Other Articles in this Category
31 minutes ago
1 hour & 3 minutes ago
Most Viewed Stories
Most Commented Stories
County administrator booked on DUI charges
February 09, 2010 8:21 AM
GAINESVILLE — Washington County Administrator Pete Herbert is facing driving while under the influence charges in Alachua County. Herbert was charged with misdemeanor DUI alcohol or drugs first offense in Gainesville on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
County Commission Chairman Eddie Holman said that Herbert is on administrative leave with pay. A special called meeting of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Friday, 9 a.m. for the BOCC to discuss the issue and possibly take further action.
Holmes said that Herbert was on his way to a conference. According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Herbert was driving his 2008 Toyota Tundra pickup truck north on State 93 outside Gainesville when an officer observed the truck “weaving back and forth” and traveling 20 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone. The officer activated his emergency lights and after a time the truck managed to pull off the road safely.
According to the report several empty beer bottles were in the truck and other bottles were also found. Herbert failed three field sobriety tests and refused to take a breath test, according to the report. He was booked into Alachua County Jail on DUI charges, failure to exhibit driver’s license failure to maintain a single lane.
Herbert has been released from jail.
See archived 'Local News' stories »
Reader's comments
| My Dad always told me if you can't do the time then don't do the crime. Sorry Pete but you were wrong and made a very poor choice. If you can not make the simple choices in life like trying to figure out if you should drink and drive then I for one do not believe you should be deciding where the taxpayers monies should be spent. |
|
| mayor - Feb 12, 2010 06:40:04 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| He will get the help he needs when they find him guilty. He will get to stand up in front of the rest of the AA members and say "hi, my name is Pete Herbert and I am an alcaholic". And since he was at Gainsville he may not get that special "good ole boy" treatment he would get from these "good ole boy" judges we have around here. I agree with, county resident, no one has disrespected his family. He did that when he got on the road drunk. Just think how you would feel about him or his family if he had ran over your child, or anyone else in your family while driving drunk. Another thing, I have nothing to do all day, so If you remove my comment, I will put it back on here. Opinions are like hineys, and I'm voicing mine. |
|
| Forrest Gump - Feb 11, 2010 07:49:48 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| i also think that he should be terminated, why in the world is he on paid leave, that is crazy. costing us money for him to sit at home. |
|
| meme - Feb 11, 2010 07:40:37 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| I guess the family and close friends are removing the comments. I didn't say anything disrespectful of Pete nor his family |
|
| Who Dat? - Feb 10, 2010 05:48:12 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| I don't see that anyone is disrespecting his family here. Commenting on a news story and or giving one's opinion has nothing to do with respect or disrespect for the family. Respecting his family is his obligation. It is his responsibility to protect them from such embarassment. He did not do that and that task should not be heaped onto the taxpayers or onlookers. |
|
| County resident - Feb 10, 2010 02:10:48 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| Everyone makes mistakes. However, everyone also needs to face the consequences. If I was arrested today for a DUI, I would be fired immediately. Sorry Pete every choice has consequences. |
|
| concerned citizen - Feb 10, 2010 11:31:32 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| If this was on personal time, it should be his own concern. He WAS driving his own vehicle, not the county's. Please, let's respect the family in this. They are great people! He did this, not all of them! |
|
| Concerned citizen - Feb 10, 2010 11:30:25 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| I think the notion of rehab on the County dime is an insult to every tax paying citizen in this County. Just because he's the Administrator makes no difference, he shouldn't get any type of special treatment. If we had a grader operator that was busted in the same manner while on County business, there wouldn't even be a meeting, he/she would be terminated. Working for the County isn't 'Club Med'. There are far too many people looking for a job right now that are more than qualified to do his job. Yes, there's a concern for the real problem here but it's not up to the citizens of Washington County to hold his hand while he and his family deal with it. Again, HE made that decision, HE needs to suffer the consequences. Be thankful he didn't kill someone's son, daughter, father, mother, sister or brother! |
|
| Concerned Too - Feb 09, 2010 04:47:33 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| at least he got a fair chance. i did not get a chance back in 2008, when the fhp did not do any tests but i`ve had my d/l suspended. i do not have a tear duct in my eye so one thing they look for is bloodshot eyes. you great peolpe of washington countyare trying so hard to be something you are not. |
|
| mr tipton - Feb 09, 2010 04:47:29 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| WOW! Is there any concern for what may be a the real problem, and a fix that will be a win - win situation for the Herbert family and the citizens of Washington County? How about mandatory rehab/therapy to fix his issues, and a probationary period to make sure he does it. If not, then out he goes. You can not help folks who do not want help. But, I believe they a least deserve a chance to turn it around. |
|
| Concerned - Feb 09, 2010 11:28:35 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| I have to agree with the other posters. If he had been off duty, after hours at the conference, etc, it might be one thing. But driving to the conference in the middle of the day. I assume it was daytime. means that he has a real drinking problem that needs to be addressed. I too like Pete, have found him to be a nice guy, but you just cant have this type of behavior on duty. |
|
| Voter - Feb 09, 2010 09:12:49 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| Pete, you have been a faithful employee and citizen. You have always supported your family and been there for your kids. I've watched you in the stands as your son played baseball time and time again. You are a good man. You and your family are good people and deserve fairness. That said, I believe in the justice system and pray it deals fairly. Good luck to you. |
|
| Concerned in Vernon - Feb 09, 2010 09:09:32 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| Very well spoken and I for One totally agree. Pete you will be missed and thank you for your service. But you need to go . |
|
| mayor - Feb 09, 2010 08:36:51 AM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| I agree with mayor. I know and like Pete but he was the one that made the choice to drink and drive. Compounding that poor choice was the fact that he did it while on County business. Pete, but that was a career ending decision. And no, nobody is standing around waiting on people to fall. Pete is/was in a very public position and because of that, the people that pay his salary, the tax payers, are going to sound off about it. Good people make bad choices everyday and they just have to live with the consequences. Sorry Pete but I will be one of those people asking for your termination. We can all be thankful that no one was injured or killed! |
|
| Also a friend - Feb 08, 2010 11:30:03 PM | Remove Comment |
| | |
| It sure would be nice if people would be respectful of the Herbert family during this difficult time. People make mistakes. It is just so sad that it seems that so many are standing around waiting on people to fall. People in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones, one day it just might be their turn in the spotlight. |
|
| A Friend - Feb 08, 2010 06:11:53 PM | Remove Comment |
