Leave of absence:
Mesa Councilman Ryan Winkle, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI earlier this month, announces he will take a voluntary leave of absence less than 24 hours before a planned council discussion about his future. He says he has enrolled in counseling.
Mesa Councilman Ryan Winkle, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI earlier this month, announced he will take a voluntary leave of absence less than 24 hours before a planned council discussion about his future.
At a news conference Wednesday, Winkle apologized to his “fellow Mesans,” from “the core of my being.”
“You, the voters of District 3, have bestowed a great honor upon me and I have disappointed you. To you I say directly: I am very sorry,” he said.
Winkle said he enrolled in family counseling along with his wife, Ericka Varela, who was in the car when Winkle was pulled over in Tempe after he almost hit three pedestrians, according to Tempe police.
In the body-camera video of his arrest, Winkle told officers multiple times that he had not been drinking. Results from his blood-alcohol test are pending.
In the video, Winkle is shown failing to comprehend and perform three fields-obriety tests. His wife, the sole passenger in the car, asked officers to let the couple go because of Winkle’s support for public safety.
Winkle said he intends to own up to the consequences of his choice, cooperate fully with Tempe police and resume his role on the council as soon as the case is adjudicated. He said he will serve the community “in a way that will truly make you proud.”
“With the help of my community, my family, my friends, my colleagues, I will work hard to make amends for my mistakes and become a better husband, a better leader, a better man,” he said.
He did not take questions from the press.
His voice wavered throughout his four-minute statement, especially when he admitted to letting down the kids he mentors in the community, several of whom attended the media event.
He cited several of the children by name and asked for their forgiveness.
The council is scheduled to discuss “concerns about Ryan’s ability to carry out his responsibilities as a member of the City Council with these charges pending,” on Thursday during a 7:30 a.m. study session, according to a statement from Mayor John Giles.
City officials said they don’t know if Winkle will attend the meeting.
Thursday’s City Council agenda shows the council will consider Winkle’s “request for a voluntary suspension.”
The council’s discussion will be live streamed on azcentral.com and the azcentral Facebook page.