Fire Marshal has New Arson Dog

The Union County Fire Marshal’s Office has a new investigator. Camden, a 2 ½ year old yellow Labrador Retriever, is an Accelerant Detection Canine specially trained to sniff out scents of various liquids that arsonists use to start fires.

Camden is deployed during fire investigations to search for ignitable liquids. Gasoline, kerosene and other petroleum distillate products are examples of the ignitable liquids that are used to start incendiary fires. Camden is trained to detect the strongest source of these products after a fire is extinguished and to show his handler the point of the strongest scent of the product. He shows the location by a passive alert, he sits. This is the location where samples are taken for submittal to a laboratory for testing and analysis. He is also able to conduct searches of persons, objects, vehicles and open land area to detect ignitable liquids, and he conducts searches of the tools used during fire investigations to ensure that cleaning and decontamination procedures are effective.

“Camden is another tool available for us to use during our fire investigative process,” said Fire Marshal Kevin Rigoli. “His nose is more accurate than any field deployable monitor available on the market today. He is also invaluable to our agency for fire prevention efforts as well.”

Camden was bred by Guide Dogs for the Blind in New York. At 16 months ofage, Camden began his training as a seeing-eye dog. He completed his course ofinstruction but ultimately was not assigned to a blind person because he has a very curious nature and loved to explore trash cans.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), which contracts with Guide Dogs for the Blind to acquire dogs that do not complete the guide-dog training, purchased Camden to become an Accelerant Detection Canine.

Camden began his training during the summer of 2016. He is a food reward dog, so in order to eat, he has to train every day. Part of his training was to change how he eats. Camden has to work to eat each day. Every kibble of food that he receives during his working life is eaten from his handler’s hand after he finds and alerts to the scents he is trained to detect.

Rigoli and Camden were paired together in late October of 2016 to begin their training. During the course of the next six weeks, they trained seven days a week at the training center in Virginia and at building fires in Virginia and West Virginia.

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Fire Marshal Kevin Rigoli and Camden

Union County View March 2017

The FREE rabies vaccine clinic last month at the Animal Shelter was a huge success with 76 rabies shots given and 1 microchip implanted.

Low-cost rabies clinics will be held this spring at several elementary schools and the Farmers Market in Monroe. Look for more details in the coming weeks.

Rigoli and Camden graduated on Dec, 9 and became one of 54 ATF Accelerant Detection Canine teams in the United States.

Camden’s first official day of work was Monday, Dec. 12. That day, he and Rigoli were deployed to a small community just west of Asheville to a fire that caused the death of a young female. The following day, they were put to work in Union County at a fire on Mill Grove Road. The Mill Grove Road fire resulted in the arrest of a suspect who was charged with first degree arson and murder.

“Camden will help us provide the forensic evidence that our law enforcement partners will use to prosecute and convict persons who are responsible for incendiary fires,” Rigoli said.

Camden is not the only Accelerant Detection canine in the state. The NC State Bureau of Investigations has three accelerant detection canines located in Wilmington, Asheville and Raleigh.

“We have to be certified annually in order to continue to work together,” Rigoli said. “I am required to submit reports each month that detail Camden’s overall health, training, weekly weight and use at fire scenes.”

Camden is utilized by agencies with the authority to conduct fire and arson investigations or prosecutions. Rigoli and Camden can also be deployed as part of an ATF Regional Response Team during the investigation of fires that result in large property loss or death.

Camden and Rigoli are together at all times, and Camden has become a part of the Rigoli family.

“He is a great dog with a fantastic personality,” said Rigoli. “He dwarfs my other three dogs, but is gentle and patient with them while playing. He loves to curl up in my lap at night and have his head rubbed. The folks at the ATF did a wonderful job pairing us together. His personality is a good match for my busy family.”

DSS Can Prepare Your Taxes Free of Charge

Do you want to have your taxes prepared and electronically filed free of charge? The Union County Division of Social Services has volunteers who are certified through the Internal Revenue Service ready to assist taxpayers with the filing of their federal and state income tax returns. The agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is in its 13th year providing free tax preparation to individuals with gross incomes of $54,000 or less per year, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.

The VITA site is located at 2509 W. Roosevelt Blvd in Monroe (former Queen City TV location). Appointment times are available each weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. However, there are days when appointments can be made as late as 7 p.m.

To schedule an appointment to have your taxes prepared at no cost, call 704-296-4312.

Congratulations to graduates from the Detention Officer Certification Course at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Training Academy last month. The graduates are left to right: Detention Officer Richard Poplin, Deputy Sheriff Matthew Jordan and Detention Officer Jerry Austin. DO Poplin received the Platoon Leader Award and the Iron Man Award; DS Jordan received the 2nd Squad Leader Award; and DO Austin received Valedictorian and the 1st Squad Leader Award.

Maureen Ryan Griffin to Hold Writing Workshop at Union County Public Library

Would you enjoy using food memories as a writing inspiration? The Union County Public Library in Monroe will host a unique writing workshop featuring Maureen Ryan Griffin as instructor on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. in the Training Room at the Monroe Library.

In the workshop, “Delicious Memories: Writing About Food in Any and All Genres,” we’ll explore our connections with food as we write of when, where, what, with whom, how—and even why—we ate! You can use your food writings to create a family cookbook, individual essays, stories, poems, scenes in fiction or memoir, a food blog, or just for your own pleasure.

“Food not only nurtures and sustains us, it is a rich source of metaphor and memory!” says Maureen Ryan Griffin of WordPlaynow.com, an award-winning writer, editor, and teacher with more than 20 years of experience and a passion for teaching writing. You may read an excellent interview with Maureen to learn more about her “Delicious Memories” workshop at http://www.charlotteburgerblog.com/maureen-ryan-griffin-delicious-memories/.

Registration is required. The cost is free and space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Lori Grem at 704-283-8184 ext. 224 or lgrem@unioncountync.gov.

County Holding Surplus Vehicle Sale

Union County wis currently holding an electronic surplus vehicle auction at www.govdeals.com. The auction ends on March 14 with incremental closings throughout the day.

The terms of sale are as follows:

1. Sale to the highest bidder with all sales final.2. All items sold “as is” and “where is” with no warranty, expressed or implied, which extends beyond the description of the items.3. Purchasers must remove vehicle(s) within10 business days from the time and date of issuance of the Buyer’s Certificate. The vehicles are to be picked up at 610 Patton Avenue in Monroe.4. Payment must be made online through the GovDeals website. Payment in full is due not later than five business days from the time and date of the Buyer’s Certificate. Payment cannot be accepted onsite.

For more information, call 704-283-3563 or 704-283-3601.

Sherin Lane in Union County is Closed

Crews working on the Monroe Expressway project permanently closed Sherin Lane in Indian Trail on Monday, Feb. 27 to construct a cul-de-sac at the end of Sherin Lane.

Detour signs are posted for motorists along Union West Boulevard. Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution.

The United Senior Games are April 11 - May 19. Registration Ends April 3. Click here for more information - www.co.union.nc.us/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=90OJq-otZgc%3d&tabid=361&portalid=0&mid=1357

Union County Service Award Recipients March 2017

5 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREACHRISTY COOK COMMUNICATIONSBENJAMIN ISLEY LEGALCHRISTOPHER ALLEN SHERIFF’S OFFICELINDSEY RICHARDS SHERIFF’S OFFICEJAVIER PEREZ HUMAN SERVICES

10 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREASHELLEY FEARN LIBRARYCHARLES DERRICK PUBLIC WORKSCHRISTOPHER TEAGUE SHERIFF’S OFFICEMARK ROBBINS SHERIFF’S OFFICETAMARA BLOUBT SOCIAL SERVICES

20 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREAGRACIE CALDWELL SOCIAL SERVICESKIMBERLY NICHOLLS SOCIAL SERVICESFLOYD SMITH TAX ADMINISTRATIONKEVIN BENTON SHERIFF’S OFFICE

New Employees

Caleb BarnetteDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Michelle BillingsleyPT Customer Service

SpecialistPublic Works

Timothy BlankenbecklerPT Driver

Transportation

Jaelen BrownDetention Officer I

Sheriff’s Office

Chelsea GreenhawConservation

EducationSpecialist

Soil & Water Conservation

Robert GayPT Library Assistant II

Library

Jerry FranklinPT Library Assistant II

Library

Michelle FarahNutritionist IPublic Health

Ronnie BryantIncome Maintenance

Caseworker IISocial Services

Rose CrowderCustomer Service

SpecialistPublic Works

James DarnellPT Driver

Transportation

Marika DillardSocial Worker III-IAT

Social Services

Richard KearPT Office Support

Transportation

Shaquana LittleIncome Maintenance

Caseworker IISocial Services

Timothy HelmsPT Driver

Transportation

Lisa HartkopfPT Site ManagerSenior Nutirtion

Jerry StegallPT Driver

Transportation

Joseph PressleyUtility Mechanic I

Public Works

Robert MedlinDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Anthony MasonDeputy Sheriff ISheriff’s Office

Brian StokesUtility Mechanic I

Public Works

Promotions

Kevin BlandenPark Ranger I

Parks & Recreation

Sam ClarkDeputy Sheriff II-K9

Sheriff’s Office

Sherry GamblePT Site ManagerSenior Nutrition

Jason GurianTraining Coordinator

Communications

Kyle HauptPark Ranger I

Parks & Recreation

Crystal VandeeLibrary Assistant II

Library