July 2009 DUI Report | Napa Valley Register

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July 2009 DUI Report

Monday, August 03, 2009

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By Register Online Staff

DUI coverage

November 26th, 2009

DUI arrest in North Napa

November 18th, 2009

Collision leads to DUI arrest

November 11th, 2009

DUI patrols out Saturday

November 6th, 2009

Accident spurs DUI arrest in American Canyon

November 3rd, 2009

October 2009 DUI Report

NEWThe Napa Valley Register and NapaValleyRegister.com publishes monthly statistics on arrests and convictions for driving under the influence — and so-called “wet reckless” convictions — in Napa County.

Arrest information is from the Napa County Sheriff’s Department. Convictions, names and blood-alcohol levels are from Napa County Superior Court.

Convictions include cases in which the person pleaded guilty or no contest to one or more drunk driving charges, or where one or more such charges resulted in a guilty verdict at trial.

Vehicle code violations considered are: driving under the influence (Vehicle Code section 23152), reckless driving while under the influence (23103.5) and causing injury to another while driving while under the influence (23153).

The blood-alcohol levels provided by the court are based on a variety of tests — some taken at the scene of the arrest or county jail, others through a later blood test — and have not necessarily been proven or admitted in court. It is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle if that person has a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more, according to the California Vehicle Code.

Names listed below are for convictions only.

Arrests: 111

Convictions/pleas: 101

Reported blood-alcohol below .10 or unavailable: 20

Reported blood-alcohol between .10 and .19: 61

Reported blood-alcohol between .20 and .29: 19

Reported blood-alcohol between .30 and .39: 1

Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.

97 comment(s)

News_Chick wrote on Aug 3, 2009 12:39 PM:

" Looks as though another Register reporter got popped for DUI. Will she be canned like tuna as well? "

amazed wrote on Aug 3, 2009 12:41 PM:

" Ouch, I see someone who just passed the bar. (An attorney, that is.) "

grits wrote on Aug 3, 2009 1:34 PM:

" If Marcia was canned, she should be as well. We'll be watching since NVR takes their responsibility so seriously..... "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Aug 3, 2009 1:46 PM:

" And why did the other reporter have to give up her job? There's been cops on this list, why can't a reporter be on it? "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 3, 2009 2:05 PM:

" I'm guesing that part of being a reporter is going out and reporting the stories; kind of difficult if you have to take the bus because you don't have a license. . . "

Grits wrote on Aug 3, 2009 2:38 PM:

" You know, I never did understand why a DUI cost Marsha her job..I know others who have been convicted for this offense, and thankfully, their employers were not so stupid...maybe we should start a "Bring Marsha Back" campaign? She was a good reporter. But to those on the NVR who terminated her... remember that what goes around comes around.... "

Bill Kisliuk wrote on Aug 3, 2009 3:03 PM:

" Register Editor Bill Kisliuk here. Louisa Hufstader left the staff of the Register several years ago. She has continued to submit stories as a freelance writer, but is not an employee of the company. Former Register reporter Marsha Dorgan wrote a letter to the editor about her experiences and why, in her own words, she is no longer with the paper. The Register has not and will not comment on personnel matters. We wish Louisa and Marsha all the best. "

Jane Eyrehead wrote on Aug 3, 2009 4:20 PM:

" I see some very intelligent people on this list. It just shows we all can make a mistake. DUI is a big mistake! Let's encourage our friends to accept responsibility for their actions and STAY SOBER. "

dtees wrote on Aug 3, 2009 7:06 PM:

" Ya Know, Bill Kisliuk? Those letters from Dorgan should have been published and if they were they should have been where most of us online readers could have seen it. I sure don't remember seeing anything from Mr. Dorgan. Give me the link & make your paper more accessible so we can find archived articles. One should be able to find anything that was the original paper online, don't ya t'ink? "

krusty wrote on Aug 3, 2009 9:03 PM:

" http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/06/13/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc4a330ec74d9f9017797721.txt

That took me about 10 seconds, dtees.

In the opinion piece, Ms. Dorgan submitted, she never said she was fired from her job because she was convicted of driving under the influence. Some of you are simply assuming that was the reason. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 4, 2009 1:30 AM:

" krusty, didn't she say that because of her DUI she lost a job she really loved, or something like that ?

dtees, the letter was printed and mentioned in the thread under the list during the month that the DUIs were printed every day.

It's remarkable how short the list is this month. Obviously, the NVR's list is really reducing DUIs.

Oops, I made a mistake. The list is actually longer.

Again.

That would mean the list does no good at all.

Still.

But it makes certain people with personality deficiencies very happy. And causes harm to innocent people.

So again, it does no good and is damaging. Who would be proud of that ?

The NVR. "

dtees wrote on Aug 4, 2009 6:12 AM:

" Thanks Krusty. The link you posted didn't work...and I meant to write "Ms." Dorgan. "

old_napan52 wrote on Aug 4, 2009 8:22 AM:

" Misdemeanor DUI's are one of the most lucrative ways cities and counties have to make money...stands to reason that eventually people of more than modest means would start appearing on the list. Don’t know if anyone has noticed, but traffic enforcement and ticket writing has more than doubled since the economy has tanked. Can anyone say budget crisis? "

native74 wrote on Aug 4, 2009 9:16 AM:

" Taxis have gone up too, but I'm still not going to take the risk of driving if I'm imbibing! - I still feel though for those who may have been 0.08 or less and were pulled over. 1 drink...just 1 drink, 1 pull over and your name plastered all over Napa. "

napadad wrote on Aug 4, 2009 10:24 AM:

" Old napan said "Don’t know if anyone has noticed, but traffic enforcement and ticket writing has more than doubled since the economy has tanked." Could you post a link to these statistics, I would love to see the exact breakdown of these facts. "

Hear Ye wrote on Aug 4, 2009 10:47 AM:

" The link works fine for me... "

Napan since 1965 wrote on Aug 4, 2009 11:26 AM:

" I commend the Register for publishing the DUI list, as well as reporting other types of arrests on a regular basis.

The fact that the "well-known" of Napa appear on the DUI lists only serves to prove that everyone who has been judged "guilty" of DUI (not just ticketed!) is being included in the published list! Fair and equal treatment—what’s wrong with that?

Also check the "Police & Fire" report on pg. A3 of today's paper. The charges include “suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment” (Calistoga), “suspicion of domestic violence and resisting a police officer” (Napa), “suspicion of domestic violence and possession of methamphetamine” (Napa), and a “vehicle code violation” which led to a charge of “DUI and possession of methamphetamine” (also in Napa).

None of these arrests were for a “minor” offense, and three of them involved “violence”—one for “assault with a deadly weapon, and two for “domestic violence.”

Frequently, the DUI lists include a significantly higher number of "hispanic" last names than "non-hispanic" last names, and of the four individuals who appeared in the “Police & Fire” report as having been arrested, three of four have "hispanic" last names.

Keep in mind that the “well-known” are not excluded from these statistics, so they are not “discriminatory”—they are simply “telling it like it is.” "

oldtownnapa wrote on Aug 4, 2009 11:59 AM:

" There has been an increase in saturation patrols which may help account in the higher DUI number this month. On 7/31 there was a DUI Saturation Patrol set in Napa. It was not noticed in the NVR but did appear in the Vallejo Herald: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_12960360?IADID.

There will be another saturation patrol this weekend- again within Napa City Limits. This upcoming patrol was announced in the St. Helena Star today but also does not appear in the Napa Register: http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2009/08/04/news/saturday_update/doc4a72052f2ea86636402806.txt

Is this intentional? "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 4, 2009 1:07 PM:

" Napan since 1965, did the same Police and Fire Report you enjoy reading on page A3 get printed EVERY day, or was that list printed just once ?

Do you see any mention of an activity that 1 out of every 5 drivers engages in that is JUST as impairing as drunk driving, such a cell phone violations ? Was it even printed once ? If the NVR was interested in making the roads safer, they would print that. They are not interested in making the roads safer. They are just interested in trying to humiliate the people on their DUI list every day for a whole month.

The list this month is longer than I can ever remember ( which is sad enough on it own ), so obviously the list is doing nothing to curtail drunk driving.

What do they call people who enjoy the misfortune of others ? There' a word for that, and I can't remember what to call those people. But they like the NVR's ineffectual list. That would be why the NVR keep printing it. How many NVR reader also read the National Enquirer ?

Of the two people last month who we convinced to cancel their NVR subscription, one has already done so. The other lady said she will after the Fair is over. Keep printing the list, NVR. I'll keep working on your subscribers. It's great conversation at parties. It's easy to make people laugh at the NVR when they do thing like this. "

justamazed wrote on Aug 4, 2009 1:26 PM:

" Napan since 1965 said, "Frequently, the DUI lists include a significantly higher number of "hispanic" last names than "non-hispanic" last names, and of the four individuals who appeared in the “Police & Fire” report as having been arrested, three of four have "hispanic" last names. " What point are you trying to make? Fairness to the "well known" or Racial Bias? "

old_napan52 wrote on Aug 4, 2009 1:48 PM:

" NapaDad…you have a keen eye sir…
“Political Economy at Any Speed: What Determines Traffic Citations?”
Michael Makowsky, Department of Economics, George Mason University
Thomas Stratmann, Department of Economics, George Mason University
A hypothesis I happen to support by the way…from what I am reading in the local paper it appears as though enforcement has stepped up dramatically in Napa. In my local area, I observed two CHP and several local police officers stopping a different vehicle every ten minutes for two hours in locations where I have not seen a patrol car in 10 years. Go figure. I asked one of the local officers why when I saw same at the local Starbucks and he said they had doubled their enforcement county wide…off the record of course. I thanked him and bought him a latte and headed in the opposite direction. "

Jane Eyrehead wrote on Aug 4, 2009 2:14 PM:

" Reason-ator--The word for which you search is Schadenfreude, or "pleasure in the unhappiness of others."

Since the Register has published the DUI list, I have seen the names of several people I know there. It's so sad. However--even though I feel terrible for their humiliation, I would feel a whole lot worse if they had died in accidents, or been responsible for the deaths of others.

Have you ever been hit by an impaired party animal who thought he could drive? I have. Frankly, I am sick of the immature attitude I see in some of the posts--that the public shame doesn't work so it should be scrapped, that law enforcement only is in it for the money, that cell-phone use is more dangerous, that it's all the illegal immigrants' fault.

If the fear of public embarrassment keeps one person from having that last drink before s/he goes home, that's fine with me.

Finally--this is what you talk about at parties? Dear me. "

krusty wrote on Aug 4, 2009 2:25 PM:

" The link didn't work for me either now that I tried it, dtees. Not sure why it worked for others. Anyways, to find it I just did an advanced search for the name Marsha Dorgan and went back a couple months.

Reason-ator, you're right about what Ms. Dorgan said, but that doesn't mean she was fired by the NVR simply for a DUI. She may have been fired due to some of the consequences of her DUI but I doubt she was fired just because she was convicted of a DUI and her name appeared on the Register's list. Some of the earlier comments imply that a person who works for the NVR and has their name appear on this list is as good as fired. I don't think that is or would be the case. "

Two Cents wrote on Aug 4, 2009 4:05 PM:

" Since other posters comments are getting through in regards to speculation on Dorgan's being fired.. I'll make attempt #4, totally reworded..

Nothing to do specifically with Marsha's case... not saying her termination had anything to do with the DUI, totally hypothetically speaking....

Can a person (of any job type) legally be fired from a job for getting a DUI, whether misdemeanor or felony?

Obviously if you have a job that requires you to drive for your company, and you get a DUI and lose your license, I can see where the job requirements can no longer be met, therefore resulting in termination..

But can employers fire you solely on the basis of receiving a DUI?

Are there any attorneys out there who can tell me the answer? "

cab e-girl wrote on Aug 4, 2009 9:05 PM:

" Wow 111 convictions in July. 81 in June.......mmmm, better call a cab if you choose to enjoy fruit from the vine. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 4, 2009 9:23 PM:

" Jane, I have had friends killed by drunk drivers. Recently, my friend's young son was killed by a sober driver reaching for her cell-phone.

DUI has become something that the public has turned against. However, driving while talking on a cell-phone is still kool. People laugh when they admit that they do it because it's so kool. It's so kool that one out of every five drivers is doing it. And studies have shown that it's JUST as impairing as driving while drunk.

You said "If the fear of public embarrassment keeps one person from having that last drink before s/he goes home, that's fine with me." Does that logic include cell-phone drivers, or is that hitting too close to home ?

What kind of drunk person will ignore the risk of killing themselves or others, will ignore the huge penalties of a DUI conviction, but be sober enough to think about a list in the NVR ? Talk about an unrealistic expectation.
I KNOW the NVR employees talk on their telephones while driving with one hand, because I've seen them do it. I'm just pointing out how hypocritical the NVR is. They pretend they want to make the roads safer, but they don't. And their shame list isn't making things any better, is it ?

And dear you, actually you should have been at the party when we were bashing the NVR. People came into the kitchen wondering what we were all laughing so hard about. It started when I was trying to keep my buddy's friend from driving after he'd had what I thought was too much to drink. He declared he wanted to get his name in the paper after we laughed at the NVR. But he didn't. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 5, 2009 9:04 AM:

" Maybe the size of the list keeps increasing because the population keeps increasing . . . stop breeding, people!! "

why wrote on Aug 5, 2009 10:03 AM:

" I would bet that most of the people on the list do their fews days in jail and then never pay the fines and just continue to drive on suspended licences of coarse with out insurance.

Are there any police or insurance agents out there that can confirm this. It is just a hunch.

I "

onethought wrote on Aug 5, 2009 11:15 AM:

" If you have enough money to drink at bar or when your out to dinner you can afford to take a cab. If your at a friends stay or don't drink. There is no reason for people to be getting dui's. Maybe having your name on the list won't stop some people but it sure makes others think before they start their evening. thats what it's about. Not waiting until you've already had to much to drink. And yes the list does stop people from drinking and driving. If you don't want your name on the list don't drink and drive-simple- "

Jane Eyrehead wrote on Aug 5, 2009 11:35 AM:

" reason-ator--I am sory for your losses, and I of course cellphone use while driving is terrible. As for what kind of drunk person will ignore all the risks and drunk drive anyway--well, a raging alcoholic, that's who. I think the weekend bon vivant might be stopped by the public shame--not to mention the expense. I still think there are more of them than there are hard-core drunks--I hope so, anyway.

I think it's pretty odd that you use the Register's tech capabilities to vent, and yet encourage people to cancel their subscriptions to the same paper. "

Napagrrl wrote on Aug 5, 2009 12:42 PM:

" Reason-ator says, "I KNOW the NVR employees talk on their telephones while driving with one hand...I'm... pointing out how hypocritical the NVR is. They pretend they want to make the roads safer..."

Okay, these are REPORTERS (or other NVR employees). Their jobs are to report. And just because they report something does not mean they agree or disagree with it. Then s/he says about the Register, "...pretending to care about making roads safer but they don't"? What does this mean? I would imagine that NVR employees are like the rest of us; they care a lot about some things and couldn't care less about others. They break some laws and don't break others. To state that a newspaper is hypocritical based on what is reported within it and the actions of its employees is just weird! "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 5, 2009 1:45 PM:

" Someone has a chip on their shoulder – and there’s no ‘reason’ing with them. It comes up article after article after article . . . "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 5, 2009 5:40 PM:

" sprklsunshine, I admit I have a problem with stupidity and meanness.

It is frustrating to hear from people who say that they ENJOY seeing that somebody they know has gotten a DUI. It is sad to think that people enjoy other's misery, but that is the kind of people that enjoy this "feature".

But the list keeps getting longer, so the NVR isn't doing any good. If they wanted to make the roads safer, they'd also print the names of people that get cell-phone tickets in cars. But they don't. Driving while impaired by a cell-phone is something that NVR employees do. So that makes it OK. I call that hypocritical.

But please notice that I am not the one who starts the comments. I just try to get people to see how mean-spirited it is for the NVR to kick people down. It is sad that people enjoy being mean to people. That's what bullies do.

Kicking somebody when they're down for no good reason is shameful. I can't support that. If you can, well, I don't know what to say about that..... "

SouthNapa wrote on Aug 5, 2009 6:09 PM:

" Kudos to the NVR for continuing to publish this list. If it shames only person into never drinking and driving again, it's worth it, no matter what one person on a crusade seems to think! "

wipemedown wrote on Aug 6, 2009 9:39 AM:

" "Oh look at what so and so did.......how horrible!"

We all like to point out the faults of everyone else and think about how we are so much better than someone, when the truth of it is no one is any good at all.

kUDOS for this list?.......Pish Posh!

Small town yellow journalism.

What was the last astonishing news story in the

N o
V alue
R emaining

Maybe it was the high five article to the napa private investigator who makes youtube videos about traffic???

By now we must know the formula.
Police Blotter - cut n paste
DUI list - cut n paste
fire - front page
accident - front page
domestic violence - front page

I don't know?

All know is i'm on the complete other side of the coin when it comes to Kudos "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 6, 2009 10:39 AM:

" Aw, shux, SouthNapa, I know you're only saying that because you like me so much. I'm flattered.

But really, it's ridiculous to think that someone wouldn't think about killing themselves or others, the tens of thousands of dollars a DUI would cost, the inconveniences, but would still be vain enough to be more concerned that a few people would read their name in the paper and THEN call a cab. WHO would be THAT vain ?

Heck, someone would have to be pretty vain just to think someone ELSE could be that vain.

I'm not on a crusade. If I was on a crusade I'd publish a futile list every day. I'm just pointing out the facts. NVR is the one on a crusade.

The NVR isn't trying to make the roads safer. They could, but that's too much work.

Meanwhile, innocent people are suffering. And the DUI list gets longer. I'm glad that the drunks are getting arrested before they are killing people. But if you think the NVR's list is doing any good to make the list shorter, you're smoking what the tooth fairy smokes.

But you're right. It frustrates me that people can be so naivingly oblivious. "

Napa_Citizen wrote on Aug 7, 2009 8:39 AM:

" Why wouldnt the NV Register keep this section? Month after month it gets read and commented on the most! < grin >

As always, glad you print this section...

Thank you! "

Napa_Citizen wrote on Aug 7, 2009 8:45 AM:

" I was pregnant and got rear ended by an illegal immigrant & drunk driver who also hit and ran. Thank God a good samaritan followed him into the alphabet streets and caught the guy.

Did you know your uninsured motorist coverage is only good if they STAY on the scene???? : - O Tis true... Thank goodness most drunks dont have the soberness to run! (they obviously cant drive well)

I have no empathy for drinking and driving. NONE Its not an accident when you put the liquor to the mouth and then get in a vehicle. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 7, 2009 8:55 AM:

" I think the list keeps getting longer because our population keeps growing. "

funnyme wrote on Aug 7, 2009 12:51 PM:

" Either that or the court system is getting more efficient that is able to prosecute MORE in less time...or both!

Napa_Citizen,
So well said!

btw, I do buy the print version of the NVR (you know, "the paper") and will keep on buying it! "

SouthNapa wrote on Aug 7, 2009 5:36 PM:

" Despite the agenda of a vocal minority, the NVR is doing the right thing by publishing this list. Like I said earlier in the thread, if this list prevents one person from drinking and driving ever again, then it is worth it! "

napkan wrote on Aug 7, 2009 9:05 PM:

" Goodness me! I see some names I recognize as well.

But that doesn't change my mind about seeing their names on this list. If you choose to drink and drive, then you gets what you gets...arrested if we are lucky because that gets you off the road.

Having been the victim of a drunk driver I can tell you on that day my life changed forever. I suffered multiple injuries serious enough to require multiple surgeries over many years.

So person that I know on this list, you're on MY list now...you're going to get a talking to and you're going to take a "tour" of my scars and look at my xrays to see what hardware "gifts" that drunk driver left for me..

There are some things to speak up about when it comes to human rights and grace of spirit. This is NOT one of them. What bloggers should be acknowledging is that any one of these people could have killed on the day they were arrested. They have no defense. "

Froggie1559 wrote on Aug 8, 2009 3:55 PM:

" After recently learning the consequences, second-hand, of drinking & driving, including have one's name printed in the paper, I personally will never choose to drink & drive. But that is my CHOICE, and everyone makes that choice and other choices everyday. All our choices effect others, one way or another. Everything we do matters even if you don't realize it at the time. Shalom... "

Raven wrote on Aug 8, 2009 10:37 PM:

" Can a person (of any job type) legally be fired from a job for getting a DUI, whether misdemeanor or felony?

as I recall, California is an 'at will' state, so unless you have a contract or are covered by a union bargaining agreement, you can be fired for any reason. "

Paddy wrote on Aug 9, 2009 10:05 AM:

" Why do the vast majority on this list represent a current minority in this town? Is anyone out there helping these people, other than the cops?

The stories behind these arrests are probably far more interesting than just a list of names. How many vehicles are confiscated? How many arrests for things other than DUI? Any deportations? Let's hear more of the story. "

misfit wrote on Aug 9, 2009 12:03 PM:

" I doubt the list grew from June because of the population growing. Anyone born in June wasn't suddenly drinking age by July??? What kind of logic is that? People are out in summer. They come up here on the weekend, do some wine tasting, out to lunch, out to dinner...it's tourist season! I drink more this time of year as well. On weekends it could be cold beer with lunch or a glass of wine with dinner... that's it. Multiply that if one is a drinker. The reason for the up-tick in DUIs is simple. It's summer! "

Napan since 1965 wrote on Aug 9, 2009 12:31 PM:

" RIGHT ON, PADDY!!

I would also like to see more details, and your list looks like a good place to start!! "

napapeace wrote on Aug 9, 2009 2:44 PM:

" Keep up the good work NVR! I have been a subscriber for years and appreciate the posting of the DUI list. I have many friends/acquaintances who are too lazy/cheap to get a cab and must feel it is their right to murder innocent civilians after drinking. For those who don't like it: don't drink or get a cab. Nobody wants to hear your hopeless rants. "

napavalleygirlie wrote on Aug 10, 2009 1:38 PM:

" I've never seen a cop listed on this, when did this happen? My exhusband was involved in some controversial issues as being a police officer and it was never reported. I'm sick of the register and law enforcement keeping us in the dark of offenses by law enforcement. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:02 PM:

" Well I think the thing to do would be to compare the cities of those convicted, that would give you the tourist ratio in July, to say, a month like January. Another comparison could be the ethnicity of the names convicted. I think more people are crossing the border, as opposed to being born in June and then drinking in July. But I don’t have that kind of time on my hands; maybe someone else here does? "

old_napan52 wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:53 PM:

" napavalleygirlie - law enforcement in the state of California is well protected by a very strong and organized union. They have a lot of resources available to them that the average person does not. Here is the outcome of 4 police officers on trial in Oakland accused of violating several citizens constitutional rights with a fellow police officer as the prosecutors star witness against them. story link "

chunk wrote on Aug 10, 2009 3:07 PM:

" Say it aint so Off the Wall. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 11, 2009 12:55 PM:

" Of COURSE the type of person that comes into here to read this article is going to be in favor of it.

Just like a National Enquirer reader would be in favor of paparazzi taking pictures through a celebrity's bedroom window.

The person who DOESN'T read this wonderful feature isn't going to be here to comment on it, is he ?

Now that people don't hang their clothes out on a clothesline to dry, snoopy people need stuff like this to see if someone's underwear is clean and new.

I shake my head when I realize how many weird people read the NVR with a pre-occupation with OTHER people's lives. It's kinda creepy, and it's even worse that they aren't ashamed to admit it. Many people only claim they like this list because it shames people. Never mentioning any hypothetical redeeming virtue. They just enjoy anything that makes them feel superior to others. I wish I could remember what psycholgists call people like that.

But it's the NVR's small-town market. They really need a good gossip columnist, too. Then they could be just like that well-known and respected newspaper like the, ....uhh, .....err.....hang on, it'll come to me.......there has to be a real newspaper that does this....... "

old_napan52 wrote on Aug 11, 2009 2:47 PM:

" I guess my link in my previous post didn't make it through. Click and paste this URL...http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/10/01/MN20967.DTL
for the story. Michael Raines (Former BART Officer Mehserle's attorney) was one of the main defense attorneys in this case. "

SouthNapa wrote on Aug 11, 2009 5:07 PM:

" Wow, the hypocrisy of some critics of this list is amazing. I will never understand why anybody thinks publishing this list is a bad idea.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If one person decides to never drive drunk because they were publicly embarrassed by this list, then it is worth it.

Good job NVR! "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 11, 2009 9:40 PM:

" Well, I see some of the harshest critics of the critics on this list got their name on the DUI list.

Would that be hypocritical ? "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 12, 2009 9:31 AM:

" The one-man campaign to stop the list; give it up.

I, for one, would die of humiliation if my name was on this list, so I will not drink and drive; mission accomplished, NVR. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 12, 2009 3:22 PM:

" It appears the NVR has lost the confidence to print my facts to debate the fantasies. They haven't printed my last few rebuttals. They want to spare the feelings of their dreamers.

So Edith and Ethel can gossip gleefully instead of having me debunk their dreams.

I guess I just figured the NVR was more credible than they are being now.

That's OK, it just reaffirms what I was thinking, so I can't say I was wrong. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 12, 2009 3:27 PM:

" sprklsunshine, please show some compassion for the innocent victims in the family of the man that reportedly DID decide to die of embarrassment. Someone's suicide isn't something you should be making fun of.

So what kind of person would ignore the fact that they could kill or maim themselves or others but instead be worried about being embarrassed by a newspaper feature ? "

checkyourself wrote on Aug 12, 2009 7:00 PM:

" Hmm... Mid-August and now I have been on the list for a month and a half. Fair?

As far as my "interesting" story, I went out for dinner, had two glasses of wine, got pulled over for a rear light out, and got a DUI. Fascinating. I'm sure all of you haters who write into this nonsense have never been out for a wine dinner in NAPA. "

SouthNapa wrote on Aug 12, 2009 9:28 PM:

" If you've had two drinks, you shouldn't be driving. I have zero sympathy for people who get behind the wheel after they have been drinking. There are cabs more than willing to take you home after a night out. "

sprklsunshine wrote on Aug 13, 2009 9:20 AM:

" Wow, the spin some people can put on an old time phrase like ‘die of embarrassment.’ How did that turn into me having no compassion for the families of someone who committee suicide??????

And I guess since some people go on and on and on about how terrible it is when their name is in this column, even if it isn’t them, but someone with the same name, proves my point. "

twocentsworth wrote on Aug 13, 2009 10:09 PM:

" Reason-ator: By your many comments, you seem to have developed quite a negative outlook. If life gave you lemons, I bet you couldn't make lemonade! It seems to me that you have belabored your point. Enough! I think every coherent person who reads your blogs gets your point. There is an alternative--DON'T READ THE DUI's WHEN THEY ARE POSTED. Remove yourself from the equation. Worry about changing what you can. The NVR is not going to quit publishing the DUI list--if it offends you so much, force yourself to stop reading it. Just like the people you accuse of reading the list only for their perverse pleasure, you seem to be right up there with them, being one of the first every month to post you negative comments. Get over it already and move on to something more positive in your life. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 14, 2009 1:40 AM:

" My feelings are hurt. You guys know me just too well, I'm losing sleep over it.

Actually, the people who are in favor of this wonderful DUI list and act as if they know what I'm like are so wrong about me that it convinces me even more how wrong they are about the DUI list.

If you wanted to be credible, try not to be so wrong about me and I might consider that you're not also wrong about the DUI feature.

Believe it or not, I'm actually a nice guy and am considered intelligent by anyone who knows me. It's partially BECAUSE I'm a nice guy that I feel bad for the people who the NVR seems to delight in bullying. It's odd, in Elementary Schools all over the valley, there are signs teaching CHILDREN not to bully, and yet there are adults in the NVR community who seem to thrive on bullying people when they are down. I find it kinda sad, even if the people being bullied have made mistakes. It's almost as if the bullies haven't grown up, and it's a sad statement about themselves.

Although I do derive a little pleasure seeing how bothered some people get by what I say- it's almost as if the truth may hurt. If not, I appreciate the motivation anyway.

I know that this DUI list has cost the NVR money, which is satisfying. And I know it's cost them credibility, which they seem to be proud of.

And you are absolutely right- there is an alternative- if you don't want to read- don't read.

If you don't want me to differ with you, don't differ with me.

It really isn't that hard to figure out, is it ? "

twocentsworth wrote on Aug 14, 2009 3:52 PM:

" I never stated that I was either for or against the DUI list - only that if it offends you so much, to stop reading it. You can pretty much rest assured that the NVR is not going to stop printing it, so you might just as well get over it. Move on to doing something more positive with your time, rather than continuing to post endlessly negative comments simply because you are unable to remove that rather large chip off your shoulder. "

Froggie1559 wrote on Aug 15, 2009 4:26 PM:

" Now now people, let's be nice. Everyone's entittled to their own opinions. Appreciate that fact and get on with something else. "

pinkflame wrote on Aug 15, 2009 6:24 PM:

" If u can afford to drink, set aside $20 for a cab "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 15, 2009 11:16 PM:

" twocentsworth, I'm sorry I made an assumption about you that may have been wrong. That's unkool, and I apologize.

If you go back ( and no, it's not worth it ), you'll see that I don't read the list. I just respond to comments. I lay out the facts, and people very seldom can disagree with the facts that I present. Most of what they say is personal comments directed at me. So I defend myself. The one fact that I present that IS arguable is whether the list would prevent someone who is drunk from driving. People seem to believe that a drunk will ignore fines and death but won't drive because of an obscure list in a small-town paper. That is the only fact that is debatable, and yet people respond to me with hate and angry attacks and I try to defend myself.

I suppose there are people who wouldn't defend themselves, but I have a problem with hate and meanness, along with stupid logic. I suppose that's a shortcoming of mine.

I learned something very interesting last night. I myself would not benefit under the circumstances of what happened to me, even though I have not had a DUI. But there is a possible legal avenue that one of the NVR's victims could pursue that I'm guessing the NVR is unaware of, because it's not obvious. I'll let them figure it out themselves. I doubt we'll hear about it in THIS paper though.

But please, people, it's smarter to just not drink and drive. Don't drive impaired, and share the road politely with everyone.

Hate and animosity is not a good thing. "

kittens wrote on Aug 16, 2009 12:42 PM:

" Hello everyone, I am/was/going to be on the DUI list, so obviously I am against its posting. I am terribly embarrassed. I am guilty. And I feel awful about my mistake. My DUI has changed my life. It's actually forced me to grow up and accept life's responsibilties and I will never make that mistake again.

Back to my point, The list had been the least of my worries compared to everything horrific that comes along with a misdemeanor DUI, especially with my particular demographics compared to the avg. DUI convict. I didn't need a list to be posted 5 months after the fact, esp. when everyone I know, knew within a week of my mistake. Anyways, I signed up for the Napa DUI program as a part of my sentencing. We are given rules and must attend or we are dismissed. And If we are dismissed, we violate our probation and we are thrown into jail. One rule that we cannot break, is discussing who we see at the class. In fact, we signed a whole document of confidentiality. The instructor said it was to protect identities from bosses, co-workers, friends, etc. If 95% of the ppl on the list, take the Napa DUI class, I don't understand why we can't tell everyone who's in the class? Why do I have to go to Jail for stating something that's posted in the paper? "

funnyme wrote on Aug 16, 2009 9:54 PM:

" kittens,
Thanks for sharing that with the rest of us...WOW!...My guess is it has to do with the 'instructor's liability', however, when your name appears in the DUI list, the ones you know (and already know of your ONE TIME 'mistake) won't be surprised to see your name all over, but those who you do not know, you are just "one more" drunk who made a bad choice and luckily just ended in a DUI and a name on the NVR DUI list...you ought to be grateful you didn't kill anyone. Consider yourself one lucky kid! "

jmo wrote on Aug 17, 2009 10:58 PM:

" Sorry to hear about your situation checkyourself. However, I question 2 drinks got you a DUI. Do you hit the scales at 95 lbs or were they doubles? Just wondering??? does not seem pausible...check out the DMV scale that comes with your cars tags... "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 19, 2009 12:39 AM:

" checkyourself and kittens, I'm sorry for the difficulty you've experienced. I'll spare you the condescending lecture that I'm sure you'll get from others. Be assured that I won't read your name on the List for Shame.

Sadly, you ran across one of the one of the most difficult areas of the the DUI issue to deal with. While it's easy to say that anybody who has one sip or taste of wine should not drive in a valley that begs people to come and sample wines at dozens and dozens of establishments competing for your taste buds, the sad fact is that there is no indicator or red light that starts flashing when you reach the legal limit. This is made worse by the since-proven-inaccurate breathalyzers that have put people in jail and also by the zeal that causes people to be jailed even IF they test below 0.08.

That's one of my biggest problems with the List for Shame. People on a cell-phone know FOR SURE, without a doubt, that they are breaking the law and impairing their driving. But the NVR gives them a free pass and instead goes after people who may have thought that they weren't breaking the law.

Yes, I know what all my loving fans are going to say. I believe I've already addressed that degree of reality. But how crazy is it that we have a whole category of tourism that invites people to drink and doesn't provide an alternative transportation other than driving, and yet our DUI checkpoints are aimed at capturing locals ? Drivers who may believe that they're under the legal limit. All the while, we're encouraging tourists to drive to wineries and drink and letting obvious law-breakers off-the-hook. "

winewoman wrote on Aug 19, 2009 4:42 PM:

" I agree - 100% - with Reason-ator. The DUI list is stupid. It's sole purpose to stimulate gossip and commentary. One doesn't need to blow the legal limit on the breathalizer to be arrested and convicted of a DUI. Two glass of wine - or even one - will do it if the cops feel that you are "impaired". This in a town whose industry is wine. But, the majority offenders are locals and the majority ethnicity mentioned by another commenter. I would expect the DUI list to increase during late summer/fall not as a result of increased tourism (again, majority are locals), but instead the onset of harvest. Want to reduce the number of DUIs? Start with education and offer alternatives to the workers in the vineyards. "

winewoman wrote on Aug 19, 2009 5:13 PM:

" I agree - 100% - with Reason-ator. The DUI list is stupid. It's sole purpose to stimulate gossip and commentary. One doesn't need to blow the legal limit on the breathalizer to be arrested and convicted of a DUI. Two glass of wine - or even one - will do it if the cops feel that you are "impaired". This in a town whose industry is wine. But, the majority offenders are locals and also another similarity that I can't say because I've been censored 4 times. I would expect the DUI list to increase during late summer/fall not as a result of increased tourism (again, majority are locals), but instead the onset of harvest. Want to reduce the number of DUIs? Start with education and offer alternatives to the workers in the vineyards. "

John Richards wrote on Aug 22, 2009 12:31 PM:

" SouthNapa wrote: " If one person decides to never drive drunk because they were publicly embarrassed by this list, then it is worth it."

So why not extend that logic to cellphone violators? Studies show that talking on a phone while driving is equivalent to driving with a .08 BAC, the same as the trigger limit for DUI.

I've never been arrested for DUI, but a close family member has. Believe me, the other troubles associated with a DUI conviction far outweigh having your name published on a list in the NVR. If you think that is being done as a public service, you don't understand the publishing business. "

napkan wrote on Aug 23, 2009 11:51 AM:

" I am a seriously-injured victim of a drunk driver. That impaired driver changed my life forever - in ways most of you, thankfully, will never have to suffer.

What all of you have missed is that impaired is impaired - any one of those people on that list could have killed or injured one or many people!

If that published list changes but one driver's mind about driving while under the influence, then there's one less person like me who has endured much needless suffering!

So remember why these people are on this list. They kill, they maim. If they didn't this time, they could the next. "

John Richards wrote on Aug 23, 2009 10:42 PM:

" napkan, I am sorry you got injured by a drunk driver, but I can't buy your argument. You are basically saying that the end justifies the means. Let's make convicted pedophiles wear a scarlet dunce hat. That ought to shame them into behaving better! "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 24, 2009 10:04 AM:

" napkan, I am SO sorry for your pain and difficulty. I've been hit ( but uninjured ) by someone I suspected had been drinking, and I've lost a couple of friends because of drunk drivers. My friend's son was also killed by a girl looking for her cell-phone.

Should I go downtown tonight and slash the tires of all the cars I see ? Sure, innocent people may be inconvenienced, but if it'll keep ONE driver from killing someone, it'll be worth it, right ?

Impaired IS impaired. Someone impaired enough to disregard the chances of killing or maiming themselves or others an/or costing themselves ten$ of thousand$ of dollar$ is going to be too impaired to think of a newspaper mention.

I'm sorry. I'm NOT making light of your situation. But your logic is faulty and inspired by anger. I can't exactly blame you, either. But there's no reason to punish innocent people for the stupid and neglectful acts of others. "

malo wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:55 AM:

" Good point John Richards,

I believe this list should be replaced by a sex offender list and update on a monthly basis. As with all sex offender lists should include address information. This would be MORE useful than a DUI list.

...or if NVR wants both? "

malo wrote on Aug 27, 2009 10:56 AM:

" Oh,

With that sex offender list, use the mapping feature to pinpoint the offenders. "

pharper wrote on Aug 27, 2009 9:04 PM:

" What would be the point of a sex offender list?

We already have one in Megan's Law, so I don't understand what the point would be. So that people can do things to the offenders? So that they know where they live and can bother them in some way? Sure, most sex offenders are what I'd refer to as scum of the earth, but I think a list of them printed monthly would do more harm than good. Are you going to move if you find out one lives within a certain radius from you? Are you going to force them to move? It just seems useless to me. "

LocalNapa wrote on Aug 29, 2009 4:11 PM:

" Good luck trying to move if you live next to a sex offender. Their presence in your neighborhood can cause property values to drop as much as 30%. More than likely though, buyers would just opt for another location than to knowingly move near a registered offender. The Megan's Law site is cumbersome to use, especially the mapping feature. I would have no objection to the NVR providing and maintaining a list of offenders. Napa seems to have an overwhelming number of registered offenders. "

cutiepie wrote on Aug 31, 2009 12:35 PM:

" Everyone who drinks and then drives should be taken off the road. We all make mistakes, but this mistake could take the lives of many people. Their names should be listed in the Register. It will encourage them to get help with their drinking problem. We have a relative that had 12 DUI'S several years ago before they finally sent him to prision. It didn't work-After release he had another DUI and went back to prison. Luckly no one was hurt and he doesn't drink while driving. Had way to learn a lesson. "

realitybites wrote on Aug 31, 2009 1:10 PM:

" Let's all try to remember that a DUI is a VICTIM LESS CRIME, when there is no accident involved. Should we post the names of all those who were convicted of speeding? How many haters who posted comments can honestly say they never talked on a cell phone while driving? Should we take the blood of each individual and every person who is pulled over for anything? How else could you tell if someone was on perscription medications? Severely punish those who actually inflict injury on others. Publishing names in the paper is just flat out wrong. "

John Richards wrote on Aug 31, 2009 7:30 PM:

" cutiepie wrote: " Everyone who drinks and then drives should be taken off the road. "

Then how do you feel about:

Everyone who uses a cell phone while driving should be taken off the road.

Scientific tests show it causes the same amount of driver impairment as DUI.

Publishing names in the paper does nothing useful. It simply caters to sensationalism. "

SouthNapa wrote on Sep 1, 2009 6:46 PM:

" Where is the August 2009 DUI report? I've got the popcorn ready! "

NUHS67 wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:47 AM:

" Keep publishing the list. Laws are needed to crush the offenders cars, put them in jail for every offense. Keep an online list of these potential killers just like sex offenders. Maybe then the list will begin to shorten. "

onethought wrote on Sep 2, 2009 1:35 PM:

" You should not be using your cell phone while driving. But lets say you were, you could hang up, put it down and be safe.You should not be driving drunk. But lets say you were, you can't stop being drunk. Thats the difference between the two. NVR could publish lists of every traffic violator and people would read them all. The one that carries the most embarrassment would be the DUI list. Because lets face it its not really about being an invasion of some sort, its about embarrassing people. If you don't want to be embarrassed or risk killing yourself or others don't drink and drive. I also don't believe when most people say they "had a couple of drinks or gasses of wine with dinner". If you read the blood alcohol levels of the arrests(conv) it shows thats not true. Obey the law and stay off the list. "

realitybites wrote on Sep 2, 2009 2:01 PM:

" The crime is commited as soon as your on the phone driving - period. It doesn't matter if you "put it down". Speeding, cell phone use, texting, running stop signs or traffic lights, and failing to use your turn signal are just as dangerous and result in just as many accidents as a DUI. As for the embarrasment issue, is it right that people loose their livelihood because of the scartlet letter press? Businesses loose revenue when the proprietor or employee appears on the list, even if the individual has the same name as someone else who actually received the conviction. Is this about rehabilitation or vengence? Should the name of every speeder, cell phone driver, stop sign runner, etc be printed in the paper? Did anyone on the list kill someone? That would be news. "

jmo wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:28 AM:

" OK! So where is the August report. It is already the 3rd and we need to start the "same oh, same oh" all over again. "

funnyme wrote on Sep 3, 2009 1:33 PM:

" Hey you 'anti-NVR-DUI-monthly report-ers',

Has it occurred to you that perhaps the NVR finally listened to you all, and decided NOT to publish it anymore?

Looks like you're winning this battle. Congratulations! "

Froggie1559 wrote on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 PM:

" Nah, it just takes them a few days. Give 'em a chance, guys. You won't be disappointed. "

Hear Ye wrote on Sep 4, 2009 1:04 AM:

" I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the new list comes out the first Monday of every month so it will be out on Monday. "

Paddy wrote on Sep 4, 2009 9:22 AM:

" This went from DUI list to proposal for sexual predator list... pretty wild.

It's appropriate if the August list comes out on Labor Day. It will give 'reason-ator' something to labor over.

NVR - maybe a seperate DUI tab to list the 2400 wanted by the police for not showing for DUI hearings. Include this monthly list there. If you remove it from the main page maybe it won't offend those who object to the list of those decide to drink and drive.

I've become much more aware of those around me since you've started publishing this. That's the point of this list I believe. For those comparing it to using a cell phone, give me a break. how weak. "

realitybites wrote on Sep 4, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Sorry to burst your bubble, but cell phone use causes more accidents than DUI's - it's a fact. What seems "weak" to me the mass obsession with the plight of someone who commits a misdemeanor, victim less crime. Why that would make someone "more aware" is beyond me. Perhaps you might want to hang up and drive. "

SouthNapa wrote on Sep 4, 2009 3:39 PM:

" There is a huge difference between cell phone use and drunk driving. When somebody is finished using their cell phone, they are no longer impaired. Drunk drivers don't have that luxury for several hours at time. When somebody gets into a car and drives drunk, chances are great that they will still be drunk when they (if they are lucky) reach their destination.

Keep up the good work NVR, despite the wishes of a vocal minority. "

Paddy wrote on Sep 4, 2009 4:33 PM:

" realitybites (it sure does, doesn't it?) SouthNapa is correct. DUI is impaired from the time you decide to get in the car all the way to whenever the trip might end while cell phone use is probably a fraction of a person's trip.

Don't get me wrong, talking on a cell is unsafe and unwise as well but when push comes to shove a person can throw the phone on the seat and be back in control. The same can't be said of someone driving under the influence.... "

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