Lambertville Police Charge Westfield Teacher with DUI
The following arrest information was obtained from police reports. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.
A Westfield elementary school teacher was charged with driving under the influence on Sept. 29 following a motor vehicle stop in Lambertville.
According to police reports, Lambertville Police Officer Michael Gramlich stopped Richard Salls, 57, on Route 29 at approximately 10 p.m. for speeding. He was allegedly traveling 63 miles per hour in a 40-mile per hour zone.
During the course of an investigation, Salls was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and subsequently arrested, according to police. He was charged with DUI, speeding and reckless driving. He was later released with a pending court date.
Salls is a fourth grade teacher at Wilson Elementary School in Westfield.
When contacted by Patch, Westfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Margaret Dolan said Salls is on medical leave at this time. Dolan did not reveal the nature of the teacher's medical condition or how long he would be on leave. She also did not say whether the medical leave began before or after Salls' arrest. Another teacher will be taking over the Cranford man's class until he returns.
"We are very fortunate to have an experienced teacher who is replacing him during his absence," Dolan said.
Salls also served three years on the Cranford Township Committee in the 1990s and was also named deputy mayor. In 2010, he was appointed to the township's River Maintenance Committee.
Patch will update this story as additional information becomes available.
Tom
7:44 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Id love to know why no comments are allowed on this articicle after you threw Mr. hickey under the bus for 6 months.
LaxDad
11:19 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I am at a loss to understand why Patch considers these items to be "newsworthy." The feeble disclaimer, "an arrest does not indicate a conviction," does not provide privacy or comfort to the accused, especially given the many people who receive these email blasts. The only people to whom this is even remotely important are Mr. Salls's students and their parents. I wish Patch would just stick to its mandate: transcripts of town council and school board meetings stories with no editorial content whatsoever and feel-good stories about local stores, sports and scouts and who makes the best sub sandwiches. There are so many positive things to share about our town and the accomplishments of its residents. I don't know Mr. Salls, but I know that he and thousands of fellow residents would agree that this item is not worthy of publication, in Patch or elsewhere. It is a private matter. Enough already!
Time For Change
2:11 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Totally do not agree. Although for sure, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the fact that it appears this teacher, or anyone for that matter, was charged with driving under the influence should be reported with the hope that others will give a second thought to getting behind the wheel after they have consumed ANY alcohol. How would you feel LaxDad if this person got behind the wheel and harmed someone? If one person is deterred because of the reporting of this information, then I am all for it.
JERSEY GIRL
12:05 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Regardless, this is news and residents have a right to know, We preach dont drink and drive, say no to drugs, two of our teachers do the opposite.
Wally Westfield
12:44 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
agree with LaxDad
this is nothing more than being malicious, as was the Philly wedding story
remember Liz, do unto others......................
Morpheus
1:31 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I see no problem with the writer reporting the news. Its her job to do so, and it affects us here in Westfeild. As a taxpayer, we are paying for these teachers to preach that its wrong do break the law, yet the teacher broke the law. You people want to cry every time someone drops a name in Westfield. If you don't like what the Patch is reporting (local news) then don't read it. Go back to CNN and learn about what's happening in Greece rather than concern yourself to what's happening outside your window.
Westfield Parent
2:17 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Morpheus: Well said. I couldn't agree with you more. Kudos to the Patch editors for providing and maintaining an objective, truthful, fair and transparent forum for local issues. The arrogance of some people is unbelievable. Do not blame the messenger. You don't get to dictate how Patch is run. Keep up the great work Patch!
charles perry
2:21 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Morpheus and Westfield Parent, totally agree with you. Clearly a case of blaming the messenger. Hey, Wally Westfield, did you comment on all the other national news sites that covered the Philadelphia wedding brawl and try to blame the reporters? Did you email the kid who took the video? If you want to censor your news, do so by not reading it, but don't try to censor it for the rest of us.
Wally Westfield
2:37 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
@ CP, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Patch a community blog, you can't really be comparing it to a national news site, can you?
LaxDad
2:25 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I'm sorry, Morpheus. I am very interested in what's happening in our community, but I beg to differ with you. It would be "news" if a Westfield elected official was arrested on a DUI or similar charge; they are public figures. It would be "news" if a teacher to whom we entrust the education and protection of our children was arrested on, or convicted of, a crime involving moral turpitude; that would be a matter of public safety. For me, I am not interested in the occasional private transgressions of private human beings, even if they are paid with our tax dollars. People are, alas, imperfect. These items are "Page Six" stories, and are not appropriate subjects of email blasts masquerading as News.
Morpheus
2:37 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Then it may be in your best interest to remove your account from the Patch, a visit on occasion. Read only the stories you'd like to see. If you'd like, you can visit http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ its a website that only posts good news. May be right up your alley. By the way, being pulled over for a DWI does indeed involve "moral turpitude". As an adult who may or may not have kids, every parent should be concerned about what is going on with their children's teachers. Its not like anybody is reporting a teacher that received a speeding ticket, now are they?
LaxDad
4:35 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree about this. A simple DUI with no aggravating factors is not a crime involving "moral turpitude," which, under NJ law, refers to acts that are inherently evil or wrong, such as crimes against children, domestic violence, firearms, illegal drugs or prostitution. I agree wholeheartedly that his bad judgment endangered himself and others. What I object to is the unnecessary public vilification, as though this man is unworthy to teach 4th graders because of this. I think that's unfair and unworthy of dignified public dialogue.
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