleged car thieves, but no dice.  Johnson and Branham felt a heavy bang as the car thieves rammed Maudlin’s truck.  The two alleged car thieves climbed out of the car and lit out with Maudlin and Phillippe in pursuit. One of the pair was tackled by Maudlin and brought down.

The Police arrested Sedrick Jaquann Quinton Johnson and Myles Kadeem Branham and charged each with larceny of a motor vehicle (felony).  Both are under $25,000 secured bond and remain in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Sedrick Jaquann Quinton Johnson:

Myles Kadeem Branham:

Fat of the Land Consumer Advocacy

♦ Know Your Rights! Here is an outstanding collection of Renters Rights Booklets (PDF) and Squatters Handbooks (PDF).  Everything you need to know to defend yourself against bad landlords and provide expert knowhow in setting up an alleged legal squat.   Fight the Power!

Brochure: Landlord-Tenant Law N.C. (Rowan County) (PDF)

http://www.legalaidnc.org/public/learn/publications/brochures/BROCHURE_Landlord-TenantLaw_LANC-Greensboro.pdf

Know Your Rights: N.C. Consumer/Landlord-Tenant Booklet:

http://www.ncdoj.com/files/consumer/landlord-tenant-booklet.aspx

The K.C. Squatters Handbook (PDF):

http://ia700804.us.archive.org/19/items/KansasCitySquattersHandbook/kcsquat.pdf

The Squatters Handbook (PDF):

http://archiv.squat.net/squatbook1/index.pdf

RFP Staff

♦ Joshua Meece, 28, the last of the Meece Brothers on the Rowan County Sheriff’s Most Wanted list, was arrested in the early morning hours at 488 Moon River Road outside of Salisbury, N.C. Charged with Breaking and entering–building (felony), burglary (first degree) (felony), and failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor), he is now in the Rowan County Detention Center. He is under a secured bond of $102,500.

Here is the November 10th article on the Meece Brothers Alleged Salisbury area burglaries:

“Updated: John Cristopher Meece turned himself in Wednesday November 11th to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Recently added to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted List, Joshua Lee Meece, 28, of Forest Winds Drive in Spencer and his brother John Cristopher Meece, 23, of Salisbury are being sought for two alleged Salisbury area burglaries taking place on Friday evening. Their alleged accomplice in Friday’s burglaries Miranda Gail Waggoner, 22, was arrested Monday on Poole Road in East Rowan and charged with breaking and entering-building (felony). Under a secured $5,000 bond, Waggoner is in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Deputies responded to a break-in at a Garrick Road home around 11:45 p.m. Friday. An 82 year-old woman was at home at the time of the break-in and hid in her bathroom when she heard someone breaking in. Fearful of what was happening in her home, she later discovered when she ventured outside the bathroom that her TV was missing.

A second break-in occured on Garrick Road and the two break-ins were linked. The Meece Brothers and Waggoner were now viewed as suspects.

Both Meece Brothers would be charged with breaking and entering-building (felony). Joshua Meese would be additionally charged with first degree burglary (felony).”

Joshua Lee Meece’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1061306&searchLastName=meece&searchFirstName=joshua&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

John Christopher Meece’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1123101&searchLastName=Meece&searchFirstName=John&searchMiddleName=c&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

The updated Rowan County Sheriff’s Office MOST WANTED LIST:

http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/11/04/updated-rowan-county-n-c-sheriffs-office-most-wanted-list-2/

If you have any information about the Meece Brothers please call Lt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Detective Rodney Mahaley at 704-216-8711.

Joshua Lee Meece:

John Christopher Meece:

Miranda Gail Waggoner:

RFP Staff

♦ Wednesday morning at around 1:45 a.m. Joseph Dominick Anderson, 27, was walking back with friends from the Zion Hill Apartments in Salisbury when he suddenly heard gunshots before the gunning of an engine and wheels squeeling. Experiencing a stinging sensation in his leg, he realized he was hit. The shooting took place on West Monroe Street near Partee Street.

Anderson had no idea who the shooter was.

The wound proved superficial. Anderson was taken to Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

If you have any information about this incident please call Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866=639-5245.

A Previous RFP article involving Joseph Dominick Anderson appeared on March 14th 2015:

“Joseph Dominic Anderson, 26, of West Monroe Street in Salisbury was arrested after a gunfight late Thursday afternoon at 331 Crown Point Drive.

Salisbury Police responded to a call from neighbors who complained of shots being fired and a stray bullet passing through the window of a nearby residence. Two men were engaged in a gunfight just prior to the officers arrival after 5 p.m. Anderson was arrested on the scene, but a black male suspect, with whom Anderson was exchanging gunfire earlier, fled the area and is currently being sought by the police.

Anderson was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, weapon possession by a felon prohibited, and illegal discharge of a weapon.

Under a $25,000 secured bond, Anderson is currently in the Rowan County Detention Center. He will face a court hearing March 16th.”

Joseph Dominic Anderson’s record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0851440&searchLastName=anderson&searchFirstName=joseph&searchMiddleName

RFP Staff

♦ Belk Store housekeeper, Christy Marie Hooks, 44, of Rockwell, was alleged to have stolen over $5,000 worth of clothing and housewares from the Belk Store at Wallace Commons on Klumac Road on Tuesday.  Allegedly caught on the Belk Store’s surveillance camera concealing product and leaving the premises with it during the morning until noon shift, Hooks was confronted by investigators.

Hooks allegedly returned a number of the items after being confronted.

Hooks was arrested and charged with larceny by servants and other employees (misdemeanor).  Under a secured $500 bond, Hooks was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and later released on bond.

CarolinaJournal.com/Dan Way

♦ Roy Cooper Backs McCrory’s Stand on Refugees. Attorney General Agrees on Temporary Halt for Syrians; Charities Cry Foul:

http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=12577