POLK HITS POTHOLE

If it is anything, the work environment at Boulder Weekly is fiercely
tolerant. Of course, like any ethical business, we're prepared to
bring employees into our circle regardless of their age, gender,
religion, nationality, color or sexual orientation. But our level of
tolerance goes far beyond that. We've been known to hire individuals
who shop at Wal-Mart, wear Nike shoes, eat at the Cheesecake Factory
and even root for the New York Yankees (gasp)-so long as they can make
a positive contribution to our mission of saving the world, one
Thursday at a time. And, yes, we even tolerate employees who smoke
weed-so long as they do it on their time and it doesn't affect their
job performance.

That's why I'm against removing Richard Polk from his seat on the
Boulder City Council for driving after smoking weed.

On the evening of Monday, Sept. 25, Richard Polk, who is also the
owner of long-time Boulder business The Pedestrian Shops, was cited
and arrested by Boulder Police for driving in downtown Boulder under
the influence of marijuana. Normally I would have added the word
"allegedly" to the last sentence, but since Polk has subsequently
admitted to and apologized for the offense there is no need to invoke
the "innocent until proven guilty" hallmark of our legal system.
Because the city charter calls for the automatic removal of a council
member convicted of a crime, it is probable that Polk will,
ultimately, be removed from his post.

There are several interesting issues surrounding this incident,
ranging from Polk's suggestion at the time of his arrest that his
status as a Boulder City Council member might afford him preferential
treatment ("Wait, can we do something else," Polk said to the
arresting officer, according to the police report. "I am a Boulder
City Council member. I'm embarrassed. Please don't do this."), to the
cost to the city should there be a special election to replace him on
Council. I'll cover both of those issues in this column, but first
there's something I just have to get off my chest.

According to the police report, Polk failed a roadside sobriety test.
Further, he admitted he had been drinking wine within 30 minutes of
his arrest. Now, keep that in mind while I add one more ingredient to
the mix: It is well known among a certain group of people in
Boulder-let's call them the "I visited Richard Polk at his store to
sell him advertising" club-that Polk is not, shall we say, a "pot virgin."

Against that backdrop, and considering, too, the confiscation of a
second bag of weed, and Polk's reference to his stash as "low-grade
stuff" and "leftovers," you've got yourself a seasoned pot user.

A seasoned stoner like Richard Polk who has run a successful
business-regularly under the influence-for more than three decades,
and has succeeded in getting himself elected to and holding down the
responsibilities of the Boulder City Council, clearly knows how to
maintain! Such an individual doesn't fail a roadside sobriety test for
smoking a little weed. It will be interesting to learn what his blood
alcohol level was at the time of the arrest.

As I have said, I am against removing Polk from the City Council for
smoking weed in his car. I just do not believe that this proves he is
unable to perform his duties as a council member. However, there are
some other aspects of this incident that should raise bigger questions
in our minds about Polk's suitability to serve the needs of his
Boulder constituency.

The most obvious of these is Polk's apparent belief in a two-tiered
justice system. Whether the Boulder Police Department commonly
releases, rather than incarcerates, individuals arrested for allegedly
driving stoned is not the point. The fact that Polk even asked for
special favors should be considered a deal breaker for a public
servant who was elected to uphold justice for all the people of
Boulder. Strike One!

Next is Polk's questionable honesty at the time of his arrest.
Although the arresting officer, Keith Steinman, reported that the pipe
he confiscated from Polk was warm, Polk said he hadn't smoked the pipe
in "real recent time." And further, consider Polk's claim that he
"forgot" about the second bag of weed that was found in his pocket by
Officer Steinman. Does this seem credible? All of this raises
questions about the honesty of our City Councilman. Strike Two!

Finally, we have Polk's apparent disregard for how this entire affair
impacts the ability of our City Council to focus on city business-not
to mention the cost to the citizens of Boulder should there be a need
for a special election. Mayor Mark Ruzzin has said that the Council is
predisposed to wait for the outcome of Polk's hearing to make any
decision. Given the timing, a special election will be the likely
outcome, an endeavor that could cost the city close to $100,000.
Strike Three!

In his statement of apology, Polk said, "I realize that, as an elected
member of City Council, I have an obligation to act responsibly at all
times." The only "responsible" thing for Richard Polk to do is to
immediately resign his seat on the Boulder City Council.