V ccyp-jyj^|3 rbH-:ju ■finWACADEftlVSJ, . HERTFORD- Da SEP 2 3 -2008 September 24,2008 Vol. 76, No. 39 Hertford, North Carolina 27944 ^^News from Next Door** Girl, 3, attacked by dog CATHY WILSON Staff Writer A two-year-old girl was seriously injured Tuesday morning when she was hit- ten in the face and neck hy a family pet and later flown to a Norfolk hospital. Sheriff Eric Tilley said a chocolate lah attacked the girl while she and her mother were outside. The child bent down to remove her flip flops and the dog attacked unprovoked, he said. The incident occurred at 818 Lake Road at the home of Robert and Sharon Coo per. Members of Perquimans EMS responded to the scene and transported the child to the Perquimans County Athletic Fields in WinfaU where they transferred the child to the Nightin gale helicopter. Members of WinfaU Volunteer Fire Department set up the landing zone for the heli copter, and members of the Perquimans Sheriffs Department assisted with traffic control. Nightingale flew the chUd to ChUdren’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk, TiUey said. The dog is quarantined at the Chowan Animal Shelter for 10 days. Family members told police that the dog is up to date on its shots. The investigation is be ing conducted by Animal Control Officer Stephen ChappeU. No further information was avaUable at press time. Man hurt in hit and run CATHY WILSON Staff Writer One man was injured af ter being hit by a car whUe riding on a motorized cycle last week. The driver of the car left the scene, and wit nesses say gunshots were fired as weU. Patrolman Josh Turpin with the Hertford Police Department said Marvin Moore of Harvey Point Rd. was driving the cycle, commonly known as a “mo ped,” last Tuesday after noon around 5:15. when he was struck by a black Lex us allegedly driven by Tice Blount, 31, of Albemarle Street. The incident oc curred at the intersection of Wynn Fork Court and Wynn Fork Road. Turpin said approxi mately 20-30 people were in the vicinity at the time, including some who were picking up chUdren at a bus stop. “Pm not sure just how close they were to where the incident occurred, but CONTINUED on page y Perquimans Weekly photo by PHIL HARRIS FIVE INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES AND a team were inducted into the Perquimans Athletic Hall of Fame Friday evening. Individu als inducted included (left to right) Marvin Hunter Sr., Rufus Rouse, Tyronne Spellman, Bobby Tolson and Billy Winslow. Also inducted was the 1997 state 1-A softball champions. See story and another photo on page 4. HPD didn’t spend entire budget last year Christensen says chief orders items CATHY WILSON Staff Writer Amid complaints that the town doesn’t support its police department, a look at last year’s budget shows the police department didn’t spend all of the funds ap propriated. Last year’s fiscal figures, provided by Town Manager John Christensen, show that out of a police budget of $537,172, only $508,253,91 was spent. Areas under spent included salary and wages, uniforms, travel and training, maintenance and repair, and capital outlay. A total of $28,918.09 was not spent. Christensen said each de partment head determines what equipment is deemed most important and how to spend what money is al located to that department. Any purchase order over $50 must be approved by the town clerk, he explained. Cindy Sharber is the town clerk. Concerning complaints that the town has not pro vided the police depart ment necessary items like up-to-date bullet-proof vests, shotguns, and tazers, Christensen responded that it is the department head’s responsibility to get the equipment. “1 don’t dictate where to spend the money in each department,” Christensen said. “1 hire department heads to make the budget requests and spend the money. “There is money for bul let-proof vests sitting in the budget right now that hasn’t been spent yet. It’s not my job to know if officers have shotguns in the trunks or not. It is the department head’s responsibility to get that equipment,” he said. No requests were made to him for shotguns, hand guns or tazers, he added. He said the police chief did talk with him about provid ing tazers to his officers, but nothing was decided, Christensen said. “There are equipment and overtime grants avail able to police departments,” Christensen said. “It is the chiefs responsibility to locate these grants, de termine the requirements, and ask for permission to apply. I approved applying for overtime and equip ment grants, but we cannot find this was ever done. The grants are simple to do and do not require grant writ ing experience to apply.” The cxirrent budget in cludes $1,750 for bullet proof vests, he said. Vests usually worn by the officers typically cost approximate ly $600 each, he added. He said the police department usually takes advantage of a matching grant program through the League of Mu nicipalities that allows the town, to buy more vests for their money. “I have never denied any safety equipment for any department,” he continued. When it comes to fund ing the town departments, no department gets every thing they ask for in any given budget year, Chris tensen said. “Our citizens simply cannot afford all the wants of every department,” he added. “Part of my job is to determine what is most important for the town and to be as balanced and fair as I can be. I strive to pres ent a budget to the council that provides a good leva of service to our residents without the burden of large tax increases.” He said three new posi tions for the police depart ment were requested in previous years’ budgets but were not approved. “Given that each posi tion created costs the town approximately $75-$85.,000; I could not support that recommendation,” Chris tensen said. “...I did say I would support one position partially funded by a grant such as a COPS grant, and I asked that the chief look for grant funding for that posi tion. I made the decision to support one officer based on the growth that I believe the town will see in the next two to three years. Police officer grants typically pay part of a salary for two to three years, and after that the town is responsible for paying the entire amount. I have not been informed of any grants available for po lice officers.” Rotary renovates water fountain 6 "sgoTe" 7143 The historic fountain on the courthouse green is back in place and sporting a spiffy new look. The circa 1950s water fountain recently under went a refurbishing thanks to the Hertford Rotary Club. It was dismantled back in January and shipped to California where Murdock Manufacturing, its maker, repaired the inner work ings of the fountain, and refurbished the outside. It was reinstalled the first of September in an ef fort to have it back working in time for the town’s Indi an Summer Festival. The local Rotarians re ceived a $980 Rotary Inter national District Simpli fied Grant to restore the bronze/cast iron fountain that was installed on the green before 1960. Murdock Manufacturing produced the fountain and it is believed to be over 50 years old. Its classic design complements the historic nature of the courthouse green. John Christensen, proj- ect chairman for the Rotary Club, said* he spoke with Bob Murdock, the company owner who is interested in restoring older models of his product. Because of Murdock’s interest, Mur- SUBMITTED PHOTO MEMBERS OF THE HERTFORD Rotary Club recently rein stalled the historic water fountain on the county's court house green. The circa 1950s bronze/cast iron fountain is now in working condition and has a spiffy new look. dock did a budget repair on the fountain. “Normally, it would have cost more,” Christensen added. The Rotarians them selves performed the out side painting and applying chrome to the fountain’ bowl. The fountain now works, offering drinks oi water from its faucet. Rotarians worked in con junction with the county, town and Historic Hertford, Inc. with the restoration. Contract will let deputies work for Hertford Town must OK amendments CATHY WILSON Staff Writer The first step to allow county law enforcement officers to patrol Hertford during their time off was taken Monday night. Members of the Perquimans Board of Com missioners approved an agreement presented by the town of Hertford that will allow deputies to work shifts in the town and be paid by the town during the town’s police manpower shortage. Sheriff Eric Til ley also approved the agree ment. The agreement basically says county law enforce ment officers may volunteer to work shifts for the town, and be paid time and a half their sheriff’s department hourly salary by the town for any hours worked. The town must also pay 17.5 per cent for associated payroll costs as well as 50.5 cents per mile for gas. The original agreement, which was given to the county by Town Manager John Christensen, only ad dressed salary, not associ ated costs or gas mileage. County commissioners rec ommended those changes prior to approving it. The agreement must now be ap proved by members of the Hertford town council be fore taking effect. If approved by the town, some officials think this wiU mark the first time in the history of the county that such an agreement has been developed. The sheriffs department will issue the town a month ly bill for time worked, and the town will pay the coun ty. The town police depart ment is without a chief and a sergeant. It now has five officers working, but one is out on sick leave, and a second one is currently rid ing along with experienced officers since she only re cently graduated from ba sic law enforcement school. With basically three patrols available, the town isn’t CONTINUED on page VMtaMHBI Thursday High: 75 Low: 67 T-Showers, Wind Friday High: 74 Low: 65 Rain, Thunder Saturday High: 76 Low: 64 T-Showers

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