Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Jan. 14, 1982, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY 1 VoHww3t. N?.I ' USPS 4^00 Hftford, Prqulmww County, N.C., Thunday, JAN. 14 WM 20 CENTS County misrepresented in food stamp audit Results not a true indicator of county's error rate, says Social Services Director BySOSANHAHBO The 71. ? percent error rate at tributed to tba Perquimans County Department o t Social Services for their food staaap administration is not a true indicator of the total ease load in that office according to Pahl Gregory, County Director of Social Services. His feelings are reflected by Bonnie f Cramer, chief assistant to the state director of social services and Dr. Arnold Grandage, professor of statistics at N.C. State University. Perquimans was one of II North Carolina counties cited for intolerably high food stamp error rates by federal and state audit of the program. This county rate, according to the audit, was 71J percent. I, According to Gregory. "They (stste quality control personnel) pulled three food stamps cases in here. One was in error. It wss an underissuance of food stamps, and that was the basis of the 71. ? percent error rate." The county office handles 550 food stamp cases. The case involved a client receiving a monthly allocation of $46 in food . stamps who neglected to reveal his Job loss, which raiaed his eligibility to Auditors divided the $M the client actually received by the $M he was entitled to, resulting in a T1.9 percent underissiiance in that one case. No dollar error was uncovered in the two other cases. "So what they (the federal ad ministrators) said at that point was that we have a 71.1 percent error rate in all our food stamp cases," Gregory said. He added that "the error in this one case was a client error." Professor Arnold Grandage, NC State University statistician, said of the survey, "I certainly wouldn't have called it an accurate error rate." Dr. Grandage said that a more valid formula would result from taking the total dollar amount that should have been received by clients in all three cases surveyed and dividing that total by the dollar amount the clients ac tually received. This would result in a 7 percent error rate. The case load error is 33.3 percent according to Dr. Grandage, which percentage represents the highest error rate that could have been discovered in the review. Dr. Grandage feels that. "It would probably have been beat to report them both (the percentage of dollar errors and the percentage of case loan errors)" In order to report more accurate findings. He believes that with a case loan of 550, at least lft-20 files should have been considered, and an even larger number if substantial errors were found. Bonnie Cramer, a member of the state social services staff, stated in a telephone interview that it is "hard to generalise what it (the percentage rate) might mean." She further stated that the figure really only means that out of the three cases surveyed, there was a problem. Cramer said that the 71.1 percent error rate found in* Perquimans County's random sample is "probably not an indicator of the rest of the case load in the county." She admitted that for small counties with fewer food stamp cases, it is difficult to judge the findings of a random sampling accurately. Gregory revealed that he requested that the state send personnel back to his office to review anrther random sample last fall. Two representatives did. in fact, return in December and studied 10 random flies. "They came up with a $2 error," Gregory said. "That's ail. "For the period of April 1M1 through September 19(1 we had four cases reviewed by state quality control. We had no dollar error. "So if this whole business came up next year, we'd be sitting here with a sero error rate, whereas right now we have a 71.9 percent error rate. "You don't clear up all your cases that quick, not in three or four mon ths." Eligibility for the federally-funded food stamp program is based on in come. number of family members, living expenses. Gregory said. Living expenses are subtracted from income, and a chart is provided by the federal administrators to determine the dollar amount of food stamps a client should receive. "The computation isn't difficult," Gregory stated, "and hardly ever do we have an error in that. The chances of an error are slim." Food stamp specialists in Perquimans County are Kitty Nowell and Laura Newby. Crystal Towe is the supervisor. Gregory said these workers have a number of years experience in food stamp administration and attend training sessions each year. The specialists interview prospective recipients, and document and verify all information given them by applicants. . Upon their completion of the case file, it is examined by the supervisor. A three-member county social services board also inspects the case flies. In addition to this county audit system, a state reviewer makes periodic unannounced visits to the office, pulling random samples to survey. Said Bonnie Cramer, "Every six months throughout the state we have to review 1200 cases. "We have got lots of small counties ( Continued oa page 2) A beached boat sits on the teejr | shoreline of the Perquimans River across from Hertford. Temperature* in the area were below 10 degrees last weekend and early this week and more of the same is ex pected. Community saddened by Ashley decision Residents call him a good man who made a mistake ' Perquimans County residents were both surprised and saddened by the outcome of the investigation of Hertford Bank of North Carolina vice president J. Wayne Ashley. Ashley pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court if Fayettevilie to embesxlement of tank money and falsifying bank records Tuesday of last wMfc. He was sentenced to five year* in prison, five years prison term suspended, and five years probation. But many eounty residents ex pressed their fepport of the man who was perhaps the friendliest, most r This week The Catholic Sor* ZZ" Weather ol mow today, with let Friday aad to Mm respected and most involved man in the community. "I never heard anybody >ay anything bad about the guy," said T. Erie Haste a friend of Ashley's who is oa the Board of Directors of BNC in Hobbsville. "He was a faithful and dependable friend." "He was a food friend of mine, and a good Mead to the community," said Wayne Winslow, a sentiment ex pressed by many county residents. "He just about the nicest man you'd ever want to meet," added Robert, Sutton, a member of the Board of Directors at BNC in Hertford. Haste aad Button can also attest to his skiB U a banker. "The bank was doing very well under him." said Sutton, aad Haste added that his profit percentage was oae of the highest of any BNC branch in the state. Bat they add that he was a good baaker in other ways also. Many local fanaers aad businessnea will tell you that they are still wortiag because la a Mad. "He'd would almost go oat oa a limb to help yea," said Haste. Among the many activities he was involved in, Ashley was a member of the Ruritans, a president and organiser of the Jaycees who received a Distinguished Service Award from that group, president of the county's Democratic Party and a midget league football coach. "Not only was be active," said Haste, "but he was capable. Some people join a group and don't do anything. When Wayne belonged to a group he was always a leader." Though no one has any real idea of the motivation behind Ashley's crime, thoee who were asked agreed on two things: that the crime was a mistake uncharacteristic of Ashley, and that Ashley dM not do it for his own benefit. "Good people make mistakes also," ?aid Sutton. "Until you aee it happen, yon always think it couldn't." \ "My first impulse when I heard a boot Wayne was that he'd gotten himself In a tight spot trying to help someone else out," said Haste. "And I may he trying to convince myself of something, but I still believe that there ware otter circumstances in vnhmd." "When your a close Mead ef someone far a long time, you don't always we frailties," said Winslow. "Fee* are toman, they make mistakes. I believe what he did was for the benefit of another and not his own." "From talking with Wayne." Winslow added, "he is deeply hurt by what has happened, because he liked the area and he liked the people here and he felt like he's let them down." Ashley resigned from his post at BNC last August 12, and was indicted November 3. He pleaded guilty in Fayetteville to embessling $171,000 in certificates of deposit, and falsifying loans for 9M.M7.1T and ?,2S2.? He had pleaded not guilty at a probable cause hearing in New Bern last November II. BNC is suing Ashley for return of the embetsied money. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is still in vestigating Ashley for possible in volvement in "laundering" money obtained from a fraudulent con tracting scheme in Pinellas County, Florida. Local residents have said that they are ready to help Ashley In the same way he has helped Uwm. "I stand ready to help Wayne la anyway way 1 can." said Haste. "If I eaa Had some way to rectify what's happened, I do It," said Winslow. *1 waat him banking. Well Error rate viewed as unacceptable By SUSAN HARRIS In a press conference called on January 6 by Dr. Sarah Morrow, Secretary of the N.C. State Depart ment of Human Resources, concern and displeasure was expressed over the "unacceptably high food stamp error rate" found in North Carolina's counties. Dr. Morrow referred to a sampling of files pulled at random in county social services offices during the period of October 1980 through March 1981 which revealed a statewide error rate of 15.26 percent in food stamp administration. 2.66 percent above the national average of 12.6 percent. The study cited overpayments of $6.5 million, underpayments of $6 million, and payments to ineligible recipients of $5.65 million during this period. Dr. Morrow warned county social services directors that the error rate must be substantially decreased by July, or her department may seek legislative action to contract out food stamp distribution to private com panies. "1 don't know that they (private companies) could do a better job," Dr. Morrow stated. "In all probability our local departments of social ser vices can do the best job.. .But we are interested in seeing if private en terprise can do a better job," The federally funded food stamp program is administered through county social services offices who annually issue $240 million in food stamps to over 600,000 recipients in North Carolina. Although the state will not be required to reimburse the full $12.1 million dispensed in error, a fine of $3.5 million will be imposed unless the state submits an acceptable plan to reduce errors by April. The proposed fine for North ( Continued on page 2) Drugs targeted Police make yearly report By SUSAN HARRIS The Hertford Police Department set out to "make some inroads into the drug problem in Hertford" in 1981, according to Police Chief Marshall Merritt. Merritt labeled drug traffic the biggest issue facing the depart ment in the way of crime, with crimes of theft also a forerunner. Thirty-four drug-related arrests were made during the year ranging from simple possession of marijuana to felonious possession of heroin. More arrests may have been made, but Merritt stated that the department doesn't have the money or the informants needed to develop cases culminating in arrests. "We just don't have the budget that it takes," he said. The apprehension of suspected drug offenders is attributed by the police chief to Captain Morris' training at the Drug Enforcement Administration School and to three or four active informants. A total of 347 violations were reported to and investigated by the department during the year, resulting in 260 arrests. "Our percentage (75 percent) was as high, if not higher, than any department in the state of North Carolina," commented Chief Merritt. Merritt placed the conviction rate at *5 percent partly due to good judges and district attorneys. "I feel like the judges in the first district are the best in the state," he asserted. The town's citizens can be helpful in preventing crime and capturing criminals according to Merritt by "reporting anything and everything they see that they think is suspicious to the police department" immediately. Several times the department has received inform*, in after an arrest had keen made that could have speeded up the Investigation and gotten the offender off the streets had people come forward earlier. The teQowfam it the annul report released by the police department at last Monday's town council meeting. Robbery 02 Attempted robbery 04 Assault It battery 39 Resisting arrest * 06 Disorderly conduct 01 Trespass 06 Crime against nature 01 Obstruct ft delay a law enforcement officer 01 Discharging a fire-arm within city limits 01 Carrying a fire-arm into an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold 01 Carrying a concelaed weapon 02 First degree burglary 03 Second degree burglary 01 Breaking Centering, larceny 03 Aid A abet, breaking A entering, larceny 03 Accessory to breaking I entering, larceny 01 Larceny IS Shoplifting 09 Larceny of a motor vehicle 01 Receiving stolen goods OS Arson 02 Check forgery 06 Uttering forged paper 03 Aid 4 abet, uttering forged paper 06 Worthless check 06 Check written on closed account 03 Injury to personal property OS Injury to real property 02 Unauthorised use o( a motor vehicle 02 Abandonment k nonsupport 02 Sale or delivery of heroin 10 Aid 4 abet, sale or delivery of heroin 02 Possession of heroin with intent to sell or deliver 02 Conspiracy to sell or deliver heroin 04 Felonious possession of heroin 01 Sale or delivery of cocaine 02 Conspiracy to tell or deliver cocaine 02 Felonious possession of cocaine 01 Sale or delivery of marijuana 02 Possession of marijuana with Intent to sell or deliver 02 Felonious possession of marijuana 01 Manufacturing marijuana 01 Simple possession of marijuana 04 Keeping a dwelling for the use or sale of controlled substances 06 Unlawful possession and sale of ta spa td liquor 1 Contributing to the delinquency of a minor 02 Fugitive warrant 01 Failure to appear 12 Probation violation 04 Failure to comply with court judgement 01 Hit A run. failure to notify authorities M Hit A nm. where there is property damage *1 Wreck less driving 02 Driving while license revoked 02 Making a false stolen veMcke report 01 Litter tagging tl Public inebriste 0* The major concerns of the department in INI are to focus on a better arrest rate for breaking and entering and larceny, and to keep the crime rate down as much as possible
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Jan. 14, 1982, edition 1
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