Posted: 5/7/03

Coryell takes blame for DWI

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council Monday specified discipline for City Administrator Dennis Coryell related to a drunk-driving conviction this year.

During Mondayís regular meeting, Coryell was given two-day unpaid suspension, stayed for two years if no further incidents occur, and a letter of warning placed in his personnel file for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The vote was 4-1 in favor of the discipline, with council member Ted Phillips voting against the motion.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council met in closed session for 75 minutes, about half that time with Coryell. When the meeting resumed it was announced that some disciplinary action was necessary.

On April 17, David Snyder, an independent investigator hired by the city to conduct the investigation, presented the results of his work to the personnel committee.

Council member Sandy Standridge read a statement from the personnel committee that noted details considered by the group to determine appropriate action.

Among these that actions by an employee, whether on or off duty, can affect the reputation of the city. This was a first offense for the city administrator.

In the decision, Coryellís 11-year tenure as a city employee was considered, the fact that the incident took place outside normal working hours, and that he never denied the charges.

As additional findings, council member Lynn Koalska noted that this discipline was in keeping with the level of other disciplinary action for employees where there had been no prior incidents.

After the vote, and with council permission, Coryell read from a prepared statement.

ìI offer my sincere apology. I take complete responsibility for driving after drinking.

ìI apologize first to the city council for making life difficult for them in hard times when leadership must be strong and unquestioned. I apologize to my staff, for causing them concerns about my professionalism.

ìI apologize to the residents of Wyoming, for causing them to have questions about my competency, judgment, and the image I project to young people.î

He added that he has been a professional in the city for 11 years and that this was his first traffic offense in 22 years.

ìI made a serious mistake. I promise it will not be repeated,î he concluded.

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