Park board commissioner facing DUI charges takes medical leave
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | 7:10 PM PT
CBC News
Vancouver Park Board commissioner Constance Barnes has taken a medical leave of absence after being charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol in May. (CBC) Vancouver Park Board commissioner Constance Barnes announced Wednesday she has taken a medical leave of absence from her city position but will not resign over an incident involving drinking and driving.
Barnes was charged with three offences related to a drunk-driving incident, the single mother of three said at a news conference on Wednesday.
She said she was arrested by Vancouver police at about 11 p.m. on May 23 after her vehicle hit a house on Ross Street in South Vancouver. Although nobody was injured there was damage to the property.
She said she had spent that afternoon at Iona Beach in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver, and had erred by driving home under the influence of alcohol. The accident occurred after she fell asleep at the wheel.
"To be honest, I don't know exactly how much I had to drink — I had a couple of ciders and made the mistake of getting behind the wheel," said Barnes, who is serving her first term as a commissioner.
'With the recovery and getting the assistance that I need, I feel I can come back stronger, and that I am definitely able to do the job.'— Constance Barnes
Barnes said she had been going through a period of "deep personal struggle" and is now involved with Alcoholics Anonymous.
"I have made a serious mistake, and I take full responsibility for my actions and acknowledge my lack of judgment," Barnes said.
"I would like to apologize to my family, friends, colleagues and to the citizens of Vancouver for this serious mistake. I am ashamed by my actions and the embarrassment it has caused my family and friends."
Barnes is the daughter of the late Emery Barnes, who was one of the first two black MLAs elected in B.C. in 1972, and the first black elected Speaker of any provincial legislature in 1994.
Her father's accomplishments were seen as a key element in Barnes's campaign as a Vision Vancouver candidate in last November's civic election, which also chose park board members.
Barnes said her father would be proud that she admitted to her mistake.
She said she would take the next few months to tackle her "personal challenges," while getting professional support, but she won't step down from her position as a commissioner on the park board.
"With the recovery and getting the assistance that I need, I feel I can come back stronger, and that I am definitely able to do the job."
Barnes said she will plead guilty when she appears in court on June 29.
Mira Oreck, an executive member of Vision Vancouver, said Wednesday her party is still behind Barnes.
"We will support her in the future assuming that she gets the support she needs to come back in a healthy way," Oreck said.
Corrections and Clarifications
- Emery Barnes was not the first elected Speaker in B.C., as this story previously stated. He became the first black Speaker of any provincial legislature in 1994. Sept. 4, 2009 | 2:30 p.m. PT
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Tires slashed on more than 100 cars in Surrey
- At least 100 cars have had their tires slashed in a widespread vandalism spree in Surrey Tuesday, police say. more »
- B.C. Mountie drank to 'calm nerves' after fatal crash
- An off-duty RCMP officer involved in a deadly collision told an investigating police officer he'd consumed two shots of vodka after the crash to "calm his nerves," a B.C. court has heard. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- B.C. seniors' care action plan announced
- The B.C. government unveiled a seniors' action plan in Victoria Tuesday afternoon, in response to a sweeping review by Ombudsperson Kim Carter. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews
- A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Stanley Cup rioter seen in brick attack on cop
- Crown seeks up to 18 months for Stanley Cup rioter
- Sperm donor anonymity case opens in B.C. Appeal Court
- Enbridge offered First Nations cash to study pipeline
- HIV-positive B.C. man jailed for assault, child porn
- Charges laid in $150,000 fraud of Vancouver Firefighters Band
- B.C. Mountie drank to 'calm nerves' after fatal crash
- Osoyoos Times apologizes for 'slanderous' RCMP article
