Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Charlotte's WBTV is reporting information given by CMPD in their "After Action Report".
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say their objective for the CIAA Tournament was to maintain a safe environment.
The Charlotte Fire Department, Medic, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and other agencies say their plan was successful.
CIAA organizers estimate more than 100,000 people visited uptown for tournament-related events.
During the three-day period from February 28 until March 3, CMPD reports no major incidents related to CIAA were reported. 21 adults were arrested. That's down from 31 arrests last year.
Those arrests were mostly for alcohol-related charges, larceny, trespassing, public affray (fighting), and strong arm robbery.
From the tone of the news and the report from CMPD the CIAA would seem to be a full and complete success, with little if any disturbances or arrests.
But Cedar Posts has learned than CMPD's lower arrest number don't mean that crime during the event was down, rather it was simply CMPD has underestimated the man power needed during the event and patron were just let to "run amok" in Charlotte's Uptown.
CP has third hand knowledge of one CMPD Officer who was blindsided from behind as he tried to break up a fight. After being knocked to the ground by the man the officer responded by body slamming the man despite being half his size. At that point things really got out of hand, and being out numbered the CMPD Officer and his Captain decided to retreat.
CMPD Officer's coming off of 1st and 2nd shifts on Saturday where "Voluntold" to work secondary assignments on Saturday. Many who had to report back for their shift the following morning.
While the arrests were down, reports of patron openly smoking pot, drinking and fighting indicate that perhaps CMPD just elected to like the CIAA Fans have a "good time" and not interfere.
Cedar's Take: I don't disagree with the concept of containment only. However when the PIO sends out a press release that claims success they might want to put an asterisk so that the citizens don't confuse the CIAA with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say their objective for the CIAA Tournament was to maintain a safe environment.
The Charlotte Fire Department, Medic, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and other agencies say their plan was successful.
CIAA organizers estimate more than 100,000 people visited uptown for tournament-related events.
During the three-day period from February 28 until March 3, CMPD reports no major incidents related to CIAA were reported. 21 adults were arrested. That's down from 31 arrests last year.
Those arrests were mostly for alcohol-related charges, larceny, trespassing, public affray (fighting), and strong arm robbery.
From the tone of the news and the report from CMPD the CIAA would seem to be a full and complete success, with little if any disturbances or arrests.
But Cedar Posts has learned than CMPD's lower arrest number don't mean that crime during the event was down, rather it was simply CMPD has underestimated the man power needed during the event and patron were just let to "run amok" in Charlotte's Uptown.
CP has third hand knowledge of one CMPD Officer who was blindsided from behind as he tried to break up a fight. After being knocked to the ground by the man the officer responded by body slamming the man despite being half his size. At that point things really got out of hand, and being out numbered the CMPD Officer and his Captain decided to retreat.
CMPD Officer's coming off of 1st and 2nd shifts on Saturday where "Voluntold" to work secondary assignments on Saturday. Many who had to report back for their shift the following morning.
While the arrests were down, reports of patron openly smoking pot, drinking and fighting indicate that perhaps CMPD just elected to like the CIAA Fans have a "good time" and not interfere.
Cedar's Take: I don't disagree with the concept of containment only. However when the PIO sends out a press release that claims success they might want to put an asterisk so that the citizens don't confuse the CIAA with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Fired officer's case provides inside look at how CMPD disciplines officers
A rare public view of a fired officer's attempt to keep his job may motivate other officers in trouble to open their appeal hearings, according to the president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg fraternal order of police.
Last week, the Charlotte Civil Service Board upheld the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's decision to fire Chuck Adkins, a former captain who had worked in Internal Affairs, Communications and in the watch commander's office.
Stories about the appeal hearing were broadcast on TV and written about in the paper, and watched closely by the department's nearly 1,800 sworn officers.
The department said Adkins broke CMPD policy by failing to immediately alert law enforcement officers about his Sept. 19 conversation with a woman who came to his home while he was in his garage, with his marked CMPD cruiser parked outside.
Adkins took the unusual step of asking that his Civil Service Board hearing be open to the public. He also notified several media outlets, including the Observer, about the hearing. (Officers who are disciplined by the department can appeal to the civil service board. Disciplined officers can also request that their hearings be open to the public, though most don't.)
In an e-mail to the Observer, Adkins said "I hope members of the media will attend as several CMPD employees who feel they were unjustly 'targeted' in the past plan on attending part or all of this hearing."
Adkins wasn't a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, which sometimes helps pay the legal costs of officers accused of wrongdoing by the department.
But Todd Walther, a CMPD sergeant and the president of the FOP, said Adkins' case could motivate other officers to elect to have open hearings.
"It allows the community to see them as a real human being instead of just a uniform," Walther said. "It's not a secret. We make mistakes just like anyone. I think in an open forum, it could be positive to show that we're not just a badge and a gun." -- Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
A rare public view of a fired officer's attempt to keep his job may motivate other officers in trouble to open their appeal hearings, according to the president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg fraternal order of police.
Last week, the Charlotte Civil Service Board upheld the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's decision to fire Chuck Adkins, a former captain who had worked in Internal Affairs, Communications and in the watch commander's office.
Stories about the appeal hearing were broadcast on TV and written about in the paper, and watched closely by the department's nearly 1,800 sworn officers.
The department said Adkins broke CMPD policy by failing to immediately alert law enforcement officers about his Sept. 19 conversation with a woman who came to his home while he was in his garage, with his marked CMPD cruiser parked outside.
Adkins took the unusual step of asking that his Civil Service Board hearing be open to the public. He also notified several media outlets, including the Observer, about the hearing. (Officers who are disciplined by the department can appeal to the civil service board. Disciplined officers can also request that their hearings be open to the public, though most don't.)
In an e-mail to the Observer, Adkins said "I hope members of the media will attend as several CMPD employees who feel they were unjustly 'targeted' in the past plan on attending part or all of this hearing."
Adkins wasn't a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, which sometimes helps pay the legal costs of officers accused of wrongdoing by the department.
But Todd Walther, a CMPD sergeant and the president of the FOP, said Adkins' case could motivate other officers to elect to have open hearings.
"It allows the community to see them as a real human being instead of just a uniform," Walther said. "It's not a secret. We make mistakes just like anyone. I think in an open forum, it could be positive to show that we're not just a badge and a gun." -- Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
West Hartford - A Gay Connecticut couple are in court this week fighting for the right to adopt a 18 month old boy. The adoption agency sponsored by the Hartford Area Catholic Diocese says they lied on their application by using the one man's nick name "Toni" rather than his given name Thomas.
The men both in their 50's also stated they has tried for years to have a child but where unsuccessful due to fertility issues.
The Hartford Area Diocese had let the couple serve as foster parents even though they had never actually met Toni.
Cedar's Take: Oh I'm sure I'll hear about this one, but you got to feel bad for the kid. In the parent lottery this poor guy has rolled snake eyes two times in a row. Your birth parents dump you and then you not only do get two gay guys as your adoptive parents but they are idiots.
CIAA Tournament - Officials portrayed last week's events a success and stated they can't wait to return next year. CMPD reported only 21 arrests and added that the week was remarkably calm citing lower arrests than last year.
But is that true?
CP hears that CMPD Officers on more than one occasion just let the brawls and fights play out.
In one situation the Officers were by far out numbered with one Captain ordering a "retreat" stating it just wasn't "worth the risk" to try and arrest the instigators. Might have been a wise choice.
Seems CMPD was understaffed, with dozens of officers being told late Frida and Saturday that they were being "Voluntold" to work the CIAA after completing their regular shift.
Metro Transit Police Department - Officers In Washington DC are pretty lean on patrol cars since they spend most of their time riding the rails. However CP hears they have just ordered a fully tricked out SUV for the Chief.
This would not be odd except the chief of MTPD resigned back in December and is supposed to leave after 30+ years at the end of this month.
Charlotte Taxpayers, a title that is tossed around and given to just about anyone. The Charlotte Observer recently referred to Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake as "serving west Charlotte Taxpayers".
But the truth is, West Charlotte is over run with people who pay little if any taxes.
Cedar Posts personally pays property tax in 28277, 28209, 28208 and in Charleston, South Carolina. But the only say in how that money is spent comes via Bill James and Warren Cooksey.
Even though I pay an amazing amount of taxes in "West Charlotte" Vilma Leake doesn't represent me.
In addition to property tax I also pay state and federal income tax, again I have little say so in how that money is spent. I also have a pretty good feeling that many of West Charlotte's residents earn incomes that are un-taxable.
They are not tax free just un-taxable. Income from drug dealing, selling stolen property, prostitution, insurance fraud and scamming the system, all cash and un-taxable. Food stamps are not taxable income nor are purchases made with food stamps subject to sales tax.
Since much of the property in west Charlotte is not owner occupied and the tax payers live elsewhere the "taxpayers" are not really represented.
The bottom line is those of us who pay the majority of property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes in Mecklenburg County have a disproportional lack of representation within the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
In other words Vilma Leake represents the "Citizens of West Charlotte" not the taxpayers.
The men both in their 50's also stated they has tried for years to have a child but where unsuccessful due to fertility issues.
The Hartford Area Diocese had let the couple serve as foster parents even though they had never actually met Toni.
Cedar's Take: Oh I'm sure I'll hear about this one, but you got to feel bad for the kid. In the parent lottery this poor guy has rolled snake eyes two times in a row. Your birth parents dump you and then you not only do get two gay guys as your adoptive parents but they are idiots.
CIAA Tournament - Officials portrayed last week's events a success and stated they can't wait to return next year. CMPD reported only 21 arrests and added that the week was remarkably calm citing lower arrests than last year.
But is that true?
CP hears that CMPD Officers on more than one occasion just let the brawls and fights play out.
In one situation the Officers were by far out numbered with one Captain ordering a "retreat" stating it just wasn't "worth the risk" to try and arrest the instigators. Might have been a wise choice.
Seems CMPD was understaffed, with dozens of officers being told late Frida and Saturday that they were being "Voluntold" to work the CIAA after completing their regular shift.
Metro Transit Police Department - Officers In Washington DC are pretty lean on patrol cars since they spend most of their time riding the rails. However CP hears they have just ordered a fully tricked out SUV for the Chief.
This would not be odd except the chief of MTPD resigned back in December and is supposed to leave after 30+ years at the end of this month.
Charlotte Taxpayers, a title that is tossed around and given to just about anyone. The Charlotte Observer recently referred to Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake as "serving west Charlotte Taxpayers".
But the truth is, West Charlotte is over run with people who pay little if any taxes.
Cedar Posts personally pays property tax in 28277, 28209, 28208 and in Charleston, South Carolina. But the only say in how that money is spent comes via Bill James and Warren Cooksey.
Even though I pay an amazing amount of taxes in "West Charlotte" Vilma Leake doesn't represent me.
In addition to property tax I also pay state and federal income tax, again I have little say so in how that money is spent. I also have a pretty good feeling that many of West Charlotte's residents earn incomes that are un-taxable.
They are not tax free just un-taxable. Income from drug dealing, selling stolen property, prostitution, insurance fraud and scamming the system, all cash and un-taxable. Food stamps are not taxable income nor are purchases made with food stamps subject to sales tax.
Since much of the property in west Charlotte is not owner occupied and the tax payers live elsewhere the "taxpayers" are not really represented.
The bottom line is those of us who pay the majority of property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes in Mecklenburg County have a disproportional lack of representation within the Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
In other words Vilma Leake represents the "Citizens of West Charlotte" not the taxpayers.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Cedar Posts comes from a long line of Scots and Irish. Glenoe in the Scottish Highlands to be exact and yes William Wallace is in there Some where.
O'Shaunassey and O'Hare on my side of the family and on Mrs. Cedar's side of the family O'Henry and O'Dell so if there is one thing I know it it's my Irish roots.
So nothing gets me going like a promo for a St. Patrick's Day event being billed as "St. Patty's" !
A little primer from Marcus Campbell a fellow Irishman:
Each and every year millions of Irish, Irish-ish and amateur alcoholics are needlessly distracted from their Holy Tradition of drinking themselves into a stupor in the name of Saint Patrick, a Roman Briton slave holding the dubious honour of bringing Christianity to an island that would use it as another convenient excuse to blatter the hell out of each other for centuries.
The source of this terrible distraction?
An onslaught of half-hearted, dyed-green references to St. Patrick’s Day as St. Patty’s Day.
It gnaws at them. It riles them up. It makes them want to fight… you know, more than usual.
IT'S PADDY, NOT PATTY, NOT EVER.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY? GRAND.
PADDY’S DAY? SURE, DEAD-ON.
ST. PAT’S? AYE, IF YE MUST.
ST. PATTY? NO, YE GOAT!
Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig, hence those mysterious, emerald double-Ds.
Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a hamburger, and just not something you call a fella.
There is not a sinner in Ireland that would refer to a Patrick as “Patty”. It’s as simple as that.
And while we are addressing the Patron Saint of Ireland,
Shamrock isn’t just any auld piece of clover: it’s three-leafed. Tradition holds that St. Patrick used shamrock to teach the Trinity, so give it a bit o’ thought before ye slap a four-leaf clover on yer plastic leprechaun hat.
While I’m at it:
Irish Car Bomb isn’t a cute name for a drink or a cupcake and, if you are pushing shite like this, cut it out. Those of us that lived their lives punctuated by car bombs aren’t giggling along with you. 25-year-old Ronan Kerr was murdered in April 2011 by an Irish car bomb and he can’t join you for a drink. If nothing else, for Christ’s sake, stop putting money into cans for vague causes.
Paddy, Mick and Taig/Teague/Tadhg have been used as ethnic slurs for centuries—sure—but they’re still just names. However stereotypical it is, it isn’t a slur to call you by your actual name. Nonetheless, some folk are under the impression that “Paddy” is terrible but changing a couple of letters to Patty will make it magically OK. They don’t know their arses from their elbows.
O'Shaunassey and O'Hare on my side of the family and on Mrs. Cedar's side of the family O'Henry and O'Dell so if there is one thing I know it it's my Irish roots.
So nothing gets me going like a promo for a St. Patrick's Day event being billed as "St. Patty's" !
A little primer from Marcus Campbell a fellow Irishman:
Each and every year millions of Irish, Irish-ish and amateur alcoholics are needlessly distracted from their Holy Tradition of drinking themselves into a stupor in the name of Saint Patrick, a Roman Briton slave holding the dubious honour of bringing Christianity to an island that would use it as another convenient excuse to blatter the hell out of each other for centuries.
The source of this terrible distraction?
An onslaught of half-hearted, dyed-green references to St. Patrick’s Day as St. Patty’s Day.
It gnaws at them. It riles them up. It makes them want to fight… you know, more than usual.
IT'S PADDY, NOT PATTY, NOT EVER.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY? GRAND.
PADDY’S DAY? SURE, DEAD-ON.
ST. PAT’S? AYE, IF YE MUST.
ST. PATTY? NO, YE GOAT!
Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig, hence those mysterious, emerald double-Ds.
Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a hamburger, and just not something you call a fella.
There is not a sinner in Ireland that would refer to a Patrick as “Patty”. It’s as simple as that.
And while we are addressing the Patron Saint of Ireland,
Shamrock isn’t just any auld piece of clover: it’s three-leafed. Tradition holds that St. Patrick used shamrock to teach the Trinity, so give it a bit o’ thought before ye slap a four-leaf clover on yer plastic leprechaun hat.
While I’m at it:
Irish Car Bomb isn’t a cute name for a drink or a cupcake and, if you are pushing shite like this, cut it out. Those of us that lived their lives punctuated by car bombs aren’t giggling along with you. 25-year-old Ronan Kerr was murdered in April 2011 by an Irish car bomb and he can’t join you for a drink. If nothing else, for Christ’s sake, stop putting money into cans for vague causes.
Paddy, Mick and Taig/Teague/Tadhg have been used as ethnic slurs for centuries—sure—but they’re still just names. However stereotypical it is, it isn’t a slur to call you by your actual name. Nonetheless, some folk are under the impression that “Paddy” is terrible but changing a couple of letters to Patty will make it magically OK. They don’t know their arses from their elbows.
Saturday, 2 March 2013
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 20, 2013 in Thomson, GA
Aircraft: BEECH 390, registration: N777VG
Injuries: 5 Fatal,2 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators traveled in support of this investigation and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On February 20, 2013, at 2006 eastern standard time, a Beechcraft 390 Premier 1A, N777VG, was destroyed following a collision with a utility pole, trees, and terrain following a go-around at Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport (HQU), Thomson, Georgia. The airline transport-rated pilot and co-pilot were seriously injured, and five passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the Pavilion Group LLC and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated at John C. Tune Airport (JWN), Nashville, Tennessee, about 1828 central standard time (1928 eastern standard time).
The purpose of the flight was to transport staff members of a vascular surgery practice from Nashville to Thomson, where the airplane was based. According to initial air traffic control information, the pilot checked in with Augusta approach control and reported HQU in sight. About 2003, the pilot cancelled visual flight rules flight-following services and continued toward HQU. The last recorded radar return was observed about 2005, when the airplane was at an indicated altitude of 700 feet above mean sea level and 1/2 mile from the airport. There were no distress calls received from the crew prior to the accident.
Witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be in position to land when the pilot discontinued the approach and commenced a go-around. The witnesses observed the airplane continue down the runway at a low altitude.
The airplane struck a poured-concrete utility pole and braided wires about 59 feet above ground level. The pole was located about 1/4 mile east the departure end of runway 10. The utility pole was not lighted. During the initial impact with the utility pole, the outboard section of the left wing was severed. The airplane continued another 1/4 mile east before colliding with trees and terrain. A postcrash fire ensued and consumed a majority of the airframe. The engines separated from the fuselage during the impact sequence. On-scene examination of the wreckage revealed that all primary airframe structural components were accounted for at the accident site. The landing gear were found in the down (extended) position, and the flap handle was found in the 10-degree (go-around) position.
An initial inspection of the airport revealed that the pilot-controlled runway lights were operational. An examination of conditions recorded on an airport security camera showed that the runway lights were on the low intensity setting at the time of the accident. The airport did not have a control tower. An inspection of the runway surface did not reveal any unusual tire marks or debris.
Weather conditions at HQU near the time of the accident included calm wind and clear skies.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Kenan Gay - The Ides of March will be upon Kenan Gay this month. His trail date has been set for March 21, 2013 Mecklenburg County Court House Room 5350 for the a.m. session.
Last year Andrew Murray lowered the bar on the prosecution of Kenan Gay from 1st Degree Murder to 2nd Degree Murder.
Gay is charged with dragging Robert "Bobby" Kingston to the edge of Park Road and throwing him into on coming traffic where he was struck and killed.
Gay’s attorney has argued that the victim, Kingston had been harassing Gay’s girlfriend, the relationship of which has long since ended.
The Charlotte Observer reported that Kingston repeatedly approached on Gay’s girlfriend:
Over about a 30-minute period, [defense attorney David] Rudolf said, the video shows that Kingston first talked with the girlfriend, next rubbed up against her and then put his arm around her shoulder.
The girlfriend was dancing by the open door, Rudolf said, when Gay overheard Kingston tell friends, “Watch this.” Kingston then approached the girlfriend again, the motion said, put his arms around her, “grabbed her by her buttocks and attempted to kiss her on the mouth.”
“To stop Kingston from assaulting Elizabeth, (Gay) simply grabbed Kingston and pushed him outside the bar,” the motion said. “He did not punch Kingston, or otherwise retaliate…. What happened thereafter, according to several witnesses, was that Kingston, who was intoxicated, stumbled into the street in front of a passing car.”
That’s a different story than what the bar owner and other witnesses have told police immediately after the event.
The Mecklenburg County DA's Office contended that Gay muscled and intoxicated Kingston right up to the sidewalk and pushed him into traffic.
Gay has been out of jail on a $100,000 bond. Word among those who seem to know these things is that Murray offered a deal the included a limited amount of prison time and house arrest. The offer was turned down by the defense.
New City Manager - Ron Carlee has is work cut out for himself as the Charlotte Observer's Editorial points out. The Observer points out the obvious and asks to transparency.
Cedar Posts makes a much more direct suggestion, maybe it is time for some serious house cleaning. The Charlotte City Clerk Stephanie Kelly has been a poor performer for as long as I can remember, so lets see some heads roll!
The first and most important role of the City Clerk is to record the minutes of each Council meeting. The City's web site states: "City Council minutes are semi-verbatim and are available on the web and for general distribution approximately two to three weeks after a Council meeting date."
However a check shows that the current back log is four months. The most recent minutes available are from October 2012. Charlotte City Council minutes are here.
Last year Cedar Posts contacted Council member Andy Dulin about the delay and he replied that he had no idea why they were so far behind. Emails to City Clerk Stephine Kelly went unanswered.
In July Kelly told Charlotte City Council:
"The Clerk’s Office experienced significant staffing challenges in FY12 resulting in a backlog of minutes. After remaining vacant for half of FY12, a new minutes clerk has been hired and will work in conjunction with a retired minutes clerk to bring minutes up to date and to stay within established performance targets."
Kelly however did point out many positive accomplishments including:
"Staff made great contributions to our community by conducting a pizza fundraiser to benefit United Way, a hot dog sale and cornhole tournament to benefit the Arts and Science Council. "
Stephine Kelly's FY 2013 Strategic Operating Plan is here.
Cedar's Take: If Ron Carlee is serious about his job Kelly should be relieved of her command otherwise the new City Manager's nick name will be Ronnie Carefree.
CDIA - Orr Wars - Hard to tell who will come out of top over the Charlotte Douglas International Airport turf wars, but the tide may have shifted, as the fast track push to free CDIA from Charlotte has apparently stalled.
Don't let that stop Jerry Orr from planning ahead.
Last week Orr and his staff held meetings with Charlotte Aviation Department employees.
Reports from one source stated Orr outlined the following changes a coming once the new authority is in place:
All city of Charlotte airport employees will become private employees and will no longer be in the local government retirement system.
Long term plans are to push the TSA out of the airport and go back to post 911 private contracted security workers at the checkpoints.
He will still be in charge and apparently stated that he would be appointed to the head of the board.
But Jerry Orr's down fall may be his never ending quest to "build" the airport. All that construction has come at a staggering cost, funded by the nearly $800 million in public debt and while tied to CDIA revenue the fail safe is that it is also tired to the City of Charlotte.
Off Duty CMPD Officer - ends up on the wrong end of pepper spray. From the Charlotte Observer:
York County authorities are investigating after an off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, Arthur Sommerville said he was pepper-sprayed while trying to sell a phone to someone he talked to on Craigslist.
The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. Thursday at a Circle K on Carowinds Boulevard.
Deputies are looking for two male suspects in the case.
Sommerville told the Sheriff’s Office that he met a man near the pumps at the gas station to sell his iPhone. But he says the man seemed “very nervous” and hesitant to shake his hand.
The officer told deputies he had let the man hold the phone when the suspect pepper-sprayed him before taking off with the iPhone.
The officer ran after the suspect, who then tried to get into a nearby Ford Crown Vic, according to a report from the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the officer then pulled out his back up weapon and yelled “Police! Police!” at the suspect.
The officer told deputies that the suspect broke away as he tried to bring the man down, and threw the cell phone.
The suspect then got into the Ford, hitting the officer as he closed the car door. The officer suffered a three-inch cut on his leg, deputies said.
Another man was waiting in the Ford Crown Vic, authorities said.
The officer gave the Sheriff’s Office a description of the suspect and the telephone number he used to contact the man.
Police said no surveillance footage was available on the incident, and a store clerk said he did not see anything. But another man who was pumping gas and waiting for the officer said he saw what happened.
Cedar's Take: WTF (Well That's Funny!) There is clearly more to this story and CP is working to determine what is what.
 |
| Kenan Wells Gay Mug Shot Meck Co. |
Gay is charged with dragging Robert "Bobby" Kingston to the edge of Park Road and throwing him into on coming traffic where he was struck and killed.
Gay’s attorney has argued that the victim, Kingston had been harassing Gay’s girlfriend, the relationship of which has long since ended.
The Charlotte Observer reported that Kingston repeatedly approached on Gay’s girlfriend:
Over about a 30-minute period, [defense attorney David] Rudolf said, the video shows that Kingston first talked with the girlfriend, next rubbed up against her and then put his arm around her shoulder.
The girlfriend was dancing by the open door, Rudolf said, when Gay overheard Kingston tell friends, “Watch this.” Kingston then approached the girlfriend again, the motion said, put his arms around her, “grabbed her by her buttocks and attempted to kiss her on the mouth.”
“To stop Kingston from assaulting Elizabeth, (Gay) simply grabbed Kingston and pushed him outside the bar,” the motion said. “He did not punch Kingston, or otherwise retaliate…. What happened thereafter, according to several witnesses, was that Kingston, who was intoxicated, stumbled into the street in front of a passing car.”
That’s a different story than what the bar owner and other witnesses have told police immediately after the event.
The Mecklenburg County DA's Office contended that Gay muscled and intoxicated Kingston right up to the sidewalk and pushed him into traffic.
Gay has been out of jail on a $100,000 bond. Word among those who seem to know these things is that Murray offered a deal the included a limited amount of prison time and house arrest. The offer was turned down by the defense.
New City Manager - Ron Carlee has is work cut out for himself as the Charlotte Observer's Editorial points out. The Observer points out the obvious and asks to transparency.
Cedar Posts makes a much more direct suggestion, maybe it is time for some serious house cleaning. The Charlotte City Clerk Stephanie Kelly has been a poor performer for as long as I can remember, so lets see some heads roll!
The first and most important role of the City Clerk is to record the minutes of each Council meeting. The City's web site states: "City Council minutes are semi-verbatim and are available on the web and for general distribution approximately two to three weeks after a Council meeting date."
However a check shows that the current back log is four months. The most recent minutes available are from October 2012. Charlotte City Council minutes are here.
Last year Cedar Posts contacted Council member Andy Dulin about the delay and he replied that he had no idea why they were so far behind. Emails to City Clerk Stephine Kelly went unanswered.
In July Kelly told Charlotte City Council:
"The Clerk’s Office experienced significant staffing challenges in FY12 resulting in a backlog of minutes. After remaining vacant for half of FY12, a new minutes clerk has been hired and will work in conjunction with a retired minutes clerk to bring minutes up to date and to stay within established performance targets."
Kelly however did point out many positive accomplishments including:
"Staff made great contributions to our community by conducting a pizza fundraiser to benefit United Way, a hot dog sale and cornhole tournament to benefit the Arts and Science Council. "
Stephine Kelly's FY 2013 Strategic Operating Plan is here.
Cedar's Take: If Ron Carlee is serious about his job Kelly should be relieved of her command otherwise the new City Manager's nick name will be Ronnie Carefree.
CDIA - Orr Wars - Hard to tell who will come out of top over the Charlotte Douglas International Airport turf wars, but the tide may have shifted, as the fast track push to free CDIA from Charlotte has apparently stalled.
Don't let that stop Jerry Orr from planning ahead.
Last week Orr and his staff held meetings with Charlotte Aviation Department employees.
Reports from one source stated Orr outlined the following changes a coming once the new authority is in place:
All city of Charlotte airport employees will become private employees and will no longer be in the local government retirement system.
Long term plans are to push the TSA out of the airport and go back to post 911 private contracted security workers at the checkpoints.
He will still be in charge and apparently stated that he would be appointed to the head of the board.
But Jerry Orr's down fall may be his never ending quest to "build" the airport. All that construction has come at a staggering cost, funded by the nearly $800 million in public debt and while tied to CDIA revenue the fail safe is that it is also tired to the City of Charlotte.
Off Duty CMPD Officer - ends up on the wrong end of pepper spray. From the Charlotte Observer:
York County authorities are investigating after an off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, Arthur Sommerville said he was pepper-sprayed while trying to sell a phone to someone he talked to on Craigslist.
The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. Thursday at a Circle K on Carowinds Boulevard.
Deputies are looking for two male suspects in the case.
Sommerville told the Sheriff’s Office that he met a man near the pumps at the gas station to sell his iPhone. But he says the man seemed “very nervous” and hesitant to shake his hand.
The officer told deputies he had let the man hold the phone when the suspect pepper-sprayed him before taking off with the iPhone.
The officer ran after the suspect, who then tried to get into a nearby Ford Crown Vic, according to a report from the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the officer then pulled out his back up weapon and yelled “Police! Police!” at the suspect.
The officer told deputies that the suspect broke away as he tried to bring the man down, and threw the cell phone.
The suspect then got into the Ford, hitting the officer as he closed the car door. The officer suffered a three-inch cut on his leg, deputies said.
Another man was waiting in the Ford Crown Vic, authorities said.
The officer gave the Sheriff’s Office a description of the suspect and the telephone number he used to contact the man.
Police said no surveillance footage was available on the incident, and a store clerk said he did not see anything. But another man who was pumping gas and waiting for the officer said he saw what happened.
Cedar's Take: WTF (Well That's Funny!) There is clearly more to this story and CP is working to determine what is what.
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