i hope this turd still loses his license... here in NY, failure to take the test is the same as guilty of dwi no matter WHAT silly excuse you come up with.
Posted on 12/07/2005 4:16:01 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
EDINBURG - Hidalgo County District Clerk Omar Guerrero deeply regrets his lack of good judgment and apologizes to all his supporters, according to a statement issued by the agency handling his re-election campaign.
The statement reads: "Early in the morning last week, I was summoned to the aid of a good friend who needed assistance and unfortunately it was the wrong thing to do at the wrong time. I had been taking medication for an illness and this affected my ability to communicate effectively with the McAllen police officer. I'm human like everyone else and I make mistakes. In retrospect, it wasn't a very smart decision on my part."
Last Wednesday, McAllen police officers arrested Guerrero after he showed up disoriented at a crime scene McAllen police were working, police said. Police said they found a small amount of marijuana in the car Guerrero was driving and charged him with possession of marijuana and driving while intoxicated.
Guerrero, 28, was released later that evening from Hidalgo County Jail on a personal recognizance bond. He refused a blood test, citing his beliefs in the ancient African religion Ifa. But the religion does not prohibit such tests, according to a top Ifa official.
Nonsense, said Philip Neimark, the chief executive officer of the Florida-based Ifa Foundation of North America. He said there is no doctrine in Ifa philosophy that prohibits a person from taking a blood test or receiving medical treatment.
"There's a lot of contradiction," said Neimark, adding it would be a personal decision to refuse a blood test, not religious.
Guerrero's chief deputy Heriberto Quiroga could not comment for Guerrero and his religious beliefs. Guerrero was unavailable for comment.
In the statement, he addresses his religious beliefs, saying Ifa "covers many truths in our life including the belief that there is a single Creative Force (God), there is no devil and you must never initiate harm to another human being."
Guerrero has been absent from the office since his arrest. Quiroga said there is a chance Guerrero could return to work today, although his attorney, Al Alvarez, was more reserved, and said Guerrero could be back in his office in the Hidalgo County Courthouse late this week or early next week.
"He's coming back," Alvarez said. "He is running for re-election."
Last week, Alvarez also said that $6,800 was missing from Guerrero's vehicle, although no money has turned up. McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said officers only found $400 on Guerrero the day of the arrest and police have not heard from him about signing an affidavit regarding the alleged missing money.
"We haven't resolved (that issue) yet," Alvarez said.
The statement does not address the alleged missing money.
McAllen police are still investigating the case and will send it to District Attorney Rene Guerra upon completion. Guerra said he will look at the case "when the smoke settles" and the investigation is final.
Guerrero faces two opponents in the March Democratic primary, Laura Hinojosa and Robert Mendoza. In this case, University of Texas-Pan American political science professor and political observer Jerry Polinard said Guerrero did the best thing by apologizing and admitting a mistake.
"Well, it's not a good campaign strategy to start off by being arrested," Polinard said. "(But) if there is any question of guilt, the best thing is to admit it, apologize and go forward. Nobody expects perfection in officials; at least we shouldn't."
In an election season, every action affects one's chance for re-election, said Don Breeden, who is handling Guerrero's re-election campaign. He works with Breeden/McCumber Advertising, Design and Marketing in Brownsville.
"Any type of publicity, good or bad, is going to have some effect on his campaign," Breeden said. "It's too early to see."
At Tuesday's Commissioners Court, member of the government watchdog group the OWLS (Objective Watchers of the Legal System) Maria Leach said voters have a choice in the upcoming election.
"(Guerrero) should have been on the job (that morning) in the first place or at home," Leach said at the meeting. "We do have a say on what our elected officials do."
Texas border politicians are a hoot. They are every bit as corrupt as their counterparts across the border. Generally less violent, though.
"Generally less violent, though"
yeah, smokin' that medical reefer mellows them out, LOL.
Guerra said he will look at the case "when the smoke settles"
I'm in the Valley 2 weeks out of every month and the locals are more than a joke, they're dangerous. At least in Mexico, as a norm, a $50 folded over your drivers license will be adequate to resolve most problems.
i hope this turd still loses his license... here in NY, failure to take the test is the same as guilty of dwi no matter WHAT silly excuse you come up with.
"But the religion does not prohibit such tests, according to a top Ifa official."
Now we have to worry about the Ifa community?
Well, Ifa he is found positive for alcohol or drugs, there wont be any Ifa about it, he is going to jail. :)
Yeah,but they're all kin. I used to get a grin,watching them walk the local "mom and pop" restaurants. Shaking every hand in sight.
$50.00? Are you crazy? "La mordida" was only $20.00 the last time I was down there.
My how time flies. "La mordida" was only $20 last time I was in Reynosa.
ROFLMAO
Corruption is a money maker in south TX. Take a look at the red/blue maps.
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