For the first time we hear from EJ McManus directly…
McManus said “I’ve taken full responsibility and I apologize for the embarrassment.” The Talent city councilman was arrested and charged with driving drunk last year and since the arrest, pressure has been mounting for him to step down.
Even ‘Mothers Against Drunk Driving’ is calling for the councilman to step aside saying quote “McManus should be removed or resign his council seat.”
“Hopefully council makes the right decision on the information we have in front of us.” said McManus
McManus says he acknowledges what he did was wrong but he says his poor actions don’t affect his ability to serve.
McManus said “I’m just gonna wait until whatever the outcome is.”
For Mayor Bill Cecil the controversy is yet another problem for a city plagued by recent trouble.
In addition to EJ’s run in with the law, former city councilman Dan Goyette resigned after police say he took sexually explicit pictures of an underage girl.
Cecil said “Realistically, it’s been a difficult year for a mayor. We’ve had 3 city managers. We lost 2 council people.”
Cecil says ultimately the decision to get rid of McManus should rest with the voters who put him in office.
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