RFP Staff
♦ Hal F. Askins, from the N.C. Attorney General’s Office – Division of Crime Control, replaced State Bureau of Investigation’s Sam Gregory who previously prosecuted and convicted Jon Barber for stealing a bottle of Wild Irish Rose from a Rushco convenience store in Salisbury.
Hal F. Askins is a highly regarded prosecutor and is reviewing the Jon Barber case alleged to be an estimated $1200 in color copies done over weeks in the early morning hours at the County Administration Building. It is not known at this time if unpaid for copies done at the Rowan Public Library will be included in the totals, bringing the value up even higher.
Mr. Barber was previously convicted of two DUIs and a Rushco wine larceny. Several years ago he resigned from his teaching job at Southeast Middle school after he showed up intoxicated. He claimed at the time of his resignation he was leaving for “a better business opportunity”.
Mr. Barber now faces a potential charge of government larceny, a class H felony, possibly bringing up to 39 months in a state prison.
It is not known at this time if Mr. Barber plans to run for county commissioner. Mr. Barber announced over a month ago on Facebook: “When I announce my intentions to seek re-election I will go to 7 locations throughout Rowan County in one day. I’ll have pictures taken and discussions with the voters in these 7 locations. I think we’ve nailed down the 7 locations, but I seek your opinion. Any thoughts? FYI standing on the steps of the County Administration Building won’t be one of the 7.”
Commissioner Barber is involved with an urban farming project at Livingstone College. This urban farm project is set on 40 acres near Brenner Avenue and will include organic produce and small livestock.
Mr. Barber started a number of non profit food related organizations for which he allegedly failed to file ‘annual reports’ to the State, and no evidence exists that he filed any 990 tax returns with the IRS on his former ‘non-profits’. Recently in his battle to fight “food injustice” he began fund raising efforts for a Mobile Farm Fresh Bus. Quoted in a recent email campaign to raise funds: “Mobile Farm Fresh is expanding. This year it is time to expand from our 10×10 tent and into a retrofitted city transit bus. We need your help in raising funds. We have started a CrowdTilt Campaign. Through this we are able to combine everyone’s donations purchase the bus. You can donate as little or as much as you want. Our goal is $5,000 which will secure and retrofit at least 1 bus. We have 19 days to reach our goal. Help us to tilt the campaign and purchase a bus. Your donations are tax deductible.”
