Pubdate: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 Source: Boulder Weekly (CO) Copyright: 2006 Boulder Weekly Contact: http://www.boulderweekly.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57 Author: Stewart Sallo Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1311/a07.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) POLK HITS POTHOLE If it is anything, the work environment at Boulder Weekly is fiercely tolerant. Of course, like any ethical business, we're prepared to bring employees into our circle regardless of their age, gender, religion, nationality, color or sexual orientation. But our level of tolerance goes far beyond that. We've been known to hire individuals who shop at Wal-Mart, wear Nike shoes, eat at the Cheesecake Factory and even root for the New York Yankees (gasp)-so long as they can make a positive contribution to our mission of saving the world, one Thursday at a time. And, yes, we even tolerate employees who smoke weed-so long as they do it on their time and it doesn't affect their job performance. That's why I'm against removing Richard Polk from his seat on the Boulder City Council for driving after smoking weed. On the evening of Monday, Sept. 25, Richard Polk, who is also the owner of long-time Boulder business The Pedestrian Shops, was cited and arrested by Boulder Police for driving in downtown Boulder under the influence of marijuana. Normally I would have added the word "allegedly" to the last sentence, but since Polk has subsequently admitted to and apologized for the offense there is no need to invoke the "innocent until proven guilty" hallmark of our legal system. Because the city charter calls for the automatic removal of a council member convicted of a crime, it is probable that Polk will, ultimately, be removed from his post. There are several interesting issues surrounding this incident, ranging from Polk's suggestion at the time of his arrest that his status as a Boulder City Council member might afford him preferential treatment ("Wait, can we do something else," Polk said to the arresting officer, according to the police report. "I am a Boulder City Council member. I'm embarrassed. Please don't do this."), to the cost to the city should there be a special election to replace him on Council. I'll cover both of those issues in this column, but first there's something I just have to get off my chest. According to the police report, Polk failed a roadside sobriety test. Further, he admitted he had been drinking wine within 30 minutes of his arrest. Now, keep that in mind while I add one more ingredient to the mix: It is well known among a certain group of people in Boulder-let's call them the "I visited Richard Polk at his store to sell him advertising" club-that Polk is not, shall we say, a "pot virgin." Against that backdrop, and considering, too, the confiscation of a second bag of weed, and Polk's reference to his stash as "low-grade stuff" and "leftovers," you've got yourself a seasoned pot user. A seasoned stoner like Richard Polk who has run a successful business-regularly under the influence-for more than three decades, and has succeeded in getting himself elected to and holding down the responsibilities of the Boulder City Council, clearly knows how to maintain! Such an individual doesn't fail a roadside sobriety test for smoking a little weed. It will be interesting to learn what his blood alcohol level was at the time of the arrest. As I have said, I am against removing Polk from the City Council for smoking weed in his car. I just do not believe that this proves he is unable to perform his duties as a council member. However, there are some other aspects of this incident that should raise bigger questions in our minds about Polk's suitability to serve the needs of his Boulder constituency. The most obvious of these is Polk's apparent belief in a two-tiered justice system. Whether the Boulder Police Department commonly releases, rather than incarcerates, individuals arrested for allegedly driving stoned is not the point. The fact that Polk even asked for special favors should be considered a deal breaker for a public servant who was elected to uphold justice for all the people of Boulder. Strike One! Next is Polk's questionable honesty at the time of his arrest. Although the arresting officer, Keith Steinman, reported that the pipe he confiscated from Polk was warm, Polk said he hadn't smoked the pipe in "real recent time." And further, consider Polk's claim that he "forgot" about the second bag of weed that was found in his pocket by Officer Steinman. Does this seem credible? All of this raises questions about the honesty of our City Councilman. Strike Two! Finally, we have Polk's apparent disregard for how this entire affair impacts the ability of our City Council to focus on city business-not to mention the cost to the citizens of Boulder should there be a need for a special election. Mayor Mark Ruzzin has said that the Council is predisposed to wait for the outcome of Polk's hearing to make any decision. Given the timing, a special election will be the likely outcome, an endeavor that could cost the city close to $100,000. Strike Three! In his statement of apology, Polk said, "I realize that, as an elected member of City Council, I have an obligation to act responsibly at all times." The only "responsible" thing for Richard Polk to do is to immediately resign his seat on the Boulder City Council. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin