Dear John, welcome to the system:

First of all I want to make this perfectly clear that this letter I am writing is not an attempt to portray law enforcement agencies who are at work here in Pacific County in a negative manner. They have a job to do, and for the most part and given the limited resources they have available to them, they do a very good job. I too work for a government agency in the public’s employ and know what they are up against most of the time. It can be and is at times a thankless job.

In response to John Nechvatal’s letter in the July 27 edition: He has my sympathies. If everything he says in his letter is true, then perhaps he needs to hire an attorney (more money) and play the game. He may have a legitimate defense he can use in court and possibly get his citation dismissed by a sympathetic judge, or get the case significantly reduced to a point where the DUI is totally removed from his record after a period of time. Good luck, John.

But still John, you have to play the game.

Now some advise to you. I don’t know you or how long you’ve been around these parts, but this is free of charge.

Don’t believe everything you have read or hear through casual conversation about imbibing in alcoholic beverages. They effect every body differently. You believe you were not legally drunk, but how do you really know for sure. The drinks you consumed earlier? Four or five? How many ounces of booze was in each drink? Was it measured or just poured straight out of the bottle? From your letter, you say you drank at more than one place which means you were served by different bartenders. Are you on any medication that alcohol had a reaction to? There are a lot of variables. I am not trying to chastise you, merely pointing out things to consider.

Finally, and the bottom line is this, which is unfortunate for you, at 11:30 p.m. at night, most people are home either in bed or at least have long gotten off the streets of Long Beach, Seaview or wherever. The only businesses that are open at that time are mostly the local bars and taverns and a couple of gas stations. The police are not stupid and they know this. Do they watch these places at these hours? More than likely the answer is yes. Do they know the “regulars” who frequent them and the vehicles they drive? The answer is likely yes. Do they care who you are and that you have been a hard-working, tax-paying citizen with a clean driving record in the past? The answer is likely no.

So it sounds to me from your letter you are a good person with probably some solid education behind you. Do not quit trying to have a good time or enjoy yourself and relax a little while you live here. If you feel the urge to do this again, at that late hour, call a cab or a friend to drive you home. It will save you some grief and a lot of money. Good luck, John!

Gene Lilly

Ilwaco