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Sun, Nov 23 2008 

Published: June 05, 2008 11:15 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Candidate wants to clear air about past arrests

Letter to the Editor

There has been some discussion as to an event in my past that I would like to clear up.

I was arrested for three OWIs (operating while intoxicated charges).

Even though this happened many years ago, I feel it is important that I bring this mistake out in the open prior to the beginning of my campaign. I was a young kid with problems. I had lost a friend to cancer and my job within a short period of time. I used alcohol as a vice to get through a difficult time in my life. It is a decision that I regret.

I am, however, glad that God tapped me on the shoulder and shoved me down the right path. In hindsight, I am glad that these events unfolded. These events created an awareness of the mistakes I was making in my life that I may not have realized until it was too late to turn my life around.

Since turning my path in life around, I now have a loving family, friends who support me and have realized the importance of giving back. I have given back not only by speaking on the dangers of drinking and driving but also served in many capacities in community events and organizations. I believe the trials that I have been through give me a unique perspective in representing this community. I can understand that people have bad times in their lives and sometimes feel like there is no way out. I have been there — I can relate. I will work harder than most to right the wrongs and at the very least have a unique understanding and compassion for the causes of hardship in life.

I bring this issue out in the open because it is not something that I am ashamed of, but rather embrace as a learning experience.

This experience I can put to use representing this community. I believe that to represent this community, you must be honest and understanding. I bring this issue forward as a showing of my honesty and intentions to represent this community honestly and with the integrity it deserves.

Jonathan H. Van Roekel,

House District 26 candidate

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