Mayor Edwards episode with an automobile and possibly alcohol brings to mind another episode involving a Mayor of Burlington roughly 40 years ago.

Mayor Carl Hoschek was stopped by police for erratic driving. There was talk of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The final story was His Honor was having clutch trouble with the automatic transmission in his new car. There were no charges to answer for.

Brilliant leadership by example is nothing new in Burlington.

BD


Well, I'm glad to see that there is an explanation for Tim Hoschek's inability to accept responsibility and lack of mechanical aptitude.

Spike

Spike,

I really don't like the idea the newspaper printed this story on Thanksgiving. It just shows the lack of editorial direction Delaney is giving.

I am glad Edwards pulled over whether drunk or not. At least they weren't responding to an accident scene.

And I really don't like how it looks like they are covering up the story. There seems to be too many people that didn't learn about for "3 days." I don't believe that all of them learned exactly 3 days later.

Anonymous and none of your business who I am King.


We haven't had time to address the newspaper's role in this. After all, everybody gets this edition of the paper for the ads anyway. And the same number won't care next week to buy a follow-up copy.

But it was well written. Let's see what happens from here.

Spike

Spike,

These people (city gov.,BPD) need to start being held accountable. They have been running amok far too long!! Since there is no newspaper in the area, these cronies and phonies have been left unchallenged and unchecked.

Please continue in your quest to expose the truth. I may not always agree with your opinions, but I always respect the facts.

I have to admit, it scares me that this drunk with a bad temper is packing a piece! I hope I don't accidently piss him off!!

BB

Well, your post the other day was more profound that we all thought. I'd hate to be the next elected official in a similar alcohol related position.

A drunk with a gun is a law enforcement nightmare. Especially a drunk with a concealed weapons permit. Think how we feel. We piss Edwards off every week for his embarassing behavior.

Spike

Spike

Regarding the "other" site, a recent post is from a "listener". According to their rules, "No content will be allowed without a name associated with it. This blog is about taking responsibility for your thoughts and words."

Seems like they don't even follow their own rules.

Regarding the Edwards issue, if the police department was so concerned about how to handle the situation, why didn't they request the assistance from an outside agency such as the State Patrol.

I'm sure they would have assisted concerning the circumstances and would free the city from any possible cover-up.

anonymous

King is so far out of his tree he needs his concealed weapons permit taken away from him on December 31. I can't wait for for that loud-mouth gas bag to tell us what the real story is. Or, for the sore loser to just go home like sore losers do.

Re: the State Patrol. That wouldn't be a good thing. The State Patrol would have administered a field sobriety test and probably arrested Edwards for DUI. And the police department would not have been placed in a really bad position.

Spike

Spike:

In 1998 there were 82 of our congressional members picked up in and around Washington for drunk driving. Of course all of them were released with no charges pending.

Does this injustice trickle down to Burlington's officials as well? I remember one city official here in town that lost his job because of a similar episode just a few years ago, although he was a city employee and not elected to office.

There are two standards when it comes to DUI's in this country and MADD goes along with this double standard. I sent that organization many E-mails regarding the congressmen and what they were going to do about it, and of course, no reply, ever.

Many in this country have no idea of the crap going on behind their backs when it comes to elected officials. When will America wake up and boot these deadbeats out of office?

FS

It wil be interesting to see how this gets shoveled under the rug. Expecially after Edwards drank from 7 pm to 1 am in multiple bars and doesn't remember how many beers he had.

If I over generalize alcohol's effects, most people that consume 3 drinks or 4 beers in an hour, are border line legally drunk.

A beer or two comment from a drunk means at least a 12 pack. It's the most common phrase heard on Cops.

Spike

Spike,

10 or more years ago, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the interior of a privately owned automobile was to be considered private property.

Your first two points (keys in the ignition, and/or vehicle running) would show intent for a OWI/DUI charge. It was a narrow ruling, dealing with a public intoxication charge against the passenger of the vehicle, which was parked in a store lot, at the time of the arrest.

Regardless, Edwards' personal conduct has been pathetic. When the council elects a mayor, do they lobotomize the individual or take out that part of the brain that rules common sense?

Burlington has a long history of drunken or brawling mayors. Edward's two predecessors come to mind.

If this city is going to attract new businesses, it needs a mayor that doesn't constantly appear on the front page for acts of questionable intelligence.
sign me,
Uninspired

You raise one of the intangible liabilities, what does Edwards' behavior tell a prospective company about the city they consider moving to?

Companies want to be associated with dynamic, forward thinking city before making an investment. But what will tell a prospect more is how the city and community deal with this.

Spike

Edwards Out Drinking “Asleep” At The Wheel – Cover-up Suspected

Citizens Need To Demand Independent Investigation From State

Several days before the election, Burlington Mayor Mike Edwards was found in his vehicle asleep after a night of bar hopping and drinking. Edwards freely admitted to being concerned about his sobriety. I would imagine so; he was probably drunk.

According to the published account of this in today’s paper even though the responding officers smelled alcohol on Edwards’ breath, Edwards was asked if he wanted to submit to field sobriety test.

Edwards was asked? What do you mean he was asked? Do law enforcement officers routinely ask someone if they want to submit to a field sobriety test? Hell no!!

They tell you that you are going to be administered a field sobriety test. And then you are. If you pass, you get to go home. If not, everybody else in this town other than maybe Slagle goes directly to jail.

I have a few questions for everyone involved in this ordeal.

1. Were Edwards’ keys in the ignition of his vehicle? Were Edwards’ keys accessible to him?

2. Was the vehicle running?

3. What was Edwards’ physical condition? Could he walk? Could he stand? Did he weave like a drunk? Was his speech slurred?

4. How many suspected drunk drivers does the police department let go each year? Or better question, how many suspected drunk drivers were let go in the week in question related to this incident? One, 5, 10? I would guess no one other than Edwards.

5. Would Chris King get the same treatment or is this just for the Mayor?

According to rumors we’ve heard regarding yet another Burlington Mayor fiasco, there were phone calls exchanged with the responding officers and the watch commander and city management. Is this is true, then everyone should resign. Except the two patrol officers.

In the newspaper account, Slagle denies any involvement. In fact Slagle said, “Quite frankly, it’s not an issue to me.” Not an issue? Everybody knows Edwards is your drinking buddy Bruce, but don’t treat us like the dumb asses you think we are.

Edwards sits on the Vision Iowa Board of Directors. Edwards is the Mayor. Edwards is to lead the City and shape its direction into the future. Edwards pattern of behavior has been disgraceful and an embarrassment to everyone in this community for more than a year. Everyone just sits here and believes the crap Edwards spews forth.

I think Quirk needs to file a Freedom of Information request for a complete copy of the dispatch tapes for that night including all of the cell phone records. Then Quirk needs to interview the 2 police officers. The community would like to hear from them.

I don’t believe this is all there is to the story. I think two patrol officers were put in a very bad situation. And if Edwards had any respect for the law, he would realize that instead of thinking he deserves a pass.

Edwards once asked his fellow council members if he should resign. Don’t ask the public. If 5 people don’t demand a recall, I’ll be surprised.

Edwards went before the council and swore off drinking while he sat in the council seat. I guess he just meant he wouldn’t drink during the council meetings. Edwards was drinking when he got caught at Burger King and he was drinking when he allegedly threatened the temp worker in the West Burlington bar.

I hope when Edwards is on one of his binges he doesn’t hurt or kill someone. Not only will it be a tragedy, the taxpayers will probably have to pay for it. Because whoever gets hurt, the civil attorneys will chew this town apart. Once you know and condone, you’re a party to the action.

When you drink you can’t think. If you can’t think you can’t lead. If you can’t lead you need to resign. Before you kill someone. Then go get some help to control this disease.

And the Sheriff needs to cancel Edwards’ concealed weapons permit. Now.