AFTER REFLECTION AND SPEAKING WITH THE PERSON IN QUESTION, THIS MEMBER HAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THIS POST. IN ONE ASPECT I DO AGREE WITH MR. MARS AND AM EMBARRASSED TO HAVE POSTED SUCH A NEGATIVE MESSAGE. IT WAS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FULL PICTURE AND WAS UNNECCESSARY. GOOD LUCK JOHN.
When was John Mars convicted of these felonies? It was in my late teen years and very early twenties. Instead of letting poor choices early on shape my life and instead of settling for life with a GED I worked full time, attended Cowley for my associates degree, Southwestern for the Bachelors, and Friends University for a Masters in Business Law. So as you can see I know a great deal about change, improvement, and I am very well versed in the operation of government.
When you are talking facts you should really review all of them. While you were quick to point out the detention you did forget to mention the follow up article that there were in fact NO CHARGES of public intoxication or domestic violence filed in the court. There was a charge of disorderly conduct filed which I was guilty of. The police in this city do a marvelous job in protecting the citizens of our city. Sometimes in doing so they are required to make quick judgments in the field and they err on the side of caution and sometimes don't have all of the facts. There was no domestic violence and I actually was not even at my house.
Now I am not saying I was as innocent as a lamb, I had something to drink that day although not a lot. And I did act irresponsibly. I did choose to have a few drinks as I morned what viewed as a tragic and avoidable death of one of the most talented young people I ever knew and then I chose to take a walk (much better than taking a drive) to let off steam. The public intoxication ordinance is and interesting one, and one that I suspect would not hold up to a constitutional challenge as the 14th amendment prohibits unconstitutionally vague laws and ordinances as they violate due process.
What does it take to violate the ordinance? Basically when you have had anything to drink and you are annoying to others you violate the ordinance. No blood alcohol level is associated with it. So if you should go to church, take communion, and they annoy me, and I call the police because you have had alcohol you are technically violating the ordinance and are publicly intoxicated.
I don't expect to get every vote and thats OK. I do hope to get the informed votes though. In the future instead of engaging in anonymous character assassination please get all of your facts straight, check your background to make sure you are without fault, and challenge me publicly. Speaking of public I don't recall you mentioning that I also have a record of service in public office and I would challenge you to find one person that can say they feel the poor judgment of my youth reflected my behavior in the board room.
Well put John, and I wish you luck. You have hit the nail on the head so to speak. People in this city and county very rarely seek facts before speaking. We have all scene it in the past, Parkerfield annexation, big box, rural fire district, and several others to numerous to mention. We seem to thrive on the drama of someones misfortune and tend to look at our leaders as the devil in the room among all us virgins. People don't want to ask the questions to the right people because once the questions are asked and the correct info is uncovered, their purpose in life ends. I don't always agree with your veiws but I have scene you in action. I have watched you at school events and scene you cheer on the kids in provide the support they need. Sometimes our past makes us better people, makes us understand where people are coming from, makes us make better informed decisions. Good luck don't know wht anyone would want to serve so many ungratefull and unwilling citizens.
I don't write on these blogs very often. For good reason. I for one am very disheartened by the way people talk to each other here.
It would be hard to find a few people that haven't done something stupid in their youth. Probably just as hard to find a middle aged couple that haven't had an argument or two. Unfortunately, yours just happened to make it out of the house. (could've been any of us)
Public office is a public service. This is why good people, capable people refuse to do it. I say, let's all be a little more forgiving, civil, & polite. I appreciate your service on the School Board. (all the other Board Members too)
