Boiling Spring Lakes police chief under investigation

If nothing else comes from the hearing next week at least at the request of citizens the press has made sure all the info on the allegations against Ballree along with the way he was selected for the job has become public knowledge. For the citizens of Boiling Spring Lakes, that is a good thing. With this knowledge the citizens may better express their pleasure or displeasure at the ballot box.

I love it when people try and convict someone based soley on what the MEDIA reports. Quoting articles doesn't do anything but make people wonder. Heaven knows the media ALWAYS get it right. Everyone has a right to their opinion whether others agree with it or not. Let's try listening to his version of what happened and see what Traning and Standards says. I said it when Ronald fell from grace: right is right and wrong is wrong. I don't care who you are. There are no shades of gray.

You folk in this forum really seem to despise Law Enforcement Officers. You act as Judge, Jury and Executioner on the premis of mere allegations. Allegations are not convictions, but with the "witch-hunt" mentality that is displayed here and by the citizens of these small time counties..this dude is gone, guilty or not.

I do not know this man, but he has contributed 22 years of his life as a police officer in the Mount Olive community and that does have to speak for something. There are likely people there that do not like him and would do their best to slander his name. I would like to see some of the writers here put under the public spotlight and see what comes out of their closet. That has a tendency to bring a little humility and stop the finger pointing to the people here that are faceless, nameless, yet are so brave to criticize so harshly!!! Don't forget...what goes around, comes around!

One thing you should all notice first is Ballree does not appear "on camera" for an open interview. This way he only gives out prepared statements and controls his environment.

The fact is, Ballree was accused by the Mt. Olive Town Council of using the town credit card for personal use. He (Ballree) resigned from that position imidialtly without going through an investigation by the town and at that point the town dropped it as their problem was then solved. The thief was gone! Check out the following links.

http://www.witntv.com/home/headlines/8700492.html

and in this one Ballree refused to hear the allegations and/or cooperate in an investigation.

http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2007/07/26/mount_olive_chief_refused_to_listen_to_allegations/index.shtml

There is a video of the theft,

http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2007/08/13/exchief_continues_to_deny_gas_thefts/index.shtml

Ballree claimed to the press at the time, but again not during an investigation that the personal car he put the gas in had been used by him for official business. I believe the fact is, the video will reveal the gas went in his son's vehicle. Also, this argument is totally without merit on the grounds of the common practice anywhere when using a personal vehicle for work purposes you get mileage paid instead of a tank of gas. The IRS recognizes mileage, not a fill up!

Further, Ballree states to the Wilmington star that he is fully cooperating with the investigation. That is a little misleading. In order for a person to become certified in this state they have to fill out a form about personal history. That is every applicant. Ballree did this. That was the end of it as far as him cooperating at all! Well, with one exception. Town manager David Lewis did have to plead with the state to certify Ballree so Lewis could put him on the job, which the state did but the state also made it clear to Lewis they were not finished with the investigation. Now the state has ordered Ballree to appear. He is compelled to do so or he absolutely will lose his certification. So the extent of his "cooperation" was to fill out the standard form and now appearing when compelled.

Now people, lets use some common sense. If you were accused of a wrong doing in your job of 22 years and it was untrue, would you just take a walk, or would you stand your ground, cooperate and exonerate yourself? Ballree choose in Mt. Olive to "duck and run". That in itself speaks volumes as to his character. Ballree goes on to point out no criminal charges were ever brought against him. Why would the town take the time to pursue that when after all it was not a major amount of money lost and their problem was solved with Ballree's resignation?

As to town manager David Lewis saying he believes Ballree, PT Barnum pointed out many years ago, "there is a sucker born every minute". Lewis points out that former BSL Police Chief, Richard White, uncovered this info in a background check so, Lewis admits to knowledge of this prior to hire. According the article in the State Port Pilot, when Ballree's hiring was announced this was not the only thing White turned up. There is also the matter of Ballree's son being arrested and convicted for the larcey of four pistols from the Mt. Olive Police Department while Ballree was still chief. Well he was arrested for four but convicted of only one with basally a slap on the wrist for that felony. How much influence did Ballree have on the DA in that? That son still lives in the household and Lewis had to be aware of that element being brought to our community also.

Lewis nor Ballree have mentioned a word about allegations that Ballree has used his BSL vehicle for personal use including carrying family in it.

There is yet one other financial concern that every time I have tried to put that fact in a blog the comment does not get printed but I hope that is part of the training and standards investigation. I have not a clue if it is. So Ballree is a slippery character that dictates what he wants the press to hear and will not stand the test of an open interview.

Now, to Boiling Spring Lakes Town government. The committee that selected Ballree was headed up by manager Lewis and included then, BSL Mayor and now council person, Joan Kinney. All the above information WAS NOT shared with the rest of the town council when Ballree was hired. Then council member Marty Kesmodel (now Mayor) has inherited this mess with the rest of the good citizens at BSL.

If in the hearing Ballree is able to dodge this bullet he will be lucky indeed. At least for the first time but over a year late he will have to explain himself to a third party. If on the other hand the state jerks his certification, he will be gone. If that does in fact happen the blame for BSL having to go looking for another Chief falls squarely on the shoulders of Lewis and Kinney. As they made this horrible decision wearing blinders and not including the rest of the representatives of the town they should immediately resign. Certainly Lewis should have nothing to do with finding a new Chief.

The State and the Feds have been instrumental in helping right a wrong(s) at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department. Now the state may step in and right a wrong at the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department.

To the many good and upright LEO's out there I hope this mess is cleaned up one way or another. You as well as the citizens deserve better!

Lastly, thanks WWAY for sticking with this story and getting this information that BSL town management was hiding out to the citizens.

LINE EM UP BOYS, THEIR ALL GOING DOING. TOO FUNNY.