Staff Report
ALBION — A member of the Kosciusko County Council who was arrested over the weekend on A drunk driving charge had been initially pulled over by police for an expired license plate.
Sixty-two-year-old Kimberly Cates was pulled over in Albion shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, according to a report from the Times Union.
Police say Cates smelled of alcohol, showed signs of impairment, and failed two out of three field tests. She then refused a chemical test and is facing a felony charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction.
She was convicted of a drunk driving charge about two years ago in Kosciusko County.
State law prohibits elected officials from serving if they’ve been convicted of a felony.
Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Reagan called the circumstances sad and said Cates has been a good public servant.
Cates is unopposed in the upcoming general election. Regardless of whether she resigns, her name will remain on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Reagan was asked if he thinks she should step down. He said if he were in her circumstances, he would resign, given the new issues she’ll face in the coming weeks and months.
If Cates were to choose to step down, Republicans would have to plan two upcoming caucuses: one to fill out her remaining few months in her current term and another to fill the vacancy for a new term that begins Jan. 1.
