Should a DUI disqualify Commissioner Jack Miles from reelection?

“Charge a man with one misdemeanor, and all his peccadilloes are raked up and assorted before him.” -Herman Melville-

Mason County Sheriff’s Deputy Danielle Rickards arrested Port of Shelton Commissioner Jack Miles for DUI early Sunday morning, 2-27-11.  The police report noted Jack Miles blew a field breathalyzer reading of 0.184, over double the legal (0.080) limit. The deputy’s report also noted plainly visible skid marks crossing the oncoming lane ending at the Oldsmobile resting over the embankment which Jack admitted he’d been driving. Commissioner Miles is insulin dependent (diabetic) and was chewing gum according to Deputy Rickards.  She reported smelling a moderate amount of alcohol from Mr. Miles.

Commissioner Miles released a statement expressing confidence he would be exonerated, and asking residents to allow full Due Process before reaching any final conclusions about the incident.  Much of that may hinge on symptoms associated with diabetes and the side effects of medication to treat it.

Regardless of the outcome, yours truly is compelled to ask certain material questions regarding Commissioner Miles’ bid for reelection to the Port of Sheldon board:

Should the community support Jack in his bid for reelection for having stood by it in resisting the Adage BioMassacre proposal, or condemn him for putting the public at risk while driving under the influence? Are the two positions incompatible? Does the community have a better alternative at this time? Is Dick Taylor a better alternative to Jack?

Perhaps the last question is the easiest to field.  Currently, Dick Taylor is the ONLY alternative to Jack, and will be unless someone else decides to enter the race.  Mr. Taylor is eagerly supported by Commissioner Jay Hupp (and associates) though reveals a distinct lack of perspicacity about current Port of Shelton controversies when questioned. Although Dick Taylor, a local business owner, has had prior experience as an elected official, he seems decidedly uninformed about what many in the community have taken time to learn regarding how their Port is being run and its inevitable impact on residents. Mr. Taylor is beyond the age most folks look to for retirement.  During a recent interview, he seemed tired and unfocused.  His knee-jerk support of Adage is likely the primary basis for the encouragement he’s received from Jay Hupp & associates.

The first two questions are more difficult.  Many regard Bill Clinton as having done a credible job as US President despite his indiscretions.  JFK remains beloved and the largest number of applications for the Peace Corps followed the day of his assassination.  Dr. Martin Luther King is known to have been flawed as a philanderer. Ghandi was said to have been a better father to his country than his family.  Mayor Barry was reelected to office despite the sting operation conducted against him in a Washington, D.C. hotel room. Governor Lowery once admitted to a packed room of his constituents that he’d been getting into trouble since he was a kid and being governor hadn’t relieved him of his predisposition.  Attendees appeared to forgive and warm to him instantly.

Yes!  Jack remains able and committed to his love for this community and its residents. Few local officials are in a position to cast the first stone.  Jack has demonstrated his desire to lock arms with citizens who have been stonewalled, marginalized, insulted, sneered at, labeled, and ignored by their other local officials.  Commissioner Miles has been a loyal friend to the community in its hour of need when no other official would stand beside us.

Loyal Friends

Jack isn’t perfect.  No politician is.  There are no ‘perfect’ politicians; nor are there any ‘perfect’ voters!  He is flawed.  He is human.  But he has been there, for us, when it counted.  He deserves our support and to be reelected…not so much for his sake, but for ours–especially ours.  His kind of courage doesn’t come along every day.  And he won’t be the last official in our district to make a mistake.  But we’d be foolish to throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Remember that when you consider who you want representing you on the Port of Shelton board.

Friends we can count on

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Opposed to politicians who equivocate about air quality & BioMassacre
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5 Responses to Should a DUI disqualify Commissioner Jack Miles from reelection?

  1. Jimmy says:

    I love this post, thank you so much!

  2. RickyH says:

    I wonder if they used one of those breathalyzers that is getting some heat for its accuracy. The new Alcomate Accucell AL9000 is getting some flack for this and I think there are some police departments that use it.

    • admin says:

      Jack states the paper/this blog misreported the reading. He says it was roughly half of what this article reported, or just over the legally presumed (but rebuttable!) limit of 0.08. Hopefully this won’t distract voters from evaluating on the job performance. For those who believe transparency in government isn’t a ‘dead letter’, Jack’s has been sterling.

  3. SG says:

    Admnistrator
    You are apologist for an adult who behaved in an immature manner. I believe it was snowing or icy that night, so it would be difficult to control a car if you were breathing
    0.18, 0.08 or 0.00. Hit & injure someone with a 0.08 its vehicular assault & battery. Hit & injure someone with a 0.00, its an accident. Jack Miles lacks judgement (or worse) and he proved it on that February night.
    You think its OK, because he supports your political beliefs. Or possibly you lack good judgement like Jack.

    • admin says:

      I take drunk driving offenses seriously, as should everybody. I note Jack has NOT been convicted of that offense, to date, and I question how closely it is related to the job he’s elected to do. But if you believe threats to the health and safety of the community are to be deplored, then arguably you’d feel compelled to applaud Jack as the ONLY elected official to stand with that community to prevent the recent threat to its health and safety by Adage and its proponents?

      As to *my* judgment?…I don’t know that it’s perfect, or anybody’s–but I do NOT drink & drive. I don’t drink at all. I believe judges should adopt a very strict/stern policy when it comes to those who choose to drink and drive.

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