Sobering Advice

Alcohol has been popular in Maryland since the first colonists brewed their humble mead, wine, hard cider and corn likker. Used in proper moderation, it's an enjoyable aspect of many lives. 

But far too many people load up a snootful and then get behind the wheel of a car, and far too many of them are politicians, the very people who appear at public functions urging the rest of us to Just Say No and Call A Designated Driver.

The latest example is the County Executive of Cecil County, Alan J. McCarthy, who was recently arrested and charged with drunken driving and other traffic offenses after a police stopped him on Rt. 213 south of Elkton. That's the road named Augustine Herman Highway, and the CE was down there near the Crab Shack when he was pulled over for "weaving back and forth across the center and side lines," as the police report tells it.

Trooper Kyle Eby of the North East Barrack made the arrest, after which the pixilated politician was taken back to the barrack for processing and issuance of citations charging him with driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions, failure to drive a vehicle on the right half of a roadway when required, and negligent driving of a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life and person, police said, adding that the charges also include driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and reckless driving of a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for safety of persons and property.

McCarthy signed his citations and was released to a sober driver.

The county administration was notified of the head man's arrest, and Dr McCarthy (he is an equine veterinarian) went right back to work, even appearing at a Drug Take Back Day at Elkton High School two days after his unfortunate evening. 

McCarthy spoke at the evening, focusing on the effects of addictions on a community, and remarked, "I am speaking about a subject that, unfortunately, I know too much about."

Let your fingers take a walk through Googleville as you search for "Maryland Public Officials DWI" and grab a soft drink; you'll be reading a while.  It happens far too often, and the shame is that we are always counting on football and baseball players to be role models and community leaders, when we should count on the people we elect to make and enforce our laws to at least follow them.

A truly public-minded official in these straits should acknowledge that they are fighting an opponent much larger than any they've vanquished before, and step away from public duties to go seek help.  The County will still be here when you come back, ready to work.  

And so will you, sir.