Government
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
San Antonio City Council unanimously passed a resolution Jan. 14, reprimanding District 10 council member Marc Whyte after his arrest for driving while intoxicated. Whyte was charged with DWI following a tra c stop Dec. 29, per police reports. Following his release from jail, Whyte publicly apologized and expressed regret for his actions. In the resolution, council recognized Whyte’s apology and “ nds it necessary to censure council member Whyte because his behavior of drinking and driving is not acceptable and should not be tolerated,” the resolution stated. The resolution also stated San Antonio has the highest per-capita rate of drunk-driving crashes among large Texas cities, and that Whyte jeopardized the public and a ected council’s functionality. Whyte censured after DWI arrest
What they’re saying
The background
Twice in 14 months, two District 10 council members have been rebuked after DWI arrests.
“Council Member Whyte, you now know what it feels like to be criminalized for something you’ve done
June 2017: Clayton Perry elected to council
that you now regret.” JALEN MCKEE RODRIGUEZ, SAN ANTONIO DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Nov. 6, 2022: Perry in vehicular hit-and-run
Nov. 14, 2022: Council censures Perry
Dec 28, 2022: Perry charged with DWI
Feb. 16, 2023: Perry opts not to run for 4th term re-election
"Nobody on this dais is eager to discipline a colleague, but we are linked as City Council members, and it’s our duty to protect that reputation." RON NIRENBERG, SAN ANTONIO MAYOR
May 2023: Marc Whyte elected to council
Dec. 29, 2023: Whyte charged with DWI
Jan. 14, 2024: Council censures Whyte
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY IMPACT
The bottom line
Mayor Ron Nirenberg did not say when Whyte could return to three council committees— audit, economic and workforce development, and public safety—from which Whyte was removed after his arrest. Whyte’s court arraignment is set for Jan. 30, according to court records. DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
Whyte was asked to recuse himself from the council vote on the resolution, but he addressed meeting attendees, apologizing to colleagues, friends, family and supporters for his behavior. “Anybody that has had even one drink should not get behind the wheel of a car, in my opinion, and I take full responsibility for my decision to drive that night,” Whyte said. “I’ve learned a lot in the last two weeks.”
Marc Whyte, District 10 City Council member, apologizes Jan. 14 to the public and his colleagues.
COURTESY CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
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