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Mayor Jay Vavricek responds to citizen outrage
It was the call that led to the arrest of Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek on suspicion of DUI. A resident made the call to 911 after he was concerned about what he had just seen.
News 5 has obtained the audio from that initial call: Dispatcher: Grand Island emergency center. Caller: I wanted to report a drunk driver. Dispatcher: Ok, where at? Caller: This guy just pulled into the Grand Island liquor mart...just drunker than hell. He drove here and he's buying a bunch more booze. Dispatcher: And is that all? Just the one man in the vehicle? Caller: Yep, just the one guy. Dispatcher: OK. Caller: He got out, almost fell down. If you could check out, that'd be great. The 911 call could haunt Mayor Jay Vavricek for the rest of his mayoral term. And now after the plea deal some are calling unfair, conversations are running wild in Grand Island. The only thing different this time is, News 5's Dara Newson talked to the Mayor one-on-one. Reporter Dara Newson: Do you think you received special treatment? "Let me answer it this way. When you go through an experience like this, for example, I can tell the trooper, hey, be a professional, do your job. I don't want any special treatment and he would indicate those same sentiments," said Vavricek. That's not the way most of Grand Island sees it, including city council members. "I think that the best situation would have been to stand there and take your medicine and not plea bargain your way out of it," said City Council member Mike Paulick. In exchange for not filing DUI charges, Vavricek entered a no contest plea to reckless driving charges and Vavricek was charged $500 in fines. "I'm disappointed in myself but none the less learned some lessons take this lesson going forward, no I won't have to revisit this ever again," said Vavricek. But now a plan to boot the Mayor out once again, has resurfaced. "They're tired of what's going on and they want it dealt with and to deal with it that's the end game, remove him," said Grand Island City Council President Bob Niemann. Four council members approached Council president Bob Niemann regarding the matter and a wave of community response has also sparked Section 224 which outlines procedures that the council needs to go through to remove the Mayor from office. "It's the kind of thing that would take the super majority so eight people would have to vote yes," Niemann said. The matter is currently under discussion and so is Mayor Vavricek's personal life. Reporter Dara Newson: Is everything ok in your personal life? "In my personal life I'm very blessed. I have a strong marriage, also have great kids, I have a great community I look forward to serving. Don't have any other issues that would get in the way of my elected public service," said Vavricek. Conversations are also swirling throughout the community regarding Vavricek's place of residence. "We have a cabin in Howard County near Cushioning and if I can get away there and maybe go duck hunting or deer hunting or BBQ overnight I'll do so, I only have one home and that's in Grand Island," said Vavricek. While the Mayor is ready to move on a wave of community response proves the battle isn't over. "I wish he didn't have to go through this. I wish the city didn't have to go through this, but it looks like we're going to have to," said Niemann. The Mayor tells News 5 he intends to serve the community of Grand Island for the rest of his term and does not feel he needs to step aside. |
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