WCSO Press Releases

Incident: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Date: 29 May 2008
Location: 1500 Block of Emerson Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspects:
1. Carolyn D. Jenkins, 49, Salisbury, MD
2. Laurie A. Adkins, 32, Essington, PA

On 29 May 2008, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was sent to the parking lot of the Knights of Columbus Council Hall located on Emerson Avenue for a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a vehicle with PA registration occupied by two female subjects. After speaking with the two subjects, the deputy further investigated the circumstances around their presence in the lot and discovered them both to in possession of crack cocaine smoking devices. Also one of the women, Laurie Adkins, was found to have crack cocaine in her possession.

Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where they were processed and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance on Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. After an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, both subjects were released on Personal Recognizance

Incident: Assault
Date: 29 May 2008
Location: 30000 Block of Johnson Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Ralph Wayne Jones, Sr., 47, Salisbury, MD

On 27 May 2008, a deputy responded to a residence in the 30000 block of Johnson Road in Salisbury, MD for a report of an assault. Upon arrival, the deputy located a victim who claimed to have been involved in an argument with Ralph Jones who during the argument held a sword to the victim’s throat and threatened to chop the victim up. Jones was unable to be found by the deputy who then obtained a warrant for Jones’ arrest. The warrant charged Jones with Assault 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment and a Dangerous Weapon Charge.

On 28 May 2008, Jones was arrested on the outstanding warrant and transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center. After being processed Jones was taken for an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, after which Jones was held on $20,000.00 bond in the Detention Center.


Incident: Assault
Date: 31 May 2008
Location: 2700 Block of Old Ocean City Rd, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Herman Walter Schevel, 54, Salisbury, MD

On 31 May 2008, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address on Old Ocean City Road to investigate an assault. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a victim who claimed to have been assaulted by Herman W. Schevel. During the course of the investigation, it was alleged that the assailant threw the victim to the ground and banged the victims head repeatedly on the floor. At the conclusion of the investigation, the assailant Schevel was arrested.

Schevel was transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where Schevel was processed and charged with second degree assault. After an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Schevel was held on $10,000.00 bond

An Open Question

Last spring started a project to improve the quality of City Park. Rocks were put along the shoreline as well as plants along the banks. Both made the area look better, especially the rocks. City park is one of my favorite places in the area as it is home for fishermen, families, runners, tennis players, walkers, picnics, and so on. You can head through the trails at the top of the park, the area from the baseball field to the Schumaker Pond's spillway and feel like you are not in a city.

My questions, and if this question has already been posted on here in the past let me know, are when will work on improving the park start up again? What has been budgeted and planned out?

It is just looking like things might be laying a little fallow and some maintenance needs to be done on controlling the plants on the shore line. I just would like to start a little discussion on this. I would like to see how nice this area can get for everyone to enjoy.

What's everyone's thoughts on this?

As you can tell from the pics both sides are getting a bit overgrown limiting access to the water for fishermen.

An Afternoon At City Park

City park was busy today as I walked around fishing. I only caught a few fish, but saw some nice size carp which roam from the zoo to the spillway. You can catch carp many ways including chumming with canned corn with a hook of corn and a host of stinky baits you would use for catfish can also be used. Despite their size they spook easily and can be selective eaters outside of their natural scavenging forage.

The bass are starting to hold along the banks. If the water is clear enough you can sight fish along the banks looking for their beds. The trick is getting them to bite. I spent 25 minutes trying to coax a 4lb to hit. Wouldn't strike. It is a game of patience and some days you get them to bite other days you wont. Last spring I caught and saw others catch 5lb bass regularly through the park area.

The best fisherman was the blue heron in the bottom two pictures who caught a fish and brought to the bank to eat. I watched the heron for 10 minutes as it strutted around its catch pecking at so it could eat. I just missed getting a pic of it coming out of the water with it.

Lot's of friends and families were out at the zoo, Ben's Red Swings, Picnic Island, and up and down the river fishing. This family was pulling up catfish, bluegill, perch, and sunfish all day long and the kids were having a blast.

Guess Who's No Longer Driving?

Mr. John Wade has been seen being chauffeured around Princess Anne today. His Wife is now behind the wheel as Mr. Wade obviously does not have a Maryland or New Jersey Drivers License.

Mr. Wade asked the local Princess Anne Barber Shop, (that mainly serves the African American Clientele) to post his campaign sign in the window and they have refused to allow it. Instead, rumor has it they instead called Mr. Frank White and asked him to deliver one of his instead.

Nevertheless, if the local Police Department needs proof that Mr. Wade was in fact driving this vehicle, pictures don't lie.

Wicomico Remembers TODAY AT 10:00 AM

To Honor Those who Made the Supreme Sacrifice

Salisbury, MD –

What: Memorial Day Ceremony

When: Saturday, May 31 at 10:00am

Where: Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial (located outside the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center). Rain location will be the WY&CC’s Midway Room.

Details: All are encouraged to attend this rain or shine event, which is free and open to the public. As part of the ceremony, there will be a lowering of the colors, ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers, reading of names and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department.

Ed. Note: In 2002, a group of veterans from all branches of the military came together to honor and preserve the memory of Wicomico County’s fallen heroes. As a result, the Wicomico County War Veterans Memorial was erected at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, which is itself a living war memorial to all veterans. Flags from each service branch, along with a United States, Maryland, Wicomico County and the POW-MIA flag now proudly fly over a brick wall displaying bronze plagues with the 187 names of Wicomico County’s fallen veterans from World War II and beyond.

Question of the Day, Sat 5/31

What's the last thing you bought online? Were you happy with your purchase? Do you buy frequently from websites like Ebay, Overstock, etc.? Where do you find your best deals online?

A Letter To The Daily Times

A Reader of Salisbury News sent me the following:

"I called last week and spoke with a gentleman in Customer Service concerning not receiving my papers. The situation has not gotten any better and delivery is very sporadic. I would appreciate a reply as to how I can be guaranteed a paper delivery everyday. There is never an issue taking that payment from my acct once a month. I was also told I would be receiving a credit and have yet to see one. If I do not see results within the next week I will be cancelling my subscription and also passing along my experience to anyone considering purchasing "The Daily Times." Thanks for your immediate attention and response to this matter."

TGM Audit Report Gor Dochester County

http://docogonet.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=302&cntnt01returnid=77

How does this stack up to trice’s audit presentation for salisbury?

Audit Presentation

Tom Trice, Certified Public Accountant for Trice, Geary & Myers, introduced Roy Geiser, Accountant, and presented the Council with an overview of the audit for the year that ended on June 30, 2007. Mr. Trice stated that the County’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $51.7 million of which $13.2 million may be used to meet the County’s ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors. He explained that the County’s overall financial position had improved since the prior fiscal year with total net assets increasing by $3.1 million or 6.4% and that the contributing factors for this increase were a $2.5 million increase in investment in capital assets, net of related debt and a $0.7 million increase in restricted net assets. Mr. Trice stated that as of the close of FY07, the County’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances were $15.1 million, a decrease of $1.0 million from the prior year’s ending fund balance and that out of the total ending fund balances, $10.9 million was unreserved and therefore available for spending at the County’s discretion. He explained that the unreserved fund balance for the General Fund was $4.3 million and that the County’s long term debt decreased by $2.6 million during FY07 due to the County having no major debt issuances during the fiscal year and the treatment of $2.5 million in general obligation bonds.

Mr. Trice expressed his belief that more personnel were needed for the Finance Department based on an increased workload and the risk based auditing requirements that were recently implemented.

In response to a question from Councilman Nichols as to the status of the County’s debt service, Mr. Spears noted that the debt service had decreased from FY06.

Councilwoman Elzey questioned what would happen if new procedures were not implemented to take into account the new risk based auditing requirements. Mr. Spears stated that he anticipated that the procedures would be in place before the new audit commences.

Based on a question from Councilwoman Elzey as to whether or not there was reduction in yearend journal entries, Mr. Spears noted that those entries were drastically reduced to 13 for FY07 and would be reduced even further for FY08.

In response to a question from Councilman Newcomb as to how the County rated on a scale of one to ten, Mr. Trice noted that the County’s financial results were satisfactory but that there were still some administrative challenges County staff faced in grants accounting and administration.

Based on a question from Wendell Foxwell, a resident of Dorchester County, as to whether or not the County has set aside reserve funds, Mr. Spears explained that the County sets aside 5% of the General Fund Operating Budget each year and that any fund balance remaining at the end of each year is set aside and used for capital expenditures in subsequent years. He noted that the fund balance at the end of 2007 was $1.8 million and that those funds would be used in FY09 for capital projects to reduce the issuance of debt for capital needs.

The Council thanked Mr. Trice for his presentation.

The Council discussed an Audit Engagement Letter with Trice, Geary, Myers for professional auditing services for one year at a cost not to exceed $70,000 including providing assistance to the County with documentation of risk base auditing at the cost of $15,000 and agreed to execute the letter. The Council acknowledged that the fee for the auditing services will be at the standard hourly rates plus out-of-pocket costs, including report reproduction, typing, postage, travel, copies, telephone and that if the audit time schedule could not be adhered to by the County, the County would have the following options: 1) that services would not be provided during the period of December 1, 2008 through April 15, 2009 and the fee for the services will remain at a cost not to exceed $70,000 or 2) Trice Geary and Myers will continue to work during the period of December 1, 2008 through April 15, 2009 but will bill at standard hourly rates and would not be subject to requirement that the fee will not exceed $70,000. The Council further acknowledged that if audit is not completed by December 1, 2008, a new agreement will be presented for the Council’s review and consideration.

On Your Side Blog Offers The Following Article About Stuart Leer

Salisbury v. Leer Case Available Here

Since Stuart Leer spoke during public comment Monday night (May 27) as a property owner who had gone through legal cases with the City, many constituents have asked us about the case and its costs. The case originally concerned whether Mr. Leer had reconstructed a porch in compliance with the City's Historic District requirements.

Mr. Leer was cited for performing work not approved by the Historic District Commission. In response, he appeared before the Commission and was denied approval for the porch reconstruction, already far in progress. Representing himself, Mr. Leer appealed to the Circuit Court in Wicomico County, where he won his case based on the bias of the Commission. The City then appealed the Circuit Court's decision to the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis. Again representing himself, Mr. Leer won that case.

The "unreported" opinion of the Court of Special Appeals (special appeals cases often are not published, but can be obtained by request) is found on the website at right under Documents of Interest, below our pictures. The cost of legal expenses to the taxpayers of Salisbury breaks down as follows:

Historic District Commission Hearing $0.00 (city legal counsel was not present)
Circuit Court - Wicomico County $6,351.00
Court of Special Appeals - Annapolis $11,849.75
Total $18,200.75

We hope this information and the downloadable PDF file of the opinion transcript helps answer the many questions we have received. Citizens will find other portions of the May 27 meeting instructive concerning budget matters and other aspects of city government.

The audio of the May 27 council meeting is available on the city website now and will be available on our website later today. The PAC14 taping of that same city council meeting will likely replay Monday, June 2, at 6 p.m. PAC14 now carries streaming video of its programming.

GO HERE to see their official article.

Disclaimer
The views expressed in this newsletter are those of Councilwomen Campbell and Cohen solely and do not necessarily represent those of other council members.

SPD Press Releases

On May 29, 2008 at approximately 9:51 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department Community Action Team were in the area of Railroad Avenue when one of the officers observed what the officer believed to be a controlled dangerous substance transaction. The suspect involved in the transaction, listed below, was stopped and was found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected crack/cocaine and a quantity of suspected methadone.

ARRESTED: Anthony Wayne Lloyd, 47 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of cocaine
Possession of methadone
Possession of cds/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800018929

On May 30, 2008 at approximately 2:15 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department executed a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations in the area of Light Street and Maryland Avenue. Immediately upon making the stop, the suspect exited the vehicle. The suspect became combative with the officer and caused a disturbance in the neighborhood. As the officers attempted to quiet the suspect the suspect assaulted the officers and then was taken into custody.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 17 years of age Fruitland, Maryland

CHARGES:
Assault of a police officer
Second degree assault
Disobeying a lawful order
Three (3) traffic violations

DISPOSITION: Released to Parent CC # 200800018945