Police Coalition Established For Two Counties

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is no longer restrained by state borders when pursuing certain criminals.

A coalition between the Worcester County and Accomack County Sheriff's Offices has created the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, devoted to working together and with federal authorities to seek out and prosecute those who travel over state lines to sell drugs.

Cpl. Nate Passwaters is a member of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, but he's also deputized in Accomack County and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"Drug dealers don't have boundaries like we do," says Passwaters.

Since forming, the task force has charged about 20 alleged drug dealers, all of whom frequently crossed state lines, police officials said. The cooperation between agencies has helped with the flow of information, they say, conducting surveillance operations and getting warrants issued.

"They are under the assumption we are limited in our enforcement," says Passwaters. "It gives them a false sense of security, where they say 'I'm in another state, so it's going to be harder to prosecute me.' "

The select number of officers who serve on the task force may have jurisdiction in other counties, but they can't simply follow suspects wherever they want to. The cases must have a drug component to them.

"I can't just go into Accomack and say, I think I'm going to stop cars today," says Passwaters. He is currently working with Delaware State Police to set up a similar agreement.

Deciding where to prosecute cross-border drug crimes is not complicated by the arrangement. According to Passwaters, if someone is arrested in Virginia, they are prosecuted in Virginia. If they are arrested in Maryland, they are prosecuted in Maryland.

Several cases have been prosecuted on the federal level, based on the quantity of drugs recovered or the presence of firearms, which allows the task force greater access to federal resources and prosecutors. It is also the reason Passwaters is deputized as an ATF officer.

Passwaters says the Sheriff's Office also works with agencies in Somerset and Wicomico counties to share information and collaborate on complex cases.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Accomack County Court

Accomack County Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar Reports the following cases were heard in Accomack Countys Circuit Court:

Cathy Jones, 45 of Onancock, was found guilty of welfare fraud and passing bad checks.

Rory Tomlin, 19 of Melfa, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and a youthful offender program for attempted robbery, maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm.

Davon Davis, 21 of Painter, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and a youthful offender program for armed burglary, attempted robbery and use of a sawed off shotgun.

Anthony Turner, 33 of Painter, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for distribution of cocaine.

Jason Rienerth, 20 of Onancock, had probation revoked on the original charges of attempted burglary, grand larceny and burglary.
www.shoredailynews.com

Virginia Election 2010

Today is Election Day on the Eastern Shore.

Today's election will decide the next Congressman for Virginia's 2nd District, as well as Town Council positions for the localities of Parksley and Wachapreague in Accomack County.

In addition to these elections, there will be three referendums in both counties regarding amendments to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Constitution. The referendum's all regard taxation.

In Accomack County, there will a meal's tax referendum which was initiated by Supervisor Wanda Thornton. If the referendum passes, it will add a 4% tax to the purchase of prepared food from businesses not in incorporated towns. This tax already exists for prepared food purchased in incorporated towns.

Please be sure to take the time and vote today.

Supervisors Of Accomack Co./Professional Lobbyist

ACCOMAC -- The Accomack County Board of Supervisors is considering whether to hire a professional lobbying firm to help the county get its share of Congressional earmarks for local projects.

The board authorized Chairwoman Laura Belle Gordy to appoint a committee to make a recommendation about hiring a lobbyist.

County Administrator Steve Miner cited U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's remarks during his recent visit to the Shore, saying Webb "made it very clear that Congress considers earmarks ... to be one of their prerogatives" and that hiring a professional to lobby for the county is the effective way to get earmarks for the area.

The county this week advertised that it is accepting proposals for federal government lobbying services until Nov. 10. The request seeks lobbyists who can "document past successful interventions for assistance" and who have experience in localities with federal government installations.

http://www.easternshorenews.com/

Stolen Laptop Could Cause Problems For Residents Forever !!

ACCOMAC -- At least two Northampton County residents received letters from Accomack County notifying them their personal information may have been subject to unauthorized access as a result of the theft of a county-owned laptop in Las Vegas earlier this month.

The two men, who are related, do not own personal property in Accomack County and have never paid personal property taxes to Accomack County, one said.

Accomack County Administrator Steve Miner said he has spoken to one other Northampton resident who also received a letter, and he thinks there were others.

"I saw the article in the Eastern Shore News, and I was thinking, 'Oh, those poor people in Accomack County,' " said Craig Richardson, who lives near Seaview in lower Northampton County and whose mailing address is in Cape Charles.

Then he received one of about 35,000 letters sent by Accomack County informing him that his name and driver's license number were on the stolen laptop. He called Accomack County the same day to ask why.

"I couldn't get a straight answer from them as to why they have this," said Richardson, who moved to Northampton County about five years ago from Fairfax. His father, Robert C. Richardson, a Northampton County native, also received a letter.

Someone in the Accomack County Attorney's Office took his phone call and after checking with an information technology employee told Richardson the county got the information from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Richardson said when he moved to the Eastern Shore he went to the DMV office in Onancock, in Accomack County, to register his two vehicles, but his registrations correctly stated the vehicles are located in Northampton County and he has never received a tax bill from Accomack County. His neighbor, who has never used the Onancock DMV office, did not get a letter from Accomack.

"That's what made me think, anybody from Northampton County who has ever gone up to that office in Onancock, they've got your records," he said.

DMV spokeswoman Melanie Stokes said it should not matter to which office an owner goes to register his vehicle. She said she was unfamiliar with the issue of Accomack County having information about Northampton residents.

"We weren't asked to look at this ... DMV was just told what the data was; we did not look at it," she said about discussions held between the agency and Accomack County officials about the theft.

Miner said Monday in an e-mail that the county "is working with the state DMV to understand this list better."

Miner said the county has received a number of calls from people who received a letter "and had no apparent reason to be on our list, since they have not ever lived here and, hence, had no reason to be taxed by us."

But he said the county's priority was to notify those potentially affected by the theft, whether they were properly on the list or not.

www.delmarvanow.com

This does not surprise me in the least! Keep those toll free telephone numbers nearby. You're going to need them for a long, long time. I made a phone call to the Accomack office to ask some questions and was told in so many words that calling the fraud hotline would be something the citizens would need to do every 92 days. Why every 92 days??....... so we don't have to pay for the service!

Delinquent Taxpayers May See Their Names In Lights

Accomack Supervisor Donald Hart wants to give delinquent taxpayers their big break. Well, not exactly. His plan is to illuminate their names on the courthouse green so they will pay their debt. “You put their name out there in lights, you will see money fly in this county,” Hart said. The rest of the board agreed Wednesday to investigate the cost of such a sign. They also reviewed lists of those who owe the most, including:

Real Estate

Quinby Preserve Partners LLC, $43,568;
Donna Rae Roseke, $28,786;
Henrik S. Shelley $22,859;
Edward Lunn Tull and Louise A. Tull, $22,442;
Shoreland/Parker LLC, $18,802;
TammyLee Taylor, $18,261;
Lance G. and Barbara W. Fisher, $14,809;
Adair E. Harmon, $14,248;
Heirs of John J. Cherricks, $13,913;
Angela L. or Thomas D. Cook Sr., $13,565;
Wilford L. Evans, $13,361;
Barbara H. Upshur, $13,088;
Tai M. Lee or Tiffany Quyen Do, $13,077;
Tully W.Parker, et ux, $12,492;
Alexander J.and Gloria E. Justice, $12,116;
Capt. Fish’s Steaming Wharf Inc.,$11,866;
BIC Inc., $11,701; Luvenia Miles, $11,514;
Kenneth Earl Doughty and Mary Emily Doughty 11,105;
Peggy L. Giddens/Andrea G. Bolden, $11,007;
Lois M. Gordon $10,872;
George E. and Barbara B. Bowden, $10,329;
Lance G., Barbara W. and Charles S. Fisher, $10,031;
Lisa Judge Jester Rowe, $9,001;
Heirs of John Cherricks, $8,971

For a total of $381,784.

Personal Property

Lunn Tull $47,374;
B&L Produce Inc., $42,887;
A. Smith Enterprises Inc., $39,146;
Lucas Underground Utilities Inc., $29,802;
Phil Ray Farms, $22,649;
Troy Leon Bowser $20,834;
Regions Bank Leasing Division,$16,415;
Davis Transport ofVirginia Inc., $15,559;
Lloyd and Marcella R. Fields, $15,473;
Michael Anthony Finstad, $14,869;
Two Farm Inc. trading as Royal Farms,$13,648;
R&P Lucas Underground Utility, $11,349;
Eastern Shore Brick & Block Layers LLC, $10,107;
L.G. Fisher Inc. $10,065;
Sea Hawk Motel Inc. $9,712;
Thornton Services Inc. $9,608;
The Charlotte Hotel $9,591;
Misgivings II LLC $9,410;
Bryant Everett Planter$9,354;
Terrell Donti Trent $8,947;
Benito Antonio Juarez $8,816;
Sylvester Abney $8,789;
Royce A.Parks Jr. $8,615;
Sherwood Thomas Bailey Jr. $8,523;
Mario FacundoRocca $8,463

For a total $410,004.
www.easternshorepost.com

County Laptop Stolen- County Employee Responsible Resigns

ACCOMAC -- Accomack residents who may have had personal information compromised when a government-owned laptop computer was stolen Oct. 7 should receive official notice from the county this week.

"The notice is being provided by Accomack County as quickly as possible following the theft, given the totality of the circumstances," said county attorney Mark Taylor in an e-mail.

County Administrator Steve Miner said as many as 35,000 names and Social Security numbers, and some resident addresses, were on a computer stolen from a Las Vegas hotel room.

The computer had been taken there by county employee Joshua Taylor on a personal vacation; Miner said it was taken there without permission.

The letter states that the county has no proof that the recipient's personal information has been accessed "by any unauthorized person." It asks recipients to review account statements and monitor credit reports by providing websites and phone numbers.

It asks recipients to call the county office if they feel personal information has been accessed or misused.

It also suggests a change in how county computers are used "by ensuring that no other computers are permitted to leave county facilities containing such data."

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Marcus Martin said Taylor reported missing a Dell laptop valued at $1,300 and a backpack.

Taylor resigned shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release issued by the county.

The theft took place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino. He said there are two periods of time in which the electronically monitored room lock wasn't fully latched.

"Who did that is still up for the detective to determine," Martin said. "Was it a maid? Was it engineered? Was it the visitor's carelessness? We can't say."

While the county waited seven days before notifying the media of the computer's theft, Miner said last week that the county had to determine what exactly was on the laptop.

"Any suggestion that Accomack County has 'waited' to take action is simply wrong," said Mark Taylor, county attorney. "Responding to this computer theft has been the county staff's top priority since the theft was reported."

www.delmarvanow.com

Accomack Property Owners At Risk For Identity Theft

An Accomack County employee returned from apersonal holiday to Las Vegas without a computer that belongs to the county. Files in that laptop contain vital information, including the Social Security numbers of local personal-property owners.

No, Josh Taylor, who works in the Information Technology (IT) Department, didn’t gamble away the equipment. Sources close to the situation say it was stolen from either his hotel room or the vehicle he rode to the airport. Taylor was not available for comment. The taxpayers could become the victims of identity theft.

Local officials said Wednesday they aren’t sure how many files were stored in the computer. They aren’t saying if it was acceptable for Taylor to have taken the laptop on the trip. But they don’t suspect foul play by any of their workers.

Finance Director Mike Mason said the computer was stolen on Oct. 7 and was reported as such to the county on Oct. 8. Another source said Mason sent Taylor home from the job on Tuesday to await further action. Central Accounting told a caller that Taylor was expected back at work Monday. Part of his duties reportedly will be fielding calls from property owners concerned about this issue.

Now officials are trying to figure out how they are going to keep the thief from accessing the programs, how they will deal with Taylor (who is still on the clock), what policies they will enact to keep this mishap from being repeated and what will happen when property owners start complaining. Sources said hiring a company to help with the problems could cost $300,000 to $500,000.

After more than an hour in a closed session. Wednesday evening, Accomack supervisors voted to release a brief statement. Supervisors Ron Wolff and Steve Mallette were absent. Supervisor Phil McCaleb voted against going into the private meeting where personnel issues were discussed and advice from County Attorney Mark Taylor (no relation to Josh Taylor) was obtained. I voted no because I did not believe that all of what we were to discuss was covered by the ‘Closed Meeting’ criteria,” McCaleb said on Thursday in an e-mail. “Our deliberations on what to do and how to handle the employee should be closed.

The stolen computer was the result of ‘brain vacuum’ idiocy and in all likelihood the result of either a lack of a clear written policy regarding laptop computers or a failure to consistently enforce same.

I made the comment in the meeting that I do not believe this is a ‘fireable’ offense unless there is a written policy requiring it.”

According to the statement released by the supervisors, “The
theft is under a separate criminal investigation. There is no allegation
of criminal wrongdoing by the employee or anyone else affiliated with Accomack County.

Accomack County believes that the stolen computer contained a file or files
from which taxpayer identity might be extracted.

Any citizen who is concerned about the security of their identity may request a fraud alert on their credit report by calling 888-766-0008, 888-397-3742 or 800-680-7289.

Citizens who may be affected will receive a more specific written notice from AccomackCounty. This is Accomack County’s entire comment on this matter pending advance of the ongoing criminal investigation and the internal personnel issue involved.” Board Chairwoman Laura Belle Gordy called for Wednesday’s meeting Eastern Shore Post that afternoon.

The announcement stated that the meeting would be closed and would only be used to discuss personnel. The session started at 5 p.m. and began with the usual prayer and
Pledge of Allegiance. Before a motion was made, Gordy said, “I know we can go into closed session for personnel, but that’s not the real reason.” The attorney suggested
that they also meet under another section of law that allows the group to speak privately with him.

County Administrator Steve Miner defined taxpayer identity as name, Social Security number, perhaps address and the personal property owned. He said real-estate holdings are not in question.

Josh Taylor did not attend the session. Miner, Mason, County Treasurer Dana Bundick, Commissioner of the Revenue Leslie Savage and another IT worker attended the private session.

Asked about the IT Department, Miner said there is only one person “who reports back to me” and others who work in IT are under other departments. He said he is unsure if the
employee in question regularly takes the laptop home. “I’m not sure but suspect the answer is no,” Miner said.

"I don’t provide anyone with Social Security numbers,” Savage explained Thursday. “Josh Taylor has been part of the project team” working on software that provides the county with the capability of twice-a-year billing.

Las Vegas Police Officer Marcus Martin said Josh Taylor reported the incident on Oct. 8. Taylor was staying at the Mandalay Bay, an upscale hotel and casino. Upon awakening that morning
he found that clothing was thrown on the floor and the laptop and a red backpack were gone, Martin said.

An investigation of the electronic entry to the room showed that between 10:53 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. on Oct 7 and from 8:14 p.m. Oct 7 and 9:21 a.m. Oct 8, the door to Room 16122, where he
was staying was “not properly latched.” Martin said it is unclear why. Taylor was out of the room between 8 p.m. Oct 7 and 2 a.m. Oct 8 and hadn’t noticed anything missing or in disarray
upon return. Martin added that the case just landed on a detective’s desk and he had not had time to check a video of the hallways.

“It appears the suspect also drank (the contents of) two mini liquor bottles” while in the room, the officer said.

www.easternshorepost.com

Wow! That's quite a story! But which is it? Was it taken from the rental car or was it taken from the room? From 8 p.m. on Oct. 7 until 2 a.m. on Oct. 8. Taylor was out of his room yet the door was not "properly" latched until 9:21 on the 8th. And whomever stole the laptop from the room was thirsty enough to sit and have a drink. I don't know about anyone else but I don't think so. Not much of this makes alot of sense.

So, because Mr. Taylor was whooping it up in Las Vegas Accomack taxpayers have endure the risk that private information has been obtained by those other than Accomack County workers. Shame on you, Mr. Taylor, for being so inconsiderate! Keeping hours like those it"s quite apparent that you did not intend on doing any "work" while vacationing.

And shame on Accomack County for not knowing if employees ARE allowed to take laptops home. Well, Mr. Taylor and Accomack County officials this isn't the "brain vacuum idiocy" you claim it is. This is lack of consideration for ALL of the people that now may be jeopardized with fraud and identity theft. And YOU expect US to straighten it up by calling the telephone numbers listed.

The county is in bad enough shape without having this happen. Besides, when hard working Accomack County taxpayers pay their taxes we assume our private information is just that. PRIVATE!! Lock those computers to the desks!

Most computer users today go to great extremes making sure that their personal computers do not become privy to hackers. We are very concious about everything we do on our computers.

Identity theft is a horrible thing to happen. And NOW because of ONE person one must be concerned about the practices of the employes hired by the county.

Accomack County Lap Top Stolen~ Social Security Numbers Compromised

ACCOMAC — An Accomack employee had a county-owned laptop computer stolen while on a personal vacation to Las Vegas, and with it the names and Social Security numbers of roughly 35,000 county residents.

In some cases, actual addresses of county residents also may have been included in computer files.

“It was taken there without permission,” said County Administrator Steve Miner of the computer.

Miner said the worker remains employed. The matter was discussed during a closed meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.

“We really haven’t resolved the personnel side of this,” he said.

The incident happened on the evening of Oct. 7. The county waited seven days before issuing a prepared release to media warning citizens of it.

He said letters will be sent to affected residents “very soon.”

Miner said the county began determining what was on the computer immediately after its theft.

“We have since been trying to work on the problem,” he said. “That was not something we knew, in terms of files. That took some forensic work. Then we had to figure out what it meant.”

Neither Miner nor the release named the employee who had the computer stolen.

A prepared release stated the theft is under criminal investigation. An official with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the investigation on Thursday.
County officials believe at least one file, and possibly several, on the computer contained taxpayer identity information, according to the release.

The county advised any citizens who are concerned about the security of their identity may request a fraud alert on their credit report by calling 888-766-0008, 888-397-3742 or 800-680-7289.

The release stated that the county will not comment further during the criminal investigation and personnel review.

“We’re working with all the diligence we can muster through the number of issues to get to a place where we can speak to the matter further,” said county attorney Mark Taylor.

www.delmarvanow.com

Three Nelsonia Men Held In Salisbury Shootings

October 9/SALISBURY, Md. -- Three Accomack County men are being held after another round of weekend shootings left residents shaken and city officials scrambling to address the ongoing problem.

Three Virginia men are in custody in connection with a shooting early last Sunday morning on Olivia Street that sent one man to the hospital, according to the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation.

Police said Tyrone Greene, age and residency unknown, was walking on the 700 block of Olivia Street at about 1:30 a.m. when a vehicle approached him and fired multiple gunshots, one of which struck the victim in the upper thigh. Greene was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

Only a few minutes after the first shooting occurred, police responded to a call on Linwood Avenue, where a second victim, an 18-year-old man, was shot in the thigh, according to Capt. Mark Tyler of the Salisbury Police Department. The man's injuries were nonlife-threatening.

Police later located the vehicle suspected in the Olivia Street shooting and took 21-year-old Breon Lamar Ayers, 18-year-old Tyquon Demetrius Robins and 21-year-old Ronrecus Lestie Strand, all of Nelsonia, into custody.

Tyler said police are trying to determine whether the two shootings are connected, as there were no witnesses in the second incident.

Mayor Jim Ireton said police are waiting for ballistics to compare bullet casings found on Linwood Avenue to weapons found in the suspected Olivia Street shooting vehicle.

The city has been plagued by shootings during the past month, and Ireton said he's working diligently to find out why.

"These boys came from Virginia, the last group came from Delaware, and I'm wondering what's bringing them here," he said. "Right now, I'm in touch with crime prevention experts from all over the country ... trying to nail this down."

www.easternshorenews.com

Sentences Given To Four In Accomack County Circuit Court

Accomack County Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar reports the following cases were heard in Accomack County Circuit Court:

Bruce Meilhammer, 18 of Chincoteague, was sentenced to 90 days imprisonment, suspended but time served, and restitution for 3 counts of grand larceny.

Kerwin Mears, 25 of Accomac, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for a second offense of possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute.

Kenneth Simpkins, Jr., 26 of Greenbush, was sentenced to one year and three months imprisonment for distribution of cocaine.

Bruce Johnson, 52 of Mappsville, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for possession of cocaine. Johnson was also reimposed a suspended sentenced of one year for possession of cocaine.
www.shoredailynews.com

Accomack Man Indicted In Shooting Death Of Delaware Man

ACCOMACK COUNTY
A 23-year-old man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges including capital murder and robbery in connection with something that initially appeared to be a fatal traffic crash but was actually a shooting, a Virginia State Police news release said.

Brian Marquis Northan, of Accomack County, was being held in the county jail on unrelated charges. These new charges stem from a June vehicle crash.

On June 24 at 7:27 a.m., state police were called to the 20000 block of Bailey Road in Accomack County and found a 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck had run off the road and hit an embankment. Trooper K.J. Johnson found a body outside the vehicle, later identified as Anthony W. Wilson, 46, of Fenton, Del.

The trooper determined evidence at the scene was not consistent with a traffic crash, the news release said, and notified state police special agents. Further investigation revealed Wilson had been shot to death.

No additional details about what led to the fatal shooting were released.

Northan was indicted Monday and also faces charges of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Police said the investigation with the Accomack County Sheriff's Office continues.

www.hamptonroads.com

Concerns From An Accomack County Resident And Taxpayer

What's going on in Accomack County? More robberies in the local area......two within a few days of the other.

I wonder what happened to the suspect (see photo below) back around the 20th of August 2010 who walked into the Corner Mart in Oak Hall, Virginia and robbed the clerk of money and merchandise and then fled the scene in a black step-side Checrolet step-side pickup.
Did they arrest him yet?

And then sometime around September 7th of 2010 another face appears!

Again, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in finding Kenneth Corneal Birch, Jr. of Saxis, Virginia. A felony warrant had been obtained for Birch in connection with the robbery at Corner Mart in Oak Hall.

Has he been located? Are these photos of the same person?

To be sure he isn't on Saxis, Island anymore. But this creeps me out. Major Godwin, you and I both live near the island and I think the people in the area along with the rest of Accomack County deserve to know what is happening.

You need the communities support just as we need the support from the Accomack Sheriff's Office. What baffles me is why there is such a time lapse between the robberies before the public is alerted.

Now there are at least a half dozen men running around somewhere that are accused of robbing two Corner Marts both of which are not far from each other.

We have a scanner in our home and we are aware of what goes on most times. We are VERY aware of the home invasions that occur.

Why aren't the people told?

Some Taxpayers Owe Accomack County ALOT In Taxes

This is a nightmare for Accomack County! How long have these landowners been able to get away with not paying taxes? Is this the only list? Are there more that have not paid taxes with less property? These delinquencies aren't fair to the people of Accomack County. And if these people have been allowed to go more than one year without paying their taxes then I say we have a severe problem and some changes need to be made immediately!


The long-awaited list of the 25 most delinquent taxpayers in Accomack wasn’t exactly what most expected. Instead of providing a tally of those who owe the greatest amount of back real-estate taxes Wednesday night, Treasurer Dana Bundick gave Accomack supervisors an inventory of the parcels for which the most back real-estate taxes are owed.

It’s a little confusing. The grand total for the list is $337,600.21. At the same supervisors’ session, Finance Director Mike Mason reported $3,115,624 in total delinquent real-estate taxes for 2006 to 2009 and the first half of 2010. Bundick compiled her list by running a county program on Sept. 13. Five of the parcels are on Cedar Island, including the one with the largest bill for $28,064.21.

It is unclear how long the accounts have been in arrears. The top parcel is owned by Potomac Spectrum,which has a mailing address of 11501 Skipwith Ln. in Potomac, Md. The county mapping Web site shows Potomac Spectrum owns 15 parcels on the barrier island. Bundick said some owners of Cedar Island tracts have contacted a lawyer who auctions properties in an effort to recoup funds for the county. “Go ahead and sell ’em; we don’t care,” Bundick said attorney Jim Elliott was told.

The landowners complained that their houses are surrounded by water and are not accessible. “One person stopped paying taxes because he couldn’t get to it,” she said. “We’ve got to decide what to do about it. It’s a mess. I don’t know if the houses are there.”

Supervisor Grayson Chesser said properties like those are a nightmare to survey and sales
should be considered “buyer beware.” Still, he added, the parcels were deliberately divided from sea to bay so owners could move houses as erosion occurred. “There’s a very good chance the house might be gone, but the lot is still there.” Supervisor Donald Hart was concerned about where the sewage for some of those structures would go. “There might have been land under it” when the property’s bill first went unpaid, he said. “These people have owed a long time. Go after anything they own. … It’s their responsibility.”

Hart said when a value changes, the landowner should notify the county as he did when house he owned caught fire. Hart said he has seen one name on the list “many, many times. The day before the sale, he pays, then waits 10 more years” to pay again. Hart said action should immediately be taken for those with a history of delinquency. “I don’t think they deserve the right … to wait until the last minute.” Hart didn’t name names. But Bundick’s reference gave the owner’s identity away since she said she promised some actions to attorney David Rowan.

Let’s just say he (the debtor) has two attorneys after him,” she said. Late bills totaling $78,810.50 were referred to Rowan, according to the list Bundick gave to the supervisors. Developer Edward Lunn Tull of Chincoteague was attached to those six parcels. Two of those also list Louise A. Tull as an owner. The mapping site lists 131 properties in Tull’s name.

Bundick’s list also includes Shore tomato growers, Batista and Evelyn Madonia, who own the family business, East Coast Brokers and Packers of Plant City, Fla., and Mappsville. They owe $11,162.83 in back real-estate taxes. The mapping site shows the Madonias own a total of 43 parcels.

Also on the delinquent list are:

• Donna Rae Roeske of Pension Street on Chincoteague, who owes $19,952.93. Her debt was referred to Elliott so the property could be sold. The map site says she owns 10 parcels, referred to as Maddox, on Chincoteague.

• Tammy Lee Taylor of Main Street in Hallwood, who owes $16,890. Her property also was referred to Elliott. The map site says she owns two parcels.

• Chrysler First Financial Service Corp Nations Credit, which owes $16,340.61 in real-estate taxes for a Cedar Island parcel.

• Catherine S. Sparrow of New Church, who owns three lots and owes $14,971.01 for overdue taxes on one parcel. No action has been taken on her case. It is unclear why.

• Adair E. Harmon, who lived in Oak Hall, but is now deceased. He owed $14,247.87. His property was referred to Elliott.

• John J. Cherricks of Chincoteague, who owes $13,912.91. He owns two parcels. His case was referred to Elliott.

• Thomas D. Cook Sr. or Angela Cook, who owes $13,564.97. They own a house on Lankford Highway in Oak Hall. No action has been taken on their case.

• Wilford L. Evans of Temperanceville, who owes $13,361.29. He owns a house in Bloxom. His case was referred to Elliott.

• Tully Parker of Painter, who owns 54 acres. He and owes $12,491.73. His case was referred to Elliott.

• Luvenia Miles of Temperanceville, who owes $11,513.62. She owns a house. Her bill was referred to Elliott.

• Tai M. Le or Tiffany Quyen Do of Springfield, Va., who owes $10,935.28. They own three parcels. No action was taken on their bill.

• Harold and Anna Perau of New Jersey, who own two parcels on Cedar Island and owe $10,851.98 on each.

• Lois Gordon of Main Street on Chincoteague, who owes $10,307.24. She owns two parcels. No action has been taken.

• Lance G., Barbara W. and Charles S. Fisher, who owe $10,030.97. They jointly own 9.83
acres in Hope Woods. Lance Fisher owns another parcel individually and owns six properties with Barbara Fisher. No action has been taken.

• Mary and James Mathis of Glen Arms, Md., who own a lot on Cedar Island. They owe $9,981.66.

• Entrust Mid South LLC FBO Hope E. Mayer, which owns a house and lot on Cedar Island, according to the mapping site. The delinquent tax is $9,356.23 on that property. No action has been taken.

www.easternshorepost.com

Accomack County Board Of Supervisors Want To Use Grant Money To Increase Teacher Salaries

In the Accomack County Board of Supervisors meeting in Accomac on Wednesday night the Board of Supervisors postponed a budget amendment that would have given Accomack County Schools an additional $5-8 million in revenue from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Supervisors had a host of questions regarding what is normally a routine adoption of the meeting's agenda, most notably how the money will be spent. The Supervisors wanted as much of the money as possible to be devoted towards teacher salaries before approving the amendment. However, the funds are tied to education initiatives and are not allowed to be used to increase teacher salaries.

The Board unanimously passed a motion to ask for a report on how the funds would be used as well as how the funds raised by a tax increase the Board passed in April before voting for the revenue.

Supervisor Sandy Hart Mears then asked for Accomack County Schools to refund the $730,000 from the tax increase passed in April to the County of Accomack if the additional State Revenue is received.

However, the money in question is not additional money according to Accomack County Schools Finance Director Beth Charnock. The $5-8 million is a lump sum used to fund 30-40 different programs, such as "No Child Left Behind." These programs and initiatives are appropriated into the budget every year and will not give Accomack County any additional funds. The Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the Department of Education have very strict rules and guidelines for the uses of the funds and increasing salaries is not a viable option.

The Board will revisit the amendment at the October Board meeting.
www.shoredailynews.com

Police Calls- Thursday-Sunday ACCOMACK

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9:49 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault and battery at 29471 Thornton Road, Temperanceville.

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 11:49 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of discharging weapons at 10522 Lankford Highway, Temperanceville.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2:14 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of assault and battery at Shucker’s Roadhouse, Onancock.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 4:46 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suicide on Madison Avenue, Keller.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:04 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 19394 Lankford Highway, Parksley.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:14 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 30148 Chesser Road, Temperanceville.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 10:14 p.m. the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an attempted suicide on Corbin Street, Hallwood.

www.easternshorenews.com

Arrest Made For 3 Accomack County Robberies

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va.- Authorities have arrested an Eden, Md. man wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies that occurred late last week in Accomack County.

Sidney Andre Cottman, 33, is charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of use of firearm in commission of a robbery and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in the Accomack County Jail.

According to Maj. Todd Godwin of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, Aug. 27 Cottman robbed the Royal Farms convenience store in Nelsonia and the Tru Blue gas station. Cottman is also accused of robbing the Dollar General in Oak Hall on Thursday, Aug. 26. In all three incidents Cottman held the clerks up at gunpoint and got away with an undisclosed amount of money, Godwin said.

Godwin said that while investigating the robberies, police received a tip that led them to a bus stop in Oak Hall where Cottman was getting ready to board a bus in order to flee the area. Sheriff's deputies and Virginia State Police troopers surrounded the bus stop in their search for Cottman who was taken into custody without incident.

The Sheriff's Office was also assisted by Virginia Marine Police and the Exmore Police Department.

www.wboc.com

Photo Of Suspect Who Robbed Corner Mart/Oak Hall, Virginia

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - An Accomack County convenience store was robbed late Saturday night, according to Major Todd Godwin.

The suspect walked into the Corner Mart in Oak Hall and robbed the clerk of money and merchandise. He fled the scene in a black step-side Chevrolet pickup.

Police released a surveillance photo of the suspect, from the store. If you recognize him, call the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.

Accomack County Circuit Court

Accomack County Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar reports the following trials and sentencings took place in Accomack County Circuit Court:

Milton Faison, 28 of Nassawadox, was found guilty of armed burglary, robbery, attempted burglary and use of a sawed off shotgun.

John Tucker, 27 of Chincoteague, was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny.

Phillip Dix, 44 of Tasley, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 3 years post release supervision for a conviction of his 3rd offense of larceny.

Joe Pruitt, 68 of Chincoteague, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with 6 years suspended for 3 counts of grand larceny and 2 counts of forgery.

Justin Scarborough, 23 of Painter, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with all but time in a detention and diversion center suspended for distribution of cocaine and two counts of a subsequent offense.
www.shoredailynews.com

Burn Bans Lifted

As of Friday, August 20, 2010 the burn bans in Accomack and Northampton Counties have been lifted.

Both counties urge residents to adhere by all regular laws, rules, regulations and normal precautions when conducting open burns.