I am a HUGE fan of Davis Ruark. When I was a law enforcement officer, I saw first hand how he and his staff vigorously prosecuted violators of the law for the safety of the citizens of Wicomico County and the State of Maryland. I have been at private functions attended by Davis and have always had a great time talking to him. To say he is a good friend would be taking it a bit far, but we've known each other for a while. That being said, it was difficult for me to think about the situation he created last night when he made a conscious decision to consume alcohol and get behind the wheel of an automobile thereby putting at risk the same citizens he spent a career protecting. Regardless of how difficult it was to hear, you can't avoid thinking about what will happen to Davis as a result of this situation. No one knows for sure how this will play out - but we all speculate.
After a great deal of consideration I don't see any other reasonable course of action but for Davis to resign his position as States Attorney for Wicomico County. His admitted violation of the law violates Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct (by my interpretation). A code to which all attorney's are held. This incident puts his entire office , and in fact the entire law enforcement community, as well as the judicial system, in a bad light. If this had happened to a law enforcement officer or an Assistant S/A, their resignation would have been requested or they would face being fired. How can any of his Assist. S/A's prosecute DWI cases without the thought coming to mind that there is a double standard. This causes the general public to believe that corruptions runs rampant in the halls of justice and the confidence of the people in their criminal justice system will diminish. In my opinion this situation should be laid to rest as quickly as possible so that the law enforcement community and the States Attorney's Office can get back to normal with the least amount of damage to it's reputation. There is only one way to accomplish this. Resignation.
I fully understand that we all make mistakes. Lord knows I've made my share. But we all pay a price for our mistakes. Sometimes the mistake is big......and so is the price we must pay. Davis was elected to a position of public trust and in a moment of indiscretion he betrayed that trust.
Davis has faithfully served Wicomico County for almost 20 years, but now it's time to move on. He can then address the DWI charge and perhaps have the matter placed on the Stet Docket or receive probation before judgement as so many people do for their first offense. At that point the matter will be behind him and he can go forward.
Do the right thing, Sir.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Armed Robbery
MSP dispatched for an armed robbery on Gordy Road at the Country Farm Store, two number 1 males with a 1032. Subjects fled on foot. The Sheriff's Department is going to handle it, but MSP is to check the area. Last seen heading east on Gordy near Pineway.
Freedom Of Speech MY A$$!
"FAIR WARNING TO STORY CHAT USERS.
Comments regarding this story earlier today strayed beyond acceptable lines.
In fairness, it is inappropriate to make comments about parties beyond the scope of this news story. Mr. Ruark is fair game for your commentary; others are not.
Be reminded too that Mr. Ruark stands accused, but has not been convicted in a court of law.
The StoryChat Administrator will immediately remove any potentially libelous or defammatory comments. StoryChat members who violate the terms of service will be disabled from participation."
Comments regarding this story earlier today strayed beyond acceptable lines.
In fairness, it is inappropriate to make comments about parties beyond the scope of this news story. Mr. Ruark is fair game for your commentary; others are not.
Be reminded too that Mr. Ruark stands accused, but has not been convicted in a court of law.
The StoryChat Administrator will immediately remove any potentially libelous or defammatory comments. StoryChat members who violate the terms of service will be disabled from participation."
Grand Jury Postponed
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The case against the Fire Fighter in Hebron will be postponed immediately based on the situation referencing States Attorney Davis Ruark.
Davis vowed he would NOT have anything to do with ANY automobile cases, therefore the case that was supposed to go in front of a Grand Jury this Monday will be cancelled.
I don't know who's luckier, Davis or the Fire Fighter?
WMDT 47 News Will Have LIVE Coverage Of Davis Ruark
Ladies & Gentlemen, if you watch 47 news at 6:00 PM they will have a LIVE interview with Davis Ruark. This is NOT special treatment. Well, not the way one might think anyway. It turns out their equipment failed them today in the Press Conference at 11:30 so Mr. Ruark has agreed to go live at 6:00.
Speaking of his Press Conference, Mr. Ruark said.........
"I was wrong." It is not a good example of the chief law enforcement officer to operate a motor vehicle under the influence. "This is the saddest day of my professional career. I made an enormous mistake and I ask for your forgiveness as well as the people of Worcester County." Davis went on to explain how he will not be handling any DUI Cases, automobile cases or drug cases.
At the time of the Press Conference Davis had not yet spoken to Rick Pollitt and he will leave it up to his Staff to decide just what support and or lack thereof they present him with. Mr. Ruark has had only 1 speeding ticket in the past 30 years, so his record is clean. This DUI would be a first offense and would be treated as such.
"IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN," he said. He spoke with his Mother earlier this morning and stated, "It takes a lot out of you." He stated it was way too early to hold any discussion about resignation. I know some people are angry and I'm sorry. "If I do not have the support of my Staff and Law Enforcement, I will resign."
Speaking of his Press Conference, Mr. Ruark said.........
"I was wrong." It is not a good example of the chief law enforcement officer to operate a motor vehicle under the influence. "This is the saddest day of my professional career. I made an enormous mistake and I ask for your forgiveness as well as the people of Worcester County." Davis went on to explain how he will not be handling any DUI Cases, automobile cases or drug cases.
At the time of the Press Conference Davis had not yet spoken to Rick Pollitt and he will leave it up to his Staff to decide just what support and or lack thereof they present him with. Mr. Ruark has had only 1 speeding ticket in the past 30 years, so his record is clean. This DUI would be a first offense and would be treated as such.
"IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN," he said. He spoke with his Mother earlier this morning and stated, "It takes a lot out of you." He stated it was way too early to hold any discussion about resignation. I know some people are angry and I'm sorry. "If I do not have the support of my Staff and Law Enforcement, I will resign."
Salisbury 10, Lynchburg 9
Seagull Stadium
The story of this afternoon’s game is not about scoring or individual play. The story starts well before the season starts; before tryouts; before school even starts. Walking through campus it is not uncommon to see team members and hopefuls working out in the gym or around campus in large groups, with only a few, or just a single player working on the fundamentals. Salisbury Lacrosse members practice this way on their own accord with the utmost intensity and quality throughout the year. Only one word describes their ethic, play, and expectations; Excellence!
When Greg Titus connected for four goals or when Kylor Berkman dishes out four assists it was not because a few weeks of practice from the start of the semester. Every hit, loose ball, shot, blocked shot, save, and hustle play is because these athletes believe in excellence. Always striving for improvement and never wanting to accept anything less than the best drives this program to becoming a dynasty. Every team has it’s ups and downs. Salisbury lost the 2006 National Championship just to come back to start another winning streak and go undefeated for the 2007 National Championship. Still with the loss they only thing the lost was the game. Their commitment and resolve became greater!
Excellence brings out the best and it takes doing everything right every day to arrive at that level of play. Each game and practice cannot waver from this commitment to excellence. Two great teams met today. Lynchburg played a great game and pushed Salisbury to the edge. Salisbury is not stranger to these close games, especially in the playoffs. Teams gun for the Gulls. Today Salisbury got that reminder and came through in the end with the victory. It’s only the second game of the season and the battle has started to heat up! Many teams would buckle under a team like Lynchburg. Salisbury got their solid foundation months ago and are building once again to a championship year!
Full box score - http://www.suseagulls.com/sports/mlax/2007-08/stats/SALMLX02.HTM
The story of this afternoon’s game is not about scoring or individual play. The story starts well before the season starts; before tryouts; before school even starts. Walking through campus it is not uncommon to see team members and hopefuls working out in the gym or around campus in large groups, with only a few, or just a single player working on the fundamentals. Salisbury Lacrosse members practice this way on their own accord with the utmost intensity and quality throughout the year. Only one word describes their ethic, play, and expectations; Excellence!
When Greg Titus connected for four goals or when Kylor Berkman dishes out four assists it was not because a few weeks of practice from the start of the semester. Every hit, loose ball, shot, blocked shot, save, and hustle play is because these athletes believe in excellence. Always striving for improvement and never wanting to accept anything less than the best drives this program to becoming a dynasty. Every team has it’s ups and downs. Salisbury lost the 2006 National Championship just to come back to start another winning streak and go undefeated for the 2007 National Championship. Still with the loss they only thing the lost was the game. Their commitment and resolve became greater!
Excellence brings out the best and it takes doing everything right every day to arrive at that level of play. Each game and practice cannot waver from this commitment to excellence. Two great teams met today. Lynchburg played a great game and pushed Salisbury to the edge. Salisbury is not stranger to these close games, especially in the playoffs. Teams gun for the Gulls. Today Salisbury got that reminder and came through in the end with the victory. It’s only the second game of the season and the battle has started to heat up! Many teams would buckle under a team like Lynchburg. Salisbury got their solid foundation months ago and are building once again to a championship year!
Full box score - http://www.suseagulls.com/sports/mlax/2007-08/stats/SALMLX02.HTM
Draw Your Own Conclusion
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Look, after 34 years of service, you don't get called into Rick Pollitt's Office on a Saturday and resign. Rai Sharma, (IMO) has been terminated and Rick Pollitt, (in a classy way) terminated him.
It is the County Executive's responsibility to make such harsh decisions and I personally believe there's much more to this story than was introduced at today's Press Conference.
My guess is that Rai Sharma is in deep sh!t with this investigation and like it or not, this should tell others who have had their hands and or knowledge into ALL of the illegal/questionable charades should step forward and come clean before the Sheriff's Department comes to get you.
I guess what is really mind boggling is that these are employees with a lot of tenure. They were making way above the average salary for this area and had all the added benefits and still that wasn't enough. Just look at today's economy. At a time when way to many American families are sinking further into debt, losing their homes and unable to maintain health insurance policies that are covering less and less, we have public figures that are not only robbing us blind but doing with our tax dollars. And this is just on a local level. I shudder to think what kind of corruption gets swept under the rug on a national level.
Line Item Budgets should be immediately mandated. Could this also have spread into the City? When you have people in the SAME BUILDING for that many years, one would have to question, could this have spread elsewhere? A Line Item Budget would at least force accountability in both the County and City.
Then there's the question of just how long has or could this have been going on? I have a hunch this is bigger than anyone thinks, I could be wrong. However, I've been doing this long enough to know, something doesn't smell right, so draw your own conclusion.
Mark my words, there's more to this than meets the eye and I think the lid is about to blow clean off this investigation.
Taylor Oil Company Heads To Lewis Property
The Taylor Oil Company has been dispatched to the Lewis Construction Company to collect 6,000 gallons of Diesel Fuel found earlier today.
Normally I would head out there and take pictures but you know what, I'm beat! I already know what's going on and a photo of one of their trucks, (if I can even get a picture of it on their property) isn't going to make much of a difference.
Ladies & Gentlemen, all I can tell you is that this investigation is growing and like I expressed the other day in an article, they're going to get you if you're involved.
I strongly suggest that IF you know ANYTHING, contact Mike Lewis at the Sheriff's Department. Several Employees in the County have taken that advise and things have grown like you just wouldn't believe! You'd be far better off coming forward NOW then you would holding off and waiting for the Sheriff's Department to show up at your front door like they have done to several people so far and arrest you or bring you in for questioning.
Don't say I never warned you, seriously.
Normally I would head out there and take pictures but you know what, I'm beat! I already know what's going on and a photo of one of their trucks, (if I can even get a picture of it on their property) isn't going to make much of a difference.
Ladies & Gentlemen, all I can tell you is that this investigation is growing and like I expressed the other day in an article, they're going to get you if you're involved.
I strongly suggest that IF you know ANYTHING, contact Mike Lewis at the Sheriff's Department. Several Employees in the County have taken that advise and things have grown like you just wouldn't believe! You'd be far better off coming forward NOW then you would holding off and waiting for the Sheriff's Department to show up at your front door like they have done to several people so far and arrest you or bring you in for questioning.
Don't say I never warned you, seriously.
Worcester County, (O.C.) Tax Dollars Hard At Work
This Ocean City Public Works employee stopped, parked and left her vehicle in the right lane of traffic not to do her job but to make a withdraw from the A.T.M. This is not a side street, it's Baltimore Ave. on a Saturday. She was nice enough to put on her four way flashers. The time was 11:42 A.M. and the vehicle # was 563.
More Breaking News!!!!!
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Sheriff Mike Lewis and WBI have uncovered yet ANOTHER 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel on the property of Lewis Construction today!
The information is just coming in but the magnitude of this case has grown through the roof and I have been told by County Executive Rick Pollitt that Sheriff Lewis is asking for more resources as the case keeps growing and it is smothering their Staff.
Stay Tuned.........
Wicomico County Public Works Directos Resigns After 34 Years Today!
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Rai Sharma called it quits this morning after learning yet ANOTHER Public Works Employee came forward and exposed even more MASSIVE FRAUD against the County.
County Executive Rick Pollitt said in a Press Conference just moments ago, "Rai Sharma decided to retire immediately." He added, "I respect his decision. Mr. Pollitt wanted to assure the Public that Rai is in no way involved in any of the fraud. More simply, Rai placed trust in hundreds of people and they lied to him and he simply had enough.
More to come........
Wicomico County Is Seeing Its Fair Share Of Troubles
While I am angry at States Attorney Davis Ruark for driving under the influence of alcohol, I'm also concerned for a man I truly respect. I can easily recall a time in my life when I was going through a separation with my Ex Wife, I owned a Bar that was just opening and I thought, this could go one way or the other. I chose to quit drinking, period, end of story.
It probably made things much more difficult to deal with but as you can tell by the Blog, I have one of those personalities that when I get into something, I go all out. I didn't want that to happen with alcohol.
In Mr. Ruark's case, well, this is the man expected to set the example for ALL, similar to Sheriff Mike Lewis and yes, even Chief Webster. I can tell you that Sheriff Lewis would rather get up at 5:00 AM and work out than he would party the night away. He chose that as his vise while others chose alcohol.
I can tell you that in Mr. Ruark's case, not only was he aware of his position publicly, he was warned in the past to stay away from drinking and driving and obviously he did not listen. I am NOT saying this to go on the attack of a good friend/associate/States Attorney. I am doing so because it has become my job to tell it like it is and I have even had this conversation with Davis several weeks ago and he is well aware of the position he has placed me in.
In all reality, I too am very disappointed. Unless Mr. Ruark chooses to get into a program for this addiction/problem, I cannot support him. Not as a States Attorney anyway. As a friend/associate, I'll do everything in my powers to support him, should he choose to do something about this addiction. That's what we're supposed to do.
Frank White from Princess Anne took his punishment head on and Davis Ruark should do the same. Unfortunately, we all have experienced difficult times in our lives and I believe Davis has hit that stretch of road. No excuses Folks. However, I will be there to support him unless he refuses help and or treatment.
For those who believe this will be swept under the rug, you couldn't be further from the truth. Davis will face this head on and like I said, this could go one way or the other. Sometimes this kind of think can be life altering, (as it was for me) and he'll quit forever. Then again, some people think they're Superman and can get through anything, that happens a lot. Time will tell?
Wicomico County is certainly experiencing some very difficult times this past week. Ray Lewis, Ron Alessi, Several Employees and now Davis Ruark. I wouldn't want to walk in County Executive Rick Pollitt's shoes right now.
That's "Keepin It Real."
It probably made things much more difficult to deal with but as you can tell by the Blog, I have one of those personalities that when I get into something, I go all out. I didn't want that to happen with alcohol.
In Mr. Ruark's case, well, this is the man expected to set the example for ALL, similar to Sheriff Mike Lewis and yes, even Chief Webster. I can tell you that Sheriff Lewis would rather get up at 5:00 AM and work out than he would party the night away. He chose that as his vise while others chose alcohol.
I can tell you that in Mr. Ruark's case, not only was he aware of his position publicly, he was warned in the past to stay away from drinking and driving and obviously he did not listen. I am NOT saying this to go on the attack of a good friend/associate/States Attorney. I am doing so because it has become my job to tell it like it is and I have even had this conversation with Davis several weeks ago and he is well aware of the position he has placed me in.
In all reality, I too am very disappointed. Unless Mr. Ruark chooses to get into a program for this addiction/problem, I cannot support him. Not as a States Attorney anyway. As a friend/associate, I'll do everything in my powers to support him, should he choose to do something about this addiction. That's what we're supposed to do.
Frank White from Princess Anne took his punishment head on and Davis Ruark should do the same. Unfortunately, we all have experienced difficult times in our lives and I believe Davis has hit that stretch of road. No excuses Folks. However, I will be there to support him unless he refuses help and or treatment.
For those who believe this will be swept under the rug, you couldn't be further from the truth. Davis will face this head on and like I said, this could go one way or the other. Sometimes this kind of think can be life altering, (as it was for me) and he'll quit forever. Then again, some people think they're Superman and can get through anything, that happens a lot. Time will tell?
Wicomico County is certainly experiencing some very difficult times this past week. Ray Lewis, Ron Alessi, Several Employees and now Davis Ruark. I wouldn't want to walk in County Executive Rick Pollitt's shoes right now.
That's "Keepin It Real."
Wicomico County States Attorney Davis Ruark Was Arrested Last Night In OC For DUI
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Police arrested States Attorney Davis Ruark Friday night.
Someone called and report a vehicle driving erratically down Rt. 90 and gave a description and tag number to the vehicle. The vehicle Davis was driving is owned by Wicomico County. He also failed several sobriety tests.
More to come.......