AREA MAYOR FACES DRUG CHARGES

WILTON -- The arrest of Wilton Mayor Dick Summy on Thursday was the
culmination of a year-long investigation, authorities said.

Sean McCullough, supervisor for the Iowa Department of Public
Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Division, said Summy, 56, was arrested
Thursday morning at the Iowa League of Cities meeting in Coralville
on charges of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, marijuana
and violation of the state's drug tax stamp law.

Summy is being held in the Polk County Jail on $19,500 bond. His
initial appearance is scheduled for this morning. McCullough said the
investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

Search warrants were served Monday by the Muscatine County Drug Task
Force to three area banks and at Summy's home in Wilton. According to
documents filed at the Muscatine County Courthouse, several items
were confiscated, including a handheld police radio with charger, a
computer and cash totaling approximately $24,000.

The warrant also indicates trafficking marijuana in amounts of pounds.

In March 14, at a Des Moines bar, Joeseppe's, Summy allegedly
accepted $800 in marked currency toward an informant's previous drug
debt to Summy for a half-pound of marijuana.

The transaction was under surveillance by the Division of Narcotics
Enforcement. The report also states that Summy made post-Miranda
confessions to six or more transactions involving the informant.

Documents stated that the informant's residence was searched by
officers on Aug. 14, 2005. An undisclosed amount of cash and a
vehicle were seized. The informant also discussed cooperation with
law enforcement in exchange for consideration of possible criminal charges.

He told officers he purchased hydroponic (grown in liquid nutrients
instead of soil) marijuana from Summy about 12 times between the fall
2004 and July 2005.

Summy has held office since 2004. He has lived in Wilton since 1985.

No special City Council meeting has been scheduled yet to discuss
Summy's status as mayor.

"The council will have to do damage control. We've had some obstacles
in the past, but nothing like this," City Council member Ted Glenney
said Thursday afternoon upon hearing the news. "I am surprised. He
has a good job. This floors me."

Summy works in sales for Gerdau Ameristeel, which has a plant in Wilton.