DRINKING, DRIVING, AND POLITICIZING:

Carpinteria City Councilmember Joe Armendariz was arrested for
drunken driving Saturday night after he rolled his Lexus on the
side of Sycamore Canyon Road with a half-empty miniature bottle of
vodka in the front seat. He sustained minor injuries. Armendariz,
39, subsequently released a written statement apologizing for his
lack of judgment and admitting he’s struggled with alcohol; he
promised to enroll in a recovery and support program. Armendariz
said few people were aware of his drinking problem since it was
confined to drinking wine at home and on the weekends. He said he’s
tried to stop in the past, but has never been motivated the way he
is now. “The last 72 hours have been the worst in my life and the
idea of drinking again has about as much appeal as nibbling on
poison,” he said. Armendariz expects his executive directorship of
the Taxpayers Association and the Santa Barbara Industrial
Association to continue.