Dwyer Admits Drinking Before Boat Crash

Brian Purdy August 25, 2012 at 10:46 am

Politician plain and simple- a slap on the hand

Sue Crandall August 25, 2012 at 01:19 pm

Dena...you just said very simply what I have been trying to say. Thanks! Even if a drunk driver is injured and taken to the hospital, as soon as he or she is discharged they are usually in the custody of law enforcement, and taken to the pokey to await a hearing. If the other boater had been drunk this is most likely what would have happenned to him.

madmary August 25, 2012 at 11:33 pm

I was having dinner with a friend of mine (who shall be nameless) who had told me that he had witness Del Dwyer drunk at Sine Die (last day of Session). He also told me that he was dancing. Also another person told me that he is separated from his wife and experiencing a 'mid life crisis' So I guess apparently he may have a drinking problem. This man has always spewed family values and religion. I am a Republican and I sure hope that he will not be reelected. I dated a man for a few years who has a drinking problem and let me tell you it is not fun dealing with a person who has a drinking problem. He did live in Harundale section of Glen Burnie with his wife. His political career is now toast!

Maribeth Kalinich August 26, 2012 at 10:40 am

Wow, this is most interesting and most sad. The saddest thing of all is a hypocritical politician who not only speaks one agenda and lives by another set of rules but also lets his constituents down by allowing his personal problems cloud his decision-making and public behavior. Holding an elected office is a privilege granted by the citizens represented not a job given by an employer. Question: Dyer's legal address is still Harundale--is that Dist. 31 or 32?

madmary August 26, 2012 at 01:37 pm

@Maribeth Kalinich. Regarding your question whether Dwyer's legal adresss is in District 31 0r 32. His Harundale address is currently in legislative 31 which he represents in the General Assembly. Now that he lives in Pasadena that is very sketchy because parts of Pasadena is in 31. So I am not sure whether his new Pasadena address is part of district 31. I have read that when the new redistricting map will go in effect, District 31 will be divided into subdistricts. If I am correct, the new map will have my part of district 31 which includes Harundale will become subdistrict 31A (Dwyers new district) Del Kipke will be in 31b which includes pasadena. So my question is when the new map goes into effect, will Dwyer run for reelection in his new subdistrict 31A where he still has a legal address where he use to live with his wife or he may challlenge his fellow delegate for the other subdistrict in pasadena? This should be very interesting indeed. If I Dwyer runs for election in my district and if I am still living in the area by then. I will not vote for him every again. I have seen him in other events and I to be totatlly honest not very impressed.

William Thomas Capps Jr. August 26, 2012 at 03:06 pm

I first met Don in 2010 when I was running for State Senate. We had spoken several times when I was running. I found him to be a candid guy. I may not always agree with him. But heck if you agree with any elected official or somebody running for office 100% of the time; I will question your intelligence.
Even when I ran folks did not always agree with me. That is fair and understandable. But the following statement I think we can all agree on. There is a higher standard you must adhere to once elected into office! Law makers are the ones who in the end; subject people with rules, policies and laws. You cannot have elected officials that are given these responsibilities and turn around and violate the law themselves. It is a no brainer to go by this standard. But even if I was an elected official, this would apply to me also, I would be no different to be held to such a standard. Too many times political parties circle the wagon and when someone in their party screws up. They’re more concern about political power then an honorable result. Don knows what he must do maintain honor because of his negative action. Can be forgiven? The victims of this accident can only decide that. Publicly he will be forgiven if he takes the high road and does the right thing. Yes Don should resign and there should be a special election. William Capps District 21 Republican.

Dena August 26, 2012 at 04:43 pm

I still want to know why it's been 4 days and no charges have been filed. At the very least, he should get a DWI. Is he really going to skate on this? Unbelievable!

madmary August 26, 2012 at 06:03 pm

@Dena, because he is an elected official. If he was Don Doe, regular guy from Glen Burnie, I bet you a dollar that he would have been charged and thrown in jail quickly. My ex boyfriend had a DUI and he had to give up his driving privileges for six months and attend a driving class. He had to stay clean for I think a year to expunge his record.

Dena August 27, 2012 at 04:47 pm

You should read his facebook page. It's unbeleiveble how many people feel sorry for him and and supporting him. I'm not saying he's the worst person in the world, by far and I do give him his due for coming out right away with his admission and apology even though he knew the evidence was going to come out anyway - that hasn't stopped other politicians from lying in the past. BUT why have charges not been pressed? Plus I do hold him to a higher standard than most. He is a law maker and should be setting an example. I'm sorry I just do not have any sympathy for him :(

Buster Ronald Timon August 27, 2012 at 07:57 pm

this to me is why they should ban alcohol and tobacco and firearms responsible people dont drink and drive period.

Charlene Kamsch August 31, 2012 at 11:30 pm

If responsible people dont drink and drive, kill others with guns or smoke in restaurants then what do you have to worry about???? It's the irresponsible ones who break all the laws, not the alcohol, guns or tobacco. I say kill and be killed and live and let live.

sara longer September 1, 2012 at 03:55 am

It funny my boyfriend got a DWI and had to pay 5,000 or more in total with court and a lawyer and 80.00 per class for 6 weeks but made him do 12 weeks. The cops spelled his name wrong. They spelled it Rya and is name is Ryan and they lied about why they pulled him over. My other friend can get pulled over for a DWI and she get's pulled over again and get's DUI when the first is not ever taking care and nothing happen. It funny how people can do the same thing and be treated different. Also one person can be change with child abuse and go to jail for giving their kid a time out. When someone els can beat their kid to were they have broken bones and all they get is a slap on the wrist and nothing else will happened. Also a female with a lot of power can go way over the speed limit and nothing happened. So I guess if your not in the 1% percent tile or a cop you got to follow the law. Lol this reminds me of a joke I once heard at a bar from one person in my DUI, “ What does a cop your boss and 1% percent tile have in common with a Nazi? They all tell you what to do how to do it and to believe that their way is right way, and if you ever try to fight them or go against them you lose.”funny joke I think.

Amy Leahy September 6, 2012 at 01:01 pm

Wm. T. Capps - Typical Republican attitude of throwing our own under the bus. I will never be one to stick up for ANYONE who breaks the law however I will not publicly announce that someone should resign before all the facts are known. Del. Dwyer will have his "day in court" if it comes to that, just like our county executive, if it comes to that.

Patrick H. September 6, 2012 at 02:01 pm

Crossing the 'Ts' and dotting the "I's". This is not a case that any prosecutor wants to lose so a complete investigation is needed. I am thankful that the prosecutor(s) are not jumping on your bandwagen before all the facts are know. There are people sitting on death row for dozens of years and, believe it or not, a couple are granted new trials after a complete investigation.
Justice is slow but it will come.

Patrick H. September 6, 2012 at 02:06 pm

Sounds like political grandstanding to me. I hope that you do not represent your constituents this way. Given your 'guilty until proven innocent' attitude I think you should resign. Shouldn't his constitutents be the ones that determine whether he stays or goes. When reading your comment the terms 'traitor to the the Republican Party', 'Hollier than thou', 'do as I say and not as I do', and more come to mind. And, although I haven't voted Republican in awhile because I haven't found one worth voting for, I have been a registered Republican since the Nixon days.
And who are you to speak for the public? Although we are looking for a home to buy I doubt it will be in your jurisdiction - or maybe I should look there so that I can vote against you. Please reconsider your position and stop kissing up.

Patrick H. September 6, 2012 at 02:09 pm

Probably true but still hearsay. What are people saying about you behind your back? I like toast - especially with cream cheese and strawberry jello.
lol

Dena September 6, 2012 at 02:09 pm

It's been over 2 weeks now. What is taking so long?? Regardless I dont know why they at least have not issued the DWI. Whether the accident was his fault or not, he was operating a boat at 2 1/2 times the legal limit... blood tests prove it as well as his own public admission. Why wouldn't he get a DWI????? that's what I want to know! If I was in an accident, even if it was not my fault but I was drunk, I'd be hauled off to the pokey on the spot. Unfair and outrageous!

Sue Crandall September 6, 2012 at 02:17 pm

Amen, Sara! I don't believe in witch hunts, or conviction before trial, just equal treatment under the law. I heard a news story 2 days ago, no charges in this matter have been filed yet. You'd think his name was Kennedy, not Dwyer. Anyone remember what Tecdy Boy did to Mary Jo Kopechne? Left her to die in a submerged car. He went on to become a US Senator, re-elected many times. Justice isn't blind, folks, she's just a little prejudiced toward power and influence. :)

Patrick H. September 6, 2012 at 02:21 pm

I'm confused Sara. You were in a DUI Group at a bar joking about Nazi's? As far as your boss goes - it is his way as long as you want a paycheck.

MICHAEL CADOGAN October 3, 2012 at 07:21 pm

Amy a man who is struggling to make ends meet? WOW are you smoking wacky weed. Yes, He can afford a 26 foot boat, gas, insurance, and he STRUGGLING??? Give me that type of struggling! Your right, "a lot of PEOPLE don't like Don Dwyer, including his own party. Maybe you should think before you put things it in print.

Dena October 3, 2012 at 07:50 pm

Amy has her head buried deep in the sand. I feel sorry for her :( She has not doubt that when the dust settles, they will deal with him the same as any other citizen??? I wonder what she has to say now that it's been well over a month. This is NOT how any other citizen would be treated and I'd be surprised if any charges EVER get filed which is Outrageous! Even if they can prove the accident was not his fault, why shouldn't he get a DWI. I would love for the Patch to followup on this and get answers from the DNR. WHY??? we just want an explanation as to why NO DWI??????

Toby Rice Drews October 24, 2012 at 07:43 am

The National Institutes of Health says that half of all American families have at least one or two alcoholics in them. The brain damage causes the accidents....... but he bent the elbow -- yes, it's a disease--- but no one forced him to drink. Yes, he needs treatment, but he should also have consequences. I think that (in addition to any other consequences) he should be made to attend A.A. at least 5 times a week for 3 years-------- maybe then it'll "take'' and he'll get and stay sober. --- Toby Rice Drews, author, the "Getting Them Sober'' books

Sue Crandall October 24, 2012 at 02:52 pm

The police investigation did show that the at fault driver here was not Dwyer. The press conveniently left out the pictures of the boats, leaving everyone to assume it was Dwyer who was wrong. . That being said, Dwyer should have gotten a ticket ASAP. I also wonder if the at fault operators BAC was tested. This reminds me of the time a relative and a friend were both blind drunk driving to a bar in two separate cars. The friend was snagged in a roadbloack. When the relative realized the guy was no longer following him he went back to see where the friend was. Completely ignoring the pretty flashing lights and the nice men in uniform, he strolled up to the officers to see what the problem was. That turned into yet another DUI arrest. :) Yep, everyone who was operating a boat that night above the state legal limit should have had a ticket for DUI written immediately. That violation is separqate from the accident itself I believe.

Dena October 24, 2012 at 05:29 pm

Unless you were there and SAW the accident, you cannot go on pictures alone. I think both were at some fault. Also when you see a boat pulling tubers, you should always slow down regardless. I dont' even think he saw them. :( That said, the driver AND adult passenger of the other boat DID submit to breathalizers on the spot. Neither had been drinking.

Dena November 15, 2012 at 06:47 pm

This has slimy crooked cover up written all over it. The people of our community should be outraged! Would love to be able to get the statistics as to how many DWIs were given out over the summer to boaters and how long it took to actually issue the DWI. Are we really going to sit by and let him get away with this? How can anyone in our area have ANY faith, trust or respect for the NRP???? I used to see them as a valuable resource and now I just seem them as dirty crooks. I'm embarrassed for our community :(

Mark Patro December 20, 2012 at 11:36 pm

sign the petition
http://www.change.org/petitions/michael-e-busch-remove-delegate-don-dwyer-for-driving-a-boat-while-intoxicated

Dena December 20, 2012 at 11:57 pm

signed!

steve James December 28, 2012 at 12:35 am

Now I really believe in God. Dwyer was the chief homophobe of the MD legislature.
Separately I knocked on a thousand doors in / Severna park to support Q6 to allow our gay neigbors to marry under civil law (churches can still do as they please - its amendment 1 of the US constitution.) 70-80% of the people I spoke to supported keeping the law. For those who were questioning - on the fence - all I had to do was point out that Don Dwyer of boat crashing fame was the key legislatvie architect of the referendum, Funny how things work out. Sorry and best wishes to Dwyers victims. Thank you Don also. (PS Don I'm quite sure belongs to a smaller xtian church that is extremly conservative. Their progressive branch of the presbyterians - many of the churches support marriage equaltiy (most xtian churches have a lot of independence) And my thanks to the 100 or so catholic priests in WA state who publically supported Mar equality, some here in MD also etc etc.

Sue Crandall December 28, 2012 at 05:50 am

Hey Steve. You have no right to call anyone a homophobe, because they disagree with your opinion. There are several nasty epithets that could be hurled at you for what you believe is normal behavior. What are you so afraid of that you cannot allow a differing opinion? Why do liberals such as yourself go berserk when anyone objects to yet another whacky proposal they try to shove in the general,publics face as being completely normal in their narrow view? What made this country what it was before the regime took over was the exchange of ideas, the realization that people would disagree, and so we had elections to see which opinion the general public favored. That was a good thing, Steve,but fear not. Liberals rule the roost now, so you should not ever have to bother witn ridiculous general public attitudes ever again, the regime will simply file suit against the populace. Happens all the time lately, just ask Governor Brewer of Arizona. . You are indeed a bully: you got your gay marriage oassed, one way or another, so why are you continuing to malign a man elected to represent the views of his constituents for most likely acting as he was elected to do? Not everybody agrees witn gay marriage, Stevo, but you won. So zip it already. One more thing, you do owe Rep. Dwyer an apology.

Dena December 28, 2012 at 06:27 am

if anyone owes anyone an apology here, it's Dwyer to those children..... especially that little girl who is still suffering because of him. He's sooooooooo lucky none of them died. Only by a miracle. He is not taking responsibility for his actions by trying to make excuses and get out of this. he needs to step down and focus on getting his life together and an alcohol treatment program.