RFP Staff
♦ Photo Gallery: The Much Anticipated Grand Opening of the Wallace Educational Forum at 500 North Main in Salisbury:
The Ribbon Cutting:
The Wallace Educational Forum Front Door and Dome:
Superintendent Moody Addressing the Attendees:
The Packed Audience:
Mayor Alexander in the House:
The Audience:
Chairman Wagner Addresses the Grand Opening Throng:
The Forum’s Front Door:
Former School Board Member Mrs. Norman and City Councilman Kenny Hardin:
The Dome from the Top of the Hill:
RFP Staff
♦ Michael Wayne Brooker, Jr.,28, a felon living at 318 Cedar Street in Salisbury and sought by Salisbury Police for failing to appear in court, was spotted Monday at around 5 p.m. by Salisbury Police driving along Jake Avenue Blvd. Attempting to pull Brooker over, the police followed Brooker into the Rite Aid parking lot on Jake Alexander when suddenly Brooker jumped from his car and lit out for a nearby apartment complex on Maupin Avenue. A few minutes later officers caught Brooker only for him to pull free of his shirt and run.
After dodging between vehicles, Brooker was brought down by an officer and handcuffed.
Brooker was charged with 2 counts of failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor), probation violation (misdemeanor), and resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor). Under a secured $165,000 bond, Brooker remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.
In a Previous RFP article on November 10th 2015 where Michael Wayne Brooker, Jr. took up dodging the Salisbury Police: “Michael Wayne Brooker, Jr., Felon, Arrested and Stun Gunned Sunday After Attempting to Flee Police in Salisbury, N.C.”
“Michael Wayne Brooker, Jr., 28, a felon with outstanding warrants living at 318 Cedar Street in Salisbury, was cruising the streets of Salisbury just after midnight Sunday morning when the police pulled him over in the 300 block of MLK, Jr. for not displaying a license tag. It was all downhill for Brooker from the moment he allegedly told officers he recently purchased the car and was displaying a temporary paper tag in the rear window. The police noted a bottle of an liquor on the floorboard and after a records check it came up that Brooker’s driver’s license was suspended and that he was wanted for two outstanding felony warrants. A closer inspection of the car revealed 3 grams of heroin and 2 TVs. Over $650 was found on Brooker’s person. Out came the handcuffs.
After being handcuffed and the police began patting him down, Brooker abruptly felt inspired to bolt. Brooker sprinted several blocks through backyards and across lawns before he came to a patch of weeds and crashed through a small wooden fence. The police in pursuit tazed Brooker who continued to resist until he was overwhelmed.
Booker was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor), probation violation (misdemeanor), possession of control substance schedule I (felony), failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor).”
Michael Wayne Brooker, Jr. Previous Record:
RFP Staff
♦ The hunt for sex offender William Arthur Sturgeon, 42, by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, the NC SBI, and the Salisbury Police ended Monday when this joint law enforcement effort raided Sturgeon’s hideout at the Motel 8 on 925 Bendix Drive in Salisbury.
Sturgeon was on the run for the last 3 months from the Iredell County Sheriff’s office for failing to register as a sex offender and tips had placed him in the Salisbury area. What made Sturgeon difficult to find was his dramatic change in appearance–he cut his shoulder length hair and grew out his beard.
After his arrest Sturgeon was charged with failure to register as a sex offender (felony) and was turned over to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. Currently he is being held in jail in Statesville under a secured $75,000 bond.
Sturgeon’s original conviction as a sex offender occurred in Iowa back in 1995. He lived in Rowan County over the years in Salisbury, Woodleaf, and Rockwell and spent time in Mocksville and Statesville.
William Arthur Sturgeon’s Previous Record:
NC Board of Elections
♦ Rowan County Primary Election Results 2016
http://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/15/2016&county_id=80&office=ALL&contest=0
USAToday.com/Liz Szabo
♦ Doctors Told to Avoid Prescribing Opiates for Chronic Pain. CDC Issues New Guidelines for Opiate Prescribing to Reduce Abuse Overdoses. Highly Addictive OxyContin Among Those Targeted:
Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman
♦ I want to keep you abreast of my work, interactions and activities with the City Council.
1. I met with the City Manager Lane Bailey and interim Police Chief Brian Stallings a couple of weeks ago. In the meeting I asked for a clear picture of the state of the Department. I was assured that previous problems were addressed and the loss of the Officers through personnel matters was necessary for morale and progress.
2. They provided assurance the deficit of 11 positions would not cause any neglect to the service, safety and protection of any communities. I shared with the City Manager that the Community should have a voice and role in the hiring of the new Chief.
3. A salary increase was approved, but I want to ensure that increased respect and efforts to improve morale are made a priority as well.
4. I have a lot of respect for the interim Chief Brian Stallings and believe he will repair the damage done by the previous Chief.
5. I shared my concerns about the lack of diversity amongst 2nd tier leadership ranks (i.e.-Captain, Lieutenants and Sergeants). There are only two people of color amongst this group and no Hispanic/Latino leaders.
6. I asked if cultural awareness training was being offered in addition to job specific training to help officers understand the populations they serve. It isn’t, but the City Manager said it would be included in the future.
7. I’m aware the City received significant federal grant money for Gang Prevention over the last 10 years or more. I asked the City Manager to provide an accounting of how much money was received and how it has been used. He stated that Assistant City Manager Zack Kyle is researching this information. I’m in possession of some information, but will share all of it in its entirety when Mr. Kyle is done with his review. I want to ensure we have used the money for its intended purpose.
8. Over the past two weeks, I have observed our Waste Services Department in the execution of their duties picking up curbside trash and leaves. Overall, I have been impressed with their efforts and have thanked the employees I’ve interacted with both personally and publicly. I took pictures of some concerns I noted and forwarded them to City Services Management. Some included waste cans being tipped over after dumping and trash being left on the ground after dumping.
9. The City Manager will hold open door meetings at City Hall to come in and talk with him personally. The first session will be held on April 6th at 10:30 am. I know that many people are working at this time, so hopefully if this is a success, the time can be at a time when more people can attend.
10. The next Community Conversation forum will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22nd at the Father’s House of Glory located at 2218 Statesville Blvd. Moving forward, I hope the City will stop having these Community forums in Churches.
11. I had a business lunch with School Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody last week. We discussed issues with the Schools and talked about strategies to impact them. We talked at length about the numerous fights at Salisbury High, behavioral concerns at other schools, and how to increase parental involvement.
12. I had a conversation with the DA about the lack of trust between the Police and the Black Community and how the broken relationship impacts information being shared to solve murders and other crime. She was very gracious and forthcoming about her process of prosecuting cases.
13. If you would like to serve on the Steering Committee for the Vision 2020 Comprehensive Plan, applications can be submitted online at http://www.salisburync.gov or by calling Catherine Garner at (704) 638-5324.
14. There are openings to serve on decision making City Boards and Commissions. There are slots available on the Transportation Advisory Board, Tree Board and the Zoning Board. If you’re interested, please go to the City’s website at http://www.salisburync.gov or reach out to the City Clerk for an application.
15. I’ve received several invitations to speak recently and have enjoyed bringing a strong message to all. In addition to area churches, I spoke with the Senior Democrats yesterday and will be the guest speaker at an upcoming Jack & Jill event and the 94th Anniversary of the JC Price American Legion Post.
16. I recognized two great local student athletes at last night’s meeting for their great accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic field. Javon Hargrave, a graduate of North Rowan High School and a Dean’s List graduate of SC State is projected to be a 2nd round NFL pick in next Month’s pro football draft. Aside from his athletic talent, this is a great young man who cares about his community and gives back.
17. Recent Livingstone College graduate Quanera Hayes won the 400 meters event at the USATF event over the weekend to become the national champion. She is now preparing to win a spot on the US Olympic Team.
18. I’ve held several meetings with Livingstone College President, Dr. Jimmy Jenkins, about improving the relationship between the College and the Community.
19. Met with the Executive Director of Downtown Salisbury Inc. to share concerns about the downtown area.
20. Represented the City in attending the celebration of the Livingstone College Men’s championship Basketball team.
21. I want to encourage people to get more involved in the Civic process. The City Council meeting time has been changed to 5pm and we are receiving public comments at both monthly meetings.
email me any comments or concerns at kenneth.hardin@salisbury nc.gov
RFP Staff
♦ The Salisbury Police are hunting for any information they can obtain about the daylight robbery that occurred Saturday just before noon at Hendrix BBQ on 1634 W. Innes Street in Salisbury, N.C. when a robber slipped into an unlocked backdoor, helped himself to a handful of cash, and quickly slipped out of the door. All of this occurred during business hours.
If you recognize the robber (pictured below) or have any information about this robbery please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or call Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.
Report.Sprigeo.com/
♦ Parent and Student Report Form for Safety and Bullying in the Rowan-Salisbury School System. Sprigeo was created so that parents, students, and guardians would have a safe way to report bullying and safety concerns. When a person really needs help we hope you will step up and send in a report. After you fill out the form below and click the go button at the bottom, Sprigeo sends an email to a school administrator with all of the details from your report.
Concerns about fights, drugs, alcohol, weapons, cyberbullying, sexual assaults, robbery, and youngsters who talk about hurting themselves or others may be safely addressed:
http://report.sprigeo.com/district/rowan-salisbury-school-system
Shooting at Salisbury High School:
Rowan-Salisbury School System Acts of Violence and Crime from N.C. Dept. of Public Instruction (click on chart to make it larger):
**Above Chart alleged to suffer from underreporting.**
RFP Staff
♦ Salisbury, N.C.’s premier hookah parlor and café and a huge favorite among those who dare to adventure Downtown after dark, the King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge on Easy Street was allegedly broken into for a second time on Wednesday by Paul Anthony Ewing, 39, of Evelyn Avenue in Kannapolis. The felon and now suspected “Egyptologist”, once worked as a contractor in the mysterious and enchanting King Tut Café and Hookah Lounge. What secrets were revealed?
The Salisbury Police allege that Ewing helped himself to money from the cash register and a juke box. Praise be unto King Tutankhamun that the suspect wasn’t felled by a cobra attack in the lounge area.
Ewing was charged with 2 counts breaking into a building (felony) and 2 counts of larceny (felony). He was detained in the Rowan County Detention Center and was released on bond.
Paul Anthony Ewing’s Previous Record:
RFP Staff
♦ Ayyad Faour Sukkar, 16, of Arden Drive in Salisbury allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint of a cell phone on Forestdale drive in Salisbury back on February 19th. Sukkar was arrested Wednesday when the Salisbury Police learned of Sukkar’s identity from Offer Up, a website arranging online sales. Offer Up was the go between the victim and Sukkar on the cell phone deal.
Sukkar was charged with robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons (felony). Under a secured $50,000 bond, Sukkar is being held at the Rowan County Detention.
Back on February the 19th Sukkar allegedly made arrangements through Offer Up to buy a cell phone from the victim. The victim was told to look for Sukkar standing in front of a house on Forestdale Drive. After the victim showed up, Sukkar got in the car with the victim and requested to examine the cell phone. Agreeing to the deal, Sukkar allegedly told the victim he would get the money and return. When he climbed out of the car, Sukkar walked around to the Driver’s side and pulled a pistol on him, saying: “That’s my phone now–give it up.” The driver obliged and drove away.
Ayyad Faour Sukkar:
RFP Staff
♦ The September 2nd Salisbury, N.C. shooting death of Nathan Rupert Plant, 37, of Lexington, N.C. was ruled as self-defense by the Medical Examiner and Salisbury Police Investigators. After an exhaustive examination of the autopsy examination and the investigators reports, District Attorney Brandy Cook concluded the evidence showed that Nathan Plant was killed in self-defense. The District Attorney’s Office will not pursue criminal charges against the shooter.
The Late Nathan Ruppert Plant:
As a result of the police investigation Tonya Veann Wilkes, 44, the owner of the mobile home where the shooting took place on 1011 Rachel Lane near Airport Road in Salisbury and Tiodomira Anna-Marie Caudillo, 24, of the 400 block of North Craige Street were both charged with drug offenses.
1011 Rachel Lane, Salisbury, N.C.:
Wilkes was charged with conspiracy to sell a controlled substance II (felony) and had an outstanding charge of assault inflicting serious injury (misdemeanor). Under a secured $4,000 bond, Wilks was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and has since been released.
Tonya Veann Wilks:
Caudillo was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver a control schedule II substance (felony), attempt to sell a control schedule II substance (felony), and conspiracy to sell a control schedule II substance (felony). Under a secured $20,000 bond, Caudillo was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center where she has since been released on bail.
Tiodomira Anna-Marie-Caudillo:
An article on the death of Nathan Rupert Plant appeared in the RFP on September 3rd 2015: “Dead Shooting Victim Identified as Nathan Rupert Plant in Salisbury, N.C. Triple Shooting on Rachel Lane”:
“Deceased shooting victim was identified as Nathan Rupert Plant, 37, of Lexington, N.C. Yesterday a triple shooting occurred at 1011 Rachel Lane in Salisbury Wednesday Afternoon led to one dead and two wounded.
A neighbor, hearing gunshots, called 911 and summoned Salisbury Police to a one-level white mobile home on the corner of Rachel Lane off Gaskey Road near Airport Road. The first officers on the scene found two persons shot. One of the victims Nathan Rupert Pant, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. A surviving gunshot victim, Tonya Veann Wilks, 44, of 1011 Rachel Lane was transported to Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center where she was said to be in stable condition and has since been released.
Later Wednesday afternoon a third individual Desmine Marnic Kirkland, 28, of the 500 block Neelytown Road in China Grove who suffered a gunshot wound, arrived at Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center. It was determined Kirkland was at the Rachel Lane shooting. His wound is reported as being non-life threatening.
All afternoon police vehicles were parked along Rachel Street as investigators spoke with neighbors and gathered crime scene evidence.
All three persons are said to know each other, yet their exact relationships are yet unclear to investigators.
Desmine Marnic Kirkland, 28, is no stranger to death scenes. Kirkland was previous convicted of 2nd degree murder as an accessory after the fact in the 2010 for 2009 slaying of Demetrius Bost. After Bost was murdered his body was coldly flung into a ditch on Milford Hills Drive.
Desmine Marnic Kirkland’s Previous Record:
Police have not yet named the killer or the motive of the Wednesday’s shootout. No charges are yet filed. The crime scene is still under investigation.”
Nathan Marnic Kirkland:
Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Gov. Pat McCrory and Cultural Secretary Susan Kluttz took 73 junkets to 52 towns on the taxpayer dime in 2015 and only got an embarrassing $8 million dollar Historic Preservation Tax Credit plan to cover the entire state in the new state budget. From 2011 through 2015 when the old credit hit its sunset, the N.C. Historic Preservation tax credit program handed out $26.6 million dollars a year. Last year McCrory threatened to veto the budget if the credits were not restored. Yet when the governor signed the new credit scheme into law it carried a paltry $8 million dollar price tag for this fiscal year and gradually reduces the credit each year until its final “sunset” in 2020.
Many taxpayers and business owners throughout North Carolina don’t like the idea they have to fork money over to line historic renovators pockets or spend money on someone else’s house or building. Taxpayers and business owners would much rather spend money on their own desires and businesses.
The New Historic Preservation Tax Credit Plan that Started on January 1st 2016:
Historic Building Demolished
RFP Staff
♦ On Friday Marvin Eric Tart, 42, formerly living on Short Street in Salisbury and an ex-Boone police officer convicted of 3rd degree sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography) in 2008, was arrested at 1510 Stokes Ferry Road in Salisbury by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Recently added to the Sheriff’s Most Wanted List, Tart didn’t last long.
Tart was charged with sex offender failure to notify change of address (felony) and failure to appear/comply (misdemeanor). Under a secured $4,703 bond, Tart is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.
Marvin Eric Tart’s Previous record:
RFP Staff
♦ Rowan County Commission Meets Monday March 21st at 6 P.M. at the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Room on the 2nd floor of Rowan County Administration Building at 130 West Innes St. in Salisbury, N.C.
ROWAN COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA
Call to Order
Invocation
• Provided By: Chaplain Michael Taylor
Pledge of Allegiance
Consider Additions to the Agenda
Consider Deletions From the Agenda
Consider Approval of the Agenda
Board members are asked to voluntarily inform the Board if any matter on the agenda might present a conflict of interest or might require the member to be excused from voting.
• Consider Approval of the Minutes: March 7, 2016
1 Consider Approval of Consent Agenda
A. Designated Parking Spaces for Veterans Services Office
B. Refunds for Approval
C. Acceptance of Grant Award from FM Global for Emergency Services-Fire Division
D. Proclamation for Relay for Life “Paint the County Purple” Week
E. Public Hearing to Consider Financing Proposals for Construction of Airport Hangar
F. Public Health Week
G. Audit Contract for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2016
H. Health Insurance Provider Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina
I. Asbestos Removal at the Rowan County Courthouse
J. County Supports Working Toward Designation of “Work Ready Community”
K. Award Hangar Bid
L. Proclamation in Recognition of the Vietnam Veterans
M. Change Orders for Airport Office Addition
2 Public Comment Period
3 Quasi-Judicial Hearing for Z 04-16 and CUP 02-16: Seven Islands Environmental Solutions, LLC
4 Quasi-judicial Hearing for CUP 01-16
5 Public Hearing for HOME Application
6 Public Hearing for Z 01-16; Bradshaw
7 Public Hearing for Z 02-16
8 Public Hearing for Z 03-16; Ver Len Acres, LLC
9 Request for Public Hearing – Project Orange
10 Financial Report
11 Consider Approval of Budget Amendments
12 Adjournment
http://agenda.rowancountync.gov/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MeetingID=191
Citizens with disabilities requiring special needs to access the services or public meetings of Rowan County Government should contact the County Manager’s Office three days prior
to the meeting by calling (704) 216-8180.
RFP Staff
♦ Roku Remains the Leading IPTV Cord Cutting Device Providing the Largest Selection of Channels (Non Copyright Infringing Channels). Visit the Ever Growing Roku Channel Store to Review the Selection:
https://channelstore.roku.com/browse
Todd Paris, Associate Editor and Salisbury Attorney
♦ As seen on the RFP county commission video and recounted in Salisbury’s paper media, Rowan County Commissioner Craig Pierce (and he alone) expressed reservations concerning the legality and terms of the Economic Development Agreement under consideration between Rowan County, North Carolina, and EASTER CREEK PARTNERS, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company and the Town of Granite Quarry, concerning certain speculative buildings to be erected upon county owned property, next to Gildan. A full copy of this agreement is included for your edification and study for folks interested in such things.
As convoluted as the contract is, “the deal” boils down to this: the county gives all the remaining acreage (three tracts – 65 acres total) in our industrial park on Highway 52 to the LLC, the LLC commits to build one rather large building on the property and Granite Quarry agrees to provide funds to extend water and sewer to the property. This is done by the county owner financing the LLC’s acquisition (we “tote the note”) and forgiving 1/3 of the debt upon the clearing of all three parcels, another third upon the building being built and the remainder when that building comes under lease or is sold.
Commissioner Pierce took issue, in a recent County Commission meeting, with whether the contract or deal actually complies with the law, that is to say our Economic Development Statutes and specifically, N.C. Gen. Stat. 158-7.1(d) requiring “Before such an interest may be conveyed, the county or city governing body shall determine the probable average hourly wage to be paid to workers by the business to be located at the property to be conveyed and the fair market value of the interest, subject to whatever covenants, conditions, and restrictions the county or city proposes to subject it to. The consideration for the conveyance may not be less than the value so determined.”
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_158/GS_158-7.1.pdf
The challenge is that at least two of the three conveyances of the property under this contract (which is silent as to these statutorily required terms) will necessarily occur before any such information is available, because we don’t know who the LLC will eventually sell or rent to. No provisions exist in the contract to cover this and the LLC may rent or sell the building to a business that may create hundreds of jobs or, then again, create a warehouse with a lot of boxes and three watchmen.
There may be a larger legal problem hidden as well. N.C. Gen. Statutes, Article 12, which controls the sale and disposition of public property, requires that real property sales of county property valued at more than 30K be done in a manner to allow notice and be sold to the highest bidder, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 160A-265 through 270.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/pdf/ByArticle/Chapter_160A/Article_12.pdf
The clear intent of this statute, I argue, is to prevent county or city property from being sold, bargained or traded away in “sweetheart” deals without an opportunity for sale to the highest bidder and so as to obviate any possibility for self-dealing, graft, and corruption. It’s a good law.
It would appear that Edds and the gang are trying to use the economic development statute to “end run” the requirements of 160A that county real property valued more than 30K be advertised and placed up for bid. This has, in my humble opinion, potential for much bad legal “Ju-Ju.”
Now, I don’t know much of anything about EASTER CREEK PARTNERS, LLC, a North Carolina Limited Liability Company. For all I know, they may be fine honest folks and great business associates. But then again, none of us can know much about these folks. NC Limited Liability Corporations are governed by Chapter 57D of the General Statutes. I do know that the members/investors are not required to be revealed by the annual reports to the NC Secretary of State and NC law allows them remain anonymous.
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_57D/GS_57D-2-24.html
So who are we dealing with? One of the terms of the agreement says that “To the best of their knowledge, no officer or official has any interest (financial, employment, or other) in the Company or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.” The problem with this is that with the secretive nature of NC LLC’s, how do we know if various and sundry government officials, private site selectors, policy and economic development “wonks” who have “had a say” in the LLC getting this contract, actually own a share in the LLC or if even they are a member of another LLC that owns a shares in this LLC. How do we know if there is self-dealing going on here, particularly with the single purchaser “sweetheart sale” or gift of real estate that is not subject to open bid under state law?
Granite Quarry’s issue is another concern to me. The town will provide water and sewer at considerable expense (hundreds of thousands of dollars) to this project and at their lower tax rate it will take much longer to recoup their expenses after the three year “grant” in the contract which prevents them from taxing during this term. What happens if after three years, no one buys the building or if the LLC declares bankruptcy or fails to perform? Granite Quarry’s budget is not large enough to absorb the loss without great financial stress. Perhaps Mayor Bill Feather should have negotiated a Indemnification Agreement with the county to make sure that the county (with a much larger budget) would pay the town back if this project goes “bust.”
Another important item to remember is that LLCs protect individual investors from any civil legal liability should the project fail. There appears to be no performance bond required, so where we could get relief if this thing falls through. Who do we sue and where does the money come from? What happens if the project fails after the land is graded? In that case, would a bankrupt LLC now own a 1/3 undivided interest in the entire business park or the whole kaboodle?
In the end, I do not want not it to be said that I am anti-development. The prospect of gaining hundreds of decent paying industrial jobs is a wonderful thing, however, I suggest:
The County Attorney should file a declaratory action in Superior Court to make sure this scheme is legal or at least get the NC Attorney General’s opinion to that effect.
That the LLC be required to disclose who their individual and corporate holders are, so we can be sure this deal is fully “in the sunshine.”
That Granite Quarry be indemnified for any losses should this deal “flop” after they have performed.
That the LLC be required to disclose any deals with private site selectors (local “folks” who contractually take a percentage of incentives to “help make the project go” who may obtain from the LLC a large percentage of their incentives.)
Should we negotiate some price for the land instead of giving it away?
Let’s let the sunshine in and if it all checks out, maybe we can all get behind this deal. By the way, good job Craig Pierce! Someone needs to question stuff like this, rather than rubber stamp every development deal that comes down the pike.
Land Tract Agreement:
https://app.box.com/s/z38e1picoykweal1o7ba1p7qn8noq9o7
Land Tract Map:
https://app.box.com/s/rrubxkrp0ivhg8ut70rkme25ex4r5n46
RFP Staff
♦ Phantasha Krystal Sky Cook,22, of Airport Road in Salisbury, was arrested Saturday by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on the 12000 block of Stokes Ferry Road in Gold Hill and initially charged with marijuana and drug Paraphernalia possession. Later after she was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center an alleged search found Cook to have a schedule I on her person.
Cook was charged with 2 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), 2 counts of possession of substance schedule VI (misdemeanor), possession of control substance IV (misdemeanor), maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for a controlled substance (misdemeanor), Possession controlled substance on a penal institution premises (felony), and possession of a controlled substance schedule I (felony).
Under a secured $26,500 bond, Cook was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center and is now out on bail.
Phantasha Krystal Sky Cook’s Previous Record:
RFP Staff
♦ Chadwick Jerome Pearson, 16, apparently from the “bad side” of Kannapolis, let it all hang out early Friday night in Landis, N.C. as he allegedly battled Landis Police officers and Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies in an alleged drunken melee in Landis.
Law enforcement reported Pearson, said to be extremely intoxicated, allegedly spat on officer, cussed, forearm shivered an officer in the groin, and kicked another in the inner thigh. During the battle, Pearson allegedly broke away and ducked beneath a house deck where he threatened to take an officer’s gun and blow his brains out. His cursing allegedly grew louder before he surrendered and was handcuffed.
Officers found a rubber glove stuffed with “pot” on Pearson after a pat down.
Pearson was charged with 2 counts of communicating threats (misdemeanor), malicious conduct by a prisoner (misdemeanor), assault on a government official (misdemeanor), resist/delay/obstruct a public official (misdemeanor), intoxicated and disruptive (misdemeanor), underage consumption (misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance on a penal institution premises (felony), and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance. (misdemeanor).
Under a secured $20,000 bond, Pearson remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.
In a previous brush with the law in Mecklenburg County, Pearson was charged with conspiracy (felony), common law robbery (felony), and injury to real property (misdemeanor).
Todd Paris, Associate Editor and Salisbury Attorney
♦ The Rowan County Commission will meet on March 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM at the Rowan County Administration Building in Salisbury. On the County Commission agenda (go way back into the PDF version to find it) is the rehiring of accounting firm Martin and Starnes to do the county’s budget audit. Do firm sound familiar? They should. Here’s a reminder:
Financial Shenanigans at Salisbury, N.C.’s City Hall? The Public Needs to Know
Martin and Starnes used to perform the same function for the City Salisbury until March 15th when city council, reeling from recent revelations from the Rowan Free Press, chose another accounting firm Elliot Davis Decosimo.
First, in last December’s audit report to Salisbury City Council, new council members Hardin and Post arrived to be handed a 140 plus page finance report and budget audit they never saw previously and were treated to an oral audit report by Martin and Starnes omitting two serious negative audit findings. The audit itself only mentioned the possibility of embezzlement in the city and cited a letter that later revealed actual embezzlement. The second finding was the broadband enterprise fund continues to operate in the negative which is against the law. No surprise there.
Secondly, subsequent FOIA requests uncovered that a Martin and Starnes employee delivered free “perks” of monetary value to Wayne Furches, a city finance department employee, which he solicited, violating city policy and perhaps, much more. The city wisely chose another firm for their next audit and has not invited Martin and Starnes back to “face the music” on these issues.
City Finance Director Wade Furches Asks for Family Perks from Vendor. Vendor Delivers the Goods
Here are the questions needing to be asked by our county commission regarding Martin-Starnes and “The Furches Matter” to make sure the county doesn’t encounter the same problems:
1. Did anyone on Salisbury City Council or Staff instruct your firm to skip over or otherwise omit the two negative findings in your oral presentation last December? If so, who and how? If we ask you to do something similar will you comply?
2. Is it true the entire city council received the audit report the same day of the presentation and no earlier? Can we expect the same thing with us?
3. Do you see yourselves as working for the citizens of Rowan County or just the staff or just the Commission?
4. If one of our employees asks for perks or favors will you promise to report this to the County Manager for an ethics review?
5. Is the employee who agreed to provide the “perks” to Furches still employed with you? If so, was that positive response to provide the “perks” approved by persons in a supervisory capacity in your firm?
6. In retrospect was this ethical and did it violate any CPA/Accounting and ethics rules? Was there an investigation? What was the result?
Answers need to be forthcoming before we trust this firm to be the watchdogs over our county budget, particularly in light of recent events. Let’s get some answers.
Click on both photos below to enlarge:
Rabbi Will McCubbins, China Grove, N.C.
♦ It was just a few years back when Salisbury was 2nd only to Dade County Florida in per capita sexual offenders. Not a week goes by when a sexual offender is picked up in Salisbury for failing to report his or her current address. Over the last 10 days or so there was a massive Facebook sharing of the RFP article on Ronnie Paul Godbey, a sexual predator who co-owned Sweet Pea’s Consignment Shop in Salisbury and now is doing time in the can for allegedly manipulating sex with a 9 year-old child all the way into her teens. Many people in Salisbury and the county are incensed and rightfully so that he got an extra light sentence from a plea bargain. Godbey is due to be let loose on society in May and families are warning each other in advance.
When it comes to registered sexual offenders its easy to notice most are repeat performers and they often don’t bother reporting their address changes when they skip and start their predatory sexual hunts in a new locale. These creeps show-up all-too-often in the news especially in crime plagued Salisbury.
Here is one of many registered sex offender maps of Salisbury demonstrating the Bury is swarming with sexual predators. Besides these known registered sex offenders, realize that many other unregistered and yet to be caught deviants with uncontrollable urges are lurking in the community.
http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Salisbury-North-Carolina.html
What can be done about the registered and yet to be caught sexual offenders? Here’s a valuable and informative PDF. put out by North Carolina’s Attorney General Roy Cooper and the NCDOJ:
N.C. REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM GUIDEBOOK
