Archived Story
Ironton mayor arrested for DUI
Published 8:38pm Sunday, August 5, 2012Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship is apologizing to his family and his constituents after being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol early Sunday morning in Kentucky.
According to an employee at the Greenup County Jail, Blankenship posted a $1,000 bond after he was brought to that facility on misdemeanor charges of DUI and careless driving. The exact time of the arrest was unavailable.
Contacted Sunday evening, Blankenship said he had been visiting with a high school friend he had not seen in several years at the man’s home in Wurtland, Ky. While watching television and catching up on the past, Blankenship said he consumed a “few beers” but didn’t feel that he was intoxicated.
While driving home, Blankenship said he was pulled over by a Raceland, Ky., police officer for not staying within his lane.
“I felt like I was okay to drive,” Blankenship said. “I was by myself. But he felt he had probable cause.”
The mayor said he has a mid-August court date on the matter.
“If I am found guilty I will accept the consequences,” Blankenship said. “I apologize to my family and to the citizens of Ironton. I thought I was OK to drive home. Evidently the officer didn’t think so. I did cooperate fully with the officer.”
indie; An interesting thought Pertaining to your comment about the Mayor stepping down; Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was considered to be a drunk by many of his detractors. President Abraham Lincoln quizzed, what brand does he drink? I would see to it, that all my generals received a bottle. General Grant was one of the greatest military commanders this country ever had.
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“Lets see! Around 2:00 AM Sunday morning, Raceland, Ky. I’m sure the traffic was heavy and there were quite a few pedestrians out and about. Would it have been possible for the arresting officer to call a family member and have them come and pick the mayor and his car up?”
Mick, are you joking? I don’t ever want to hear that pro-life stuff again if you want to let a ticking bomb off the hook and why…because of who he is?
That would send a great message…drunk driving = not a big deal.
No, they NEED to make an example of him. Every other time we see a story about someone committing a crime, the response here is NO MERCY.
What a bunch of hypocrites!
And, Mick, you’re better than that. I hope you rethink your position.
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And Rich, do what’s best for the community and step down.
We don’t want to have to explain to our kids why a drunk…who drives that way, no less…is the Mayor of Ironton.
Just step down.
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WOW How STUPID are people on here. Some of you want to give the mayor a high five and some just think you should get to call someone to pick you up and drive you home. THE MAN WAS DRUNK RISKING INOCENT LIVES. HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL…
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I don’t think anyone wants to give him a high five for driving drunk. As for offering him a ride home, I’d give anyone that’s had too many to drink a ride home if they called instead of letting them drive and risk lives. Nothing wrong with the folks offering to do that for him, it would have been much better than him getting behind the wheel after drinking a few. Me personally I won’t drive even after I’ve drank one, unless it’s several hours later. But that’s just how I’ve always been, not everyone is like that.
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So, the guy had a few too many, whats the big deal? I’ll bet most of you have been there one time or another, yet you get on here and down this guy for the same thing. I don’t know him, but i don’t see anything wrong with him taking a beer or two at times, just because I don’t drink don’t mean he shouldn’t.
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LMAO… It sure is funny how the mayor said he did cooperate fully with the officer. Well he refused the alcohol test which would have determined without a doubt his alcohol level. This is a technique that people use when they can afford a lawyer to fight their guilt. Well we all know now the mayor is a DRUNK. Enough money can buy you out of murder…
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There is no excuse for anyone to drive drunk. It is not a mistake he chose to do it. Everyone has seen the commercials and accidents on the news about it. Driving drunk is like driving with a bomb. One mistake and it blows. Then it can hurt or kill not only the driver but others.
The mayor should do community service instead of jail time. Put him out on these hot days and make him sweat in working. Sitting in jail just costs the public even more. Make him do hard labor. Then also do the samething for anyone who gets caught DUI during the Rally on the River. Catch all of them. Then there will be plenty of help to clean up Ironton.
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Rich you goofed,shame on you..
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It is a sad day when our elected officials break the laws. Anyone knows that elected officials and business owners are looked up to in the community and they should live by the laws. There are no stupid excuses that I was catching up with friends and having a few drinks and it is ok. YOU LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
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Stay outta Ky. Next time Rich call and I’ll pick you up. In the meantime hold your head up this can happen to anybody. Just anybody gets a DUI its nothing, Mayor gets DUI Front Page News.
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Really a person of his position gonna get a dui.He is one that should obey laws.He is a leader of a town that has a really bad pill/drug problem and he is gonna go out and drink and drive.In my opinion that does not show very good leadership.Yeah we all do make mistakes but, a mistake like that as a mayor of a town or city is one that should have not been made.When he got in his car and started driving he put alot of innocent people in harms way.If he dont care about the people he could have hurt while under the influence then he sure dont care about the people he will hurt in the future as the mayor of ironton.Please voters let this be a lesson learned and lets remove him from office.
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DemONCHILD, you obviously didn’t care for him to begin with, you are probably one of his haters, but you don’t live in a glass house either I am sure so stop casting stones. He made a mistake and he has admitted it, there are several that has been in office and worked for the system that has not ever admitted they were wrong. I guess I just wish everyone was as perfect as you.
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Hey Rich, we all make mistakes and we all have to face consequences but none of us live in glass houses and no one can cast stones, you are not perfect just like no one else is. I will always stand behind you 100%. This is just a time that everyone like to cast their stones, hang in there, you have done the best job for Ironton as any mayor we have had and you continue to do so. Good luck!!
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I agree on all comments…BUT, I’m sure that he had no sympathy for all those people that got pulled over and went to jail for DUI…What makes him any better than the rest of Ironton…I mean come on (SERIOUSLY) trying to tell the police “I thought I was ok to drive”…every drunk thats out there driving says the same when they get pulled over..He put not only himself but everyone on the road in harms way..I have children out there driving..he should get the 3 days in jail or the dui schooling just like anyone else…JUST SAYIN’
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