Abel Harding Departs Mayors Office

[Traveller]

I briefly saw a headline on the Times-Union website this morning stating that Harding has resigned from Mayor Brown's office.  For some reason, though, I couldn't get the article to come up, and now the headline itself is gone.

EDIT: The article is now back up.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-09-23/story/abel-harding-resigns-jacksonville-city-hall

[Jimmy]

I hate to hear that for Abel and for Jacksonville.  But I agree completely that he will land on his feet.

[Kay]

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the Mayor's office over this.

[duvaldude08]

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the Mayor's office over this.

Much detail was not provided so you cant really say your disappointed. We dont know if he choose to resign or if he was forced. Do we?

[Tacachale]

This is too bad. But he'll certainly come out of this no worse for the wear.

[Kay]

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the Mayor's office over this.

Much detail was not provided so you cant really say your disappointed. We dont know if he choose to resign or if he was forced. Do we?

I think I can say exactly what I said. 

[Bativac]

So, wait - he was pulled over and arrested for DUI? But refused the breathalyzer test, as is his right, and there's no evidence otherwise that he was drunk? And the cop took how long afterwards to file the report? And the police are confirming there was no reckless driving involved but are charging him with that anyway?

So basically he was speeding and it cost him his job? Is that right?

[Tacachale]

^That's pretty much it, yeah. Evidently the mayor's spokesman must be above suspicion.

[hillary supporter]

Abel did the right thing, all the way around. It was clearly his decision to make, as he has said.
Alcoholism is a serious problem in our society. He needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking.
Only he can answer that question, in terms of avoiding the event that just occurred. For the four to
four thousand posts one can make in Abels favor, just one in which one has lost a child, mother, brother, close friend
defeats the argument.
If anything, this case proves the need more accessible public mass transit for those who choose to drink (responsibly)

[Kay]

Abel did the right thing, all the way around. It was clearly his decision to make, as he has said.
Alcoholism is a serious problem in our society. He needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking.
Only he can answer that question, in terms of avoiding the event that just occurred. For the four to
four thousand posts one can make in Abels favor, just one in which one has lost a child, mother, brother, close friend
defeats the argument.
If anything, this case proves the need more accessible public mass transit for those who choose to drink (responsibly)

What?  No proof of drinking.  He was stopped for speeding.  Are you telling me everyone stopped for speeding also was drinking? 

[Steve_Lovett]

Abel did the right thing, all the way around. It was clearly his decision to make, as he has said.
Alcoholism is a serious problem in our society. He needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking.
Only he can answer that question, in terms of avoiding the event that just occurred. For the four to
four thousand posts one can make in Abels favor, just one in which one has lost a child, mother, brother, close friend
defeats the argument.
If anything, this case proves the need more accessible public mass transit for those who choose to drink (responsibly)

What?  No proof of drinking.  He was stopped for speeding.  Are you telling me everyone stopped for speeding also was drinking?

There's no question that alcoholism is a huge problem in society.  That fact can't and shouldn't ever be diminished. 

You make an assumption about the incident.  Have you considered that it is very possible that some people who have had nothing to drink have been unjustly pulled over and accused of drinking & driving in Hampton, Florida, or other similar rural communities of the same ilk?

Does it make sense that a small rural town of a few-hundred writes as many traffic tickets in a 400-foot span of Highway 301 where the speed limit changes from 65mph to 55mph as many of Florida's largest cities?  Is this fulfilling the police department's traditional stated mission "to protect and serve"?

You suggesting that Abel "did the right thing all the way around" and your assertion that "he needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking" are fairly strong (and ignorant/presumptive) character statements on a public message board - especially from someone posting anonymously.  (If I am mistaken and your first name is "Hillary" and your last name is "Supporter", then please accept my full apology).

It's a crack-up to see you use this incident to make a case for "Accessible Mass Transit along the Highway 301 corridor for those who choose to drink (responsibly)". 

[Timkin]

I feel  badly for Abel and the situation.  It is a shame he has resigned.   The irony , to me at least is, there are some out there who have done a hell of a lot worse things , and keep their positions. 

[hillary supporter]

Abel did the right thing, all the way around. It was clearly his decision to make, as he has said.
Alcoholism is a serious problem in our society. He needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking.
Only he can answer that question, in terms of avoiding the event that just occurred. For the four to
four thousand posts one can make in Abels favor, just one in which one has lost a child, mother, brother, close friend
defeats the argument.
If anything, this case proves the need more accessible public mass transit for those who choose to drink (responsibly)

What?  No proof of drinking.  He was stopped for speeding.  Are you telling me everyone stopped for speeding also was drinking?

There's no question that alcoholism is a huge problem in society.  That fact can't and shouldn't ever be diminished. 

You make an assumption about the incident.  Have you considered that it is very possible that some people who have had nothing to drink have been unjustly pulled over and accused of drinking & driving in Hampton, Florida, or other similar rural communities of the same ilk?

Does it make sense that a small rural town of a few-hundred writes as many traffic tickets in a 400-foot span of Highway 301 where the speed limit changes from 65mph to 55mph as many of Florida's largest cities?  Is this fulfilling the police department's traditional stated mission "to protect and serve"?

You suggesting that Abel "did the right thing all the way around" and your assertion that "he needs to find out if he has a problem with drinking" are fairly strong (and ignorant/presumptive) character statements on a public message board - especially from someone posting anonymously.  (If I am mistaken and your first name is "Hillary" and your last name is "Supporter", then please accept my full apology).

It's a crack-up to see you use this incident to make a case for "Accessible Mass Transit along the Highway 301 corridor for those who choose to drink (responsibly)". 

Theres little to assume at this point
1) He refused the breathalyzer test
2) he resigned his office over the issue
3) While it may not be able to prove this without any doubt, these two points should leave any person to believe that Abel was under the influence beyond reasonable doubt.
You acknowledged yourself how alcoholism is a huge problem. The only way one can work towards a solution to seeing if they have a problem is to look at themselves and decide that themselves. I find it very reasonable and far from "strong/ ignorant/presumptive"  that if one is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, that person should see if they have a problem with alcohol.
I believe a large number of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths attributed to alcohol were committed by people who didn't consider themselves alcoholics. If such isnt true, why do they drink and drive?
While its senseless that the town does enforce the traffic laws in such a corrupt manner, its not a secret. The AAA even has road signs noting such to the outskirts of the town. Its been like this for 20 years.
Ive personally used mass transit as i planned to drink and enjoy a public event. That is "drinking responsibly." The problem is that isn't an option available heading to Gainesville. Such would give one another alternative to drinking and driving.
Kay, while Abel was stopped for speeding, the officer suspected he was drinking. The officer has the right to require a breathalyzer if he suspects such, just has they have the right to set up periodic road blocks to check for drivers under the influence .The only reason there was no proof of drinking was because he refused the test. Since 1)the officer requested the test and 2) he refused it, its logical to conclude he wouldnt pass the test. Because he was drinking.

[Timkin]

A police report on the arrest hasn't been completed because the arresting officer has been in training classes, said Hodges. He said the officer, reservist David Hughes, recounted the arrest to him over the weekend.

Hodges said he thought a field sobriety test was performed and that Harding failed. Neither urine nor blood tests were performed because they aren't normal practices under those circumstances, he said.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-09-14/story/law-amp-disorder-jacksonville-mayors-spokesman-refused-breath-test#ixzz1XwEFVQBn

Someone please tell me how this officer is supposed to write his report 5 days later and still recount everything that happened on Saturday night.

Seriously???  Uhmmmmm, your Honor I would like my clients case to be thrown out because of incompetence.  Thank You.  Nothing Further.

Why is it that the officer didn't write his report that night, since when are they allowed to wait at all for it? That alone could constitute dismissal of charges

I agree.  I wish , given Abel's track record  (perfect, up to this incident)  The Mayor's office would reinstate him.   Sadly, I doubt that will be the case. 

[duvaldude08]

At the end of the day.. we all make mistakes and some of them our costly. I know companies that terminate you if you get arrested for ANYTHING. If he was forced to resign, he will learn from this experience and move forward. Ive been in his shoes and LUCKILY I didnt lose my job, and I thought I was going too. We often pay big for our mistakes, big or small.