This year has been a rough one, though I brought it all on myself. I have not written about my battle with alcohol, my arrest, my legal situation, or the state legislature. Because I desire to write about the latter, I find that I first must address the former.
Because my legal situation is yet to be resolved I will write about my arrest once and only once on this blog. I will open the comment section and publish all comments, no matter what your opinion, if they are civil and without profanity, lies will be deleted. Any questions regarding Calvary Center, the rehabilitation center I attended can be answered by their staff at Calvary Center. The toll free number is 866-76-SOBER.
On the evening of March 22, I was arrested in Parker, Arizona for driving under the influence. I was taken to the La Paz County Sherriff’s office. My car was towed and impounded. I thank God that I was stopped and give great thanks that I did not injure others by my appalling behavior. I was released several hours later into the custody of a family member who lives nearby. From what I have been told, this is standard operating procedure for the La Paz County Sherriff’s office.
Approximately one week later I took a leave of absence from the state legislature and entered Calvary Center, a 30-day, faith-based rehabilitation facility located in Phoenix. Although I regret missing time and votes at the Capitol, I am confident that I made the right decision. The staff at Calvary Center taught me the skills I needed to successfully battle my addiction to alcohol and at this time, I am over 4 months sober. If someone you know has a problem with alcohol, drugs, and/or gambling, Calvary Center is the place for them. It costs a fraction of what other facilities charge but the doctors, therapists; the entire staff in fact, is top notch. People from all over the country, from all walks of life comprised the patient population.
Though I focused on my recovery by attending daily mandatory meetings, lectures, group therapy, bible study and work therapy, I was also able to touch base with my colleagues for brief periods of time (by email) in order take part in the budget process. I also was allowed documents pertaining to the state budget along with any priority mail from constituents.
After my rehabilitation I resumed work at the legislature. I reinstated my driver’s license, which had been suspended for 30 days after my arrest, by applying for a 60-day restricted license. This allowed me to drive back and forth to work. 90 days have passed and I now have no restrictions on my license.
No charges have been filed against me yet. I expect charges to be filed any day now. I do not know the reason for the delay. I do not know the gentleman who will be prosecuting my case. Most of what I learn about my case I read in the paper.
At times I feel my life is in limbo, not knowing what the future holds and yes, this is all of my doing. I can’t dwell on this though as it does not make for a very productive day, in fact, it does no good at all. Besides, from the amount of email I get, there are so many others who have taken up this cause. What I know is this…I made a horrible mistake in drinking and driving. I put countless others at risk with complete disregard. I have no excuse. I am sorry for that and sorry for betraying the trust of all who counted on me. I am a Christian and a leader and my behavior has not reflected either. I do not know if I will be able to retain my position. Certainly there are those who desire for me to step down. I will not. This decision is not borne out of pride but of the knowledge that I have been effective as a conservative republican. I stand by my voting record, my awards, and accomplishments. I am not boasting, instead using them as a testament to my effectiveness.
So for now I work, doing the good work I have been blessed to do. I focus on the good in my life and the good I can do for others. I celebrate my good fortune every day which includes my family and friends, my God, my sobriety, and my work. In whatever situation I am learning to be content.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
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28 comments:
Trish,
I vehemently disagree with the statement you made about the policy of the Sheriff's office in your blog. My brother-inlaw was pulled over for DUI and they didn't release him to me. They kept him until he went to court to be arraigned the next morning. It would be a little more helpful and honest if you could just accept the fact that you are getting a break because of WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU KNOW. If that was anyone else, they would have spent the night in jail or longer and you know that. You sound contrite in your blog, yet you say you are only going to talk about your incident "once and only once". I think you should talk about it for the rest of your life. It just might save someone else's life and let someone else learn from your lesson (that you have yet to learn from by the way).
Your recovery process is for the rest of your life not for just the last 4 months and 90 some odd days of your license being unrestricted. You are far from being proactive for the charges if any charges you will receive for your wrong doing. A proactive person would admit that the laws were overlooked because nobody wanted to rock the "legislative boat" with you. Anyone else would have had the book thrown at them and every DUI law applied to them in this case. How can you sit there on "legislative row"(where laws are made) and continue to say you being in your seat is benefitting our state after going over 4 months with no indictment for a felony DUI? To me, as someone who voted for you, you just poured salt in the wound again.
You owe this state and your city of Lake Havasu a public forum where you can be confronted and you can publicly speak about what you did wrong and what you are going to do fix this whether you get indicted or not. You owe us much more than a letter written on your blog. You have a moral responsibility to the people who voted you in and the people who you represent for this state. Because while you were gone in rehab, you weren't able to function as our state rep. Your road to recovery is a public one along with it being a personal one. You owe every person(I'm not condoning drinking and driving) who made the same DUI mistake you did an answer as to why they paid dearly for their crimes and you didn't? YOU OWE US MORE THAN WHAT YOUR BLOG STATES. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING TRISH. BE PRODUCTIVE. SAVE SOME LIVES ALONG WITH YOURS.
Sincerely,
KMS....Lake Havasu City
Trish,
PLEASE do yourself and all of the voters of Lake Havasu City a favor and resign. You are an embarsassment to us all!!
You are a lawmaker who blatently broke the law.
Need I say more?!
Ms Groe,
I am personally offended by your recent blog post entitled "The Road to Recovery"! How dare you state you will talk about this "once and only once". You broke the law, used your position to get released to a relative, and sit in your office a free woman. All due to the elected position given to your by the voters here in Lake Havasu City!
You chose to drive your automobile while drunk! Your blood alcohol limit was almost twice the legal limit and that was after more then 100 miles of driving. I can only imagine what it must have been when you left Phoenix..... You also chose to drive while on a suspended license! If you were not an elected offical, you certainly would be in jail, just like any of the rest of us!
The initial News Herald report indicated you informed the deputy of your position with the government. If you were not seeking special treatment, why would this be necessary. I can not remember the last time mentioning my teaching profession while being stopped for a traffic offense. Hummm.... think I would have been treated as kindly as you were?
I believe it is time you stop kidding yourself and resign. It is embarassing to our community to have a representative who believe she is above the laws she is entrusted to make!
My husband posted above, be he is a man of few words. I beleive the above does a better job of explaining our position and the position of most voters in your district!
Hillary C.
LHC
Trish: Hats off to you for taking responsibility for your actions. There is not a person alive that hasn't participted in wrong-doing. It is what we learn from it that keeps us going!
What is this " Once and once only". You owe the people of Lake Havsu more than that. You sound like you are superior over the residents, like a mother pointing her finger at her child making the same statement. I believe because so much time has passed that this has made alot more people angry including myself. If things would have been handled without the special treatment you received it wouldn't be feeding this anger that keeps building. The more time this takes to resolve the more votes you will lose. Speak up ! Speak out ! Help others ! Wish the best for you and your family.
I never had a parking or speeding ticket ever and got a DUI last year when I was camping. They held me in jail for 3 days before I paid bail and got out. I was given the charges while in jail. I then had to go back to jail for 30 days and lost my license for 5 years. I have thousands in fines and a lot of community service hours clearing brush to take care of before they will release me from probation. Probation may last the 5 years I don't have a license. I had to sell my house and move into an apartment by my office. Yes you are getting special treatment.
Last anonymous, no way this was a run of the mill DUI. I'm thinking you killed someone.
Hey Anonymous challenging DUI Anonymous...
You're wrong the DUI laws changed last year. You don't have to kill someone to have the strict DUI laws apply to you. Look them up before you accuse someone of killing somebody else. Bottomline, that person did their time, just like Trish should. Right Trish?
The DUI laws have long been used as a sledgehammer when a tack hammer will do.
I hope you can continue to do the good work you do with the full knowledge of how bad things can happen to good people.
You have taken responsibility for your transgression, have apologized to those you needed to, and will pay the price when the time comes.
I wish you the best in a difficult situation.
Ms. Groe,
I also disagree with your statement that it is standard operating procedure for the sheriffs office to release a felony dui suspect to a family member. I have worked prior law enforcement and this would not of happened unless it was someone in your position. Another fact if this would of happened to the average citizen they would of spent the night in jail the first night, and more than likely the person would have been sentenced by now and paying their debt to society. This case just goes to show that if you know the right people or should I say if you hold the right position you can truly get away with anything. It sure makes you wonder why people do not have faith in their justice system today.
Trish,
I have to laugh at your statements. Why did it take so long for you to respond to this? And, if you feel that you didnt get special treatment, you really live in a fantasy world. And really, why do you keep telling us that you are a christian? Weren't you a christian before you were arrested for drunk driving, or didn't you have the proper forum to keep telling us? Christians can be alcoholics too. They aren't perfect, so quit acting like they are. You are an embarassment to the voters of this county. And, since were being honest here, why didn't you tell anyone before you were elected that you were arrested for drunk driving in California? If you had this "problem" before, than I feel that you were elected under false pretenses.
I'm glad your getting help for your problem. Keep whats left of your dignity and resign. If you think you even have a chance of re-election . . . .
Last comment re: Christianity:
I am as outraged about this case as most of the people who have posted, but I do have to take issue with the last comment. At no time has Trish said that Christian's can't be alcoholics, and at no time has she even hinted that they are perfect. We in the Christian Church (should) know we are all sinners - hypocrites, liars, cheats, etc. We have never, nor will we ever, be perfect, until we reach Heaven. The vast majority of us commit sins on a daily basis, be they public or private.
That being said, I don't know why Mrs. Groe continues to be in denial about the preferential treatment she has received. And I also believe she should resign her position. Surely the counseling she has received has taught her there are consequences for the bad choices (aka sin) she has made. One of the consequences should be the loss of her seat in Congress.
Trish - if you are acquitted, pardoned, make a plea deal, or simply get a lighter sentence than the Average Joe, the harsh comments you have recieved in this blog are MILD compared to the outcry that will sound if you do not lose or resign your seat.
****NOTE FROM TRISH****
Readers are more then welcome to express their opinions. Any malicious lies will be deleted.
Trish,
You are doing a great job, especially with the situation and all that is included. I would like you to know that a lot of us voters do think you are doing a great job; it’s just that most of us choose not to voice our opinion or get involved. I am writing this for two reasons, one to ask you to hang in there, all of us will vote for you again. The second is to ask these judgmental people out there to look at them selves first. Even if Trish were to get special treatment, which I don’t think she is, so what, Good for her. The system actually gave someone a break. Everything that has happened to her has happened to others before her, in one way or another, it just wasn’t publicized and it doesn’t happen to often. So to these judgmental people that want to scream and yell and crucify someone that might get a break now and then, I say to them, what comes around goes around, remember this when your in a similar situation, remember what you’ve said and your ignorant judgmental ways. If you ever wonder why things go bad for you if you were in a situation like this, maybe it's because of what you said or did to people like Trish. Oh and maybe you should go to church once in a while. I know I would hate to be in the shoes of Trish Groe and I hope and prey that she can get past this and continue doing a great job. A lot of us have faith in her and hope everything turns out for the best. All of us, and everyone I have talked too, including friends and family, will all vote for her again. We wish the best for you Trish.
There are many of us out there that have done things that we are not proud of...whether we got "caught" or not. Trish got "caught". Maybe this is a good thing. She now realizes and sees more clearly the damage that could have been done. And living the damage that has been done. Trish is showing great courage and determination. Good for you, Trish and hang in there. There are many others that feel this way and will vote for you again and again.
It appears to me Rep. Groe that you are trying to stay in office because you know your re-election hopes are dismal. However, for the good of the Republican Party you should resign. A resignation allows the Republicans to appoint through the Mohave County Board of Supervisors a replacement who will have time to gain name recognition and stand a successful chance at re-election. However, not resigning causes term limits to take over, opening the stage to any potential candidate. Furthermore recalling you will result in an open election as well. I hope you reconsider and choose to resign for the good of the party. Otherwise the public clamour will cause a recall to occur amounting to more embarrassment for you and the party. ~Publius
I am happy that no body was killed in the incident.
You are probably in a good position to pull off a comment often used by Alberto Gonzales: "I do not remember".
Excuse me, Anonymous who has chosen to crucify the people who have spoken out here on this blog. You have one heck of a nerve to say that people who got caught drinking and driving prior to Trish getting caught got in trouble was because of their bad karma or the fact that they might not go to church? Are you serious? Those people got caught because they broke the law and were endangering society just like Ms. Groe did. The difference here is they didn't have the pull and the position that Ms. Groe posesses nor are they in control of making the laws for our state!
HENCE TRISH WASN'T A DO GOODER, SHE WAS A TRAIN WRECK EN ROUTE FROM PHOENIX TO HAVASU! AND!!!! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN HER SUSPENDED LICENSE IN CALIFORNIA FOR A PREVIOUS DUI? WAS IT BECAUSE SHE HAD BAD KARMA THAT DAY IN CALIFORNIA? DID SHE MISS GOING TO CHURCH THAT SUNDAY? WERE PEOPLE BLOGGING ABOUT HER BECAUSE SHE GOT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR A FELONY DUI IN ARIZONA AND A SUSPENDED LICENSE IN CALIFORNIA,BECAUSE SHE'S A LAWMAKER? NO!!!! SHE GOT PULLED OVER, ARRESTED, CITED AND LOST HER LICENSE BECAUSE SHE'S AN ALCOHOLIC. YES, EVERYONE LET'S ALL ADMIT IT NOW. TRISH IS AN ALCOHOLIC WHO NEEDS HELP! GOD BLESS YOU TRISH.
Trish caught a break "good for her"? NO GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE SHE DIDN'T KILL ON THE WAY FROM PHOENIX TO PARKER! GOOD FOR THE SHERIFF WHO SPOTTED HER BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY TRAGIC HAPPENED!
Obviously, you are a personal drinking buddy of Trish or you wouldn't have the delusions to attack the good citizens of this state,who by the way, Trish invited here to voice their opinions in regards to her FELONY DUI. HECK, SHE SAID SHE WOULD ONLY TALK ABOUT THIS "ONCE AND ONLY ONCE", so we have come here to talk about it more than once.
We voted her in, we'll vote her out. Heck maybe I'll start a recall petition, and I'll bet you that I'll get more votes than you'll have for Trish's next re-election with her friends and family combined!! LOL!
NOBODY HERE SAID ANYTHING MALICIOUS NOR DID THEY YELL OR CRUCIFY TRISH. REMEMBER, TRISH FULLY ADMITS SHE DID THIS TO HERSELF. One thing I will give Trish credit for is admitting that much. Good job, Trish.
We have a right to judge this because anyone of us who commits this same crime will go to jail and lose many privileges along with many fines. Why should Trish catch a break? ASK ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LOVED ONES TO DRUNK DRIVING WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE THEY WERE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THEIR LOVED ONES DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE AT THE HANDS OF A DRUNK. WAS IT BAD KARMA THAT DAY OF THEIR DEATHS? WAS IT THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY? ASK THE MOTHERS OF MADD. ASK THE STUDENTS OF SADD. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE PRECIOUS, INNOCENT CHILDREN WHO DIED AT THE HANDS OF A DRUNK DRIVER? WHAT DID THEY EVER DO TO ANYONE? ASK EVERY PERSON WHO WAS PULLED OVER IN THIS STATE FOR THEIR CRIME DRUNK DRIVING WHO PAID FOR THEIR CRIMES AND THE FIRST THING THEY'LL DO IS CRY FOUL AND HOW IT'S NOT FAIR FOR THE REGULAR JOE SCHMOE TO PAY FOR HIS/HER CRIMES AND LAWMAKERS CATCH A BREAK. BOO! HISS!
God Bless Everyone Here On This Blog.
Trish, seriously you should address your DUI more than once. It might save a life especially where you are in the position of power to do so. God Bless You Too. Godspeed on your sobriety.
As a member of a family who has lost two dear ones to drivers under the influence of alcohol, I am personally offended that Ms. Groe has received and is still receiving preferential treatment. Shame, shame, shame. I certainly will not vote for her ever again.
I can be critical of Trish and say, "OFF WITH HER HEAD". She is getting special treatment. She could have killed someone. She is a alcoholic. Fire her!!!
Then I reflect on our President of the United States, First Lady and Vice President of the United States. Lets see, the President was pulled over in Maine for drunk driving, then in TX (records sealed) he was pulled over for cocaine possession, First Lady accidently killed her boyfriend while driving her car and Cheney was pulled over for drunk driving. And these people are running our country. Did they get special treatment, YOU BET!!!
One time, my beloved was speeding over 20 miles an hour. The policeman pulled us over and my sweetie started talking to him about the weather. The policeman decided not to give my mate a ticket, told her to slow it down. Yes, you might say my significant other got special treatment.
I can tell you time and time again where I have worked and certain people are treated better, received raises, and others not.
Trish is doing a excellent job. She made a mistake, received treatment and has moved on, HAVE YOU MOVED ON?
We forgave Bush, laura and Cheney. Guess we could forgive Trish and those who cannot? Well, you are the people who have a hard time forgiving yourself. Keep on condeming and being judgmental..btw did you remember to go to church?
Just resign.
You are really an embarassment.
Urge your lawyer to speed this along. Quit wasting our time, money and resources.
You know that you will get special treatment, so take your punishment and get this over with.
Were all so very tired about hearing about how good you think you are.
Dear Sexy,
I think it would be "HOT" if you turned yourself in and did some time in the pokey. Look at all the attention I got although my little Tinkerbell missed me.
After you get out, you can join me at all the fundraisers and maybe you can help me finish my book.
Love ya Sexy,
Paris
Mrs. Trish Groe:
I am not picking on you because of your position or title, but rather stating what i see as very wrong in "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW". I see this as another eye-openner for the great citizens of this country. It does not only show us the truely "UNEQUAL JUSTICE" but also where "Discrimination" really stems from.
Discriminate: 1. to treat someone or something with partiality: with against or in favor of:
Discriminating: 3. establing distinction or inequality.
Discrimination: 2. differential treatment bias.
Everyone knows that our system is broken and many beleive that it needs to be fixed. And many have heard "we our working on fixing the system". And yes many have lost faith in our system!!! And why? Because of the INJUSTICE AND DISCRIMINATION applied by our system.
I see your arrest as a tool to open up the eyes of many and a doorway for many to stop straddling the fence of JUSTICE. Instead of being luke warm, they now can step off the fence to either side, the side of JUSTICE FOR ALL or INJUSTICE FOR ALL. The side of DISCRIMINATION OR NON-DISCRIMINATION. The side of DICTATORSHIP OR FREEDOM. THE side of RIGHT OR WRONG. The choices can go on and on...
And what about this word used so many times "ACCOUNTABILITY". So many words spoken and none apply to those using them!!!
Trish -
The way to get every body of your back is to ask to be treated like everyone else. If it is a day in jail, fines, community service, just do it. Then everyone will be happy. I hear the jail in Parker is where they send 1st time DUI's and it not all that bad. It might do you some good too. You will better understand what the "common" folk have to do to repay society.
Quote:
Anonymous said...
I never had a parking or speeding ticket ever and got a DUI last year when I was camping. They held me in jail for 3 days before I paid bail and got out. I was given the charges while in jail. I then had to go back to jail for 30 days and lost my license for 5 years. I have thousands in fines and a lot of community service hours clearing brush to take care of before they will release me from probation. Probation may last the 5 years I don't have a license. I had to sell my house and move into an apartment by my office. Yes you are getting special treatment.
9:56 AM
Quote:
Anonymous said...
Last anonymous, no way this was a run of the mill DUI. I'm thinking you killed someone.
3:14 PM
________________________________
It actually depends on the county. Maricopa is less severe then, lets say Yavapai county where I got my felony DUI, First time offender, clean driving record, community service holding state level volunteer positions(not elected or paid)leadership positions, fortune 500 exec, had my own LLC, etc. Nobody was injured and no property was damaged and no, I'm sorry to ruin your day but I didn't kill anybody. 33 days in jail, 5 years probation and walking. Do you know what it's like to not have a car in the valley?
I heard you speak at Calvary Baptist Church last year about the state tax monies that could be put towards private schools and you kept saying it was the FEDS program. I wondered why you didn't understand the "state" program and I guess now I totally understand.
To all: Christians aren't perfect, they are forgiven. Being forgiven by God doesn't mean you have no consequences on earth though. Rehab doesn't give you forgiveness either. Have you honestly worked the 12 steps? Others pay dearly for doing the same thing that Trish did. I think anyone who drives that drunk should be convicted of a felony. It doesn't matter that no one got hurt this time or the DUI in 1999. How many is one person allowed to have before they realize what is going on?
Also, you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. It is hard to find a church to fit in because we are all hypocrites, liars, etc.
Hey Sexy B****,
I only did 82 minutes in jail for pleading guilty. Not only that, I got myself preggers so the judge would have mercy on me.
Plead Guilty and you'll be in and out like me!
Love,
Nicole
LOL TRISH! YOU'RE WILLING TO SPEAK WITH ONE YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS IN PERSON, YET YOU DON'T WANT TO COME TO A PUBLIC FORUM IN PERSON AND SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED YOU IN AND THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT AS A WHOLE??? IT BOGGLES MY MIND THAT YOU WILL ONLY SPEAK TO A FELLOW CHURCH MEMBER OR YOUR IMMEDIATE INNER CIRCLE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN PERSON. A TRULY REMORSEFUL PERSON, WHO HAS A DUTY AND A RESPONSIBILITY AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, WOULD SPEAK OUT DIRECTLY TO HER COMMUNITY IN PERSON. DO I NEED TO GET GOOD AND DRUNK, DRIVE AROUND TOWN AND SAY I WANT TO GO TO CROSSROADS AND CALVARY BAPTIST SO I CAN HEAR YOU SAY YOU'RE SORRY? DO YOU REALLY THINK HIDING BEHIIND YOUR COMPUTER AND YOUR LEGISLATIVE DESK EXONERATES YOU ANY FASTER? MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE FORGIVEN YOU LIKE A KENNEDY IF YOU CAME FORWARD SOONER AND TOOK YOUR PUNISHMENT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES THAT BREAKS THE SAME LAW OR ANY LAWS FOR THAT MATTER. YOU'RE A JOKE TRISH, YET NOBODY IS LAUGHING ANYMORE. WE FIND YOU GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!!! WE'RE YOUR JUDGE AND JURY NOW. MAYBE I NEED TO GO TO CHURCH NOW AND CONFESS MY SINS. UNTIL THEN TRISH, STEP DOWN AND CUT THE CRAP. YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT! EVEN YOUR CHURCH FINDS YOU AS AN EMBARRASSMENT. ISN'T IT SINKING INTO YOUR BRAIN YET OR ARE YOU STILL HITTING THE BOTTLE? A JAIL CELL IS SOON TO BE COMING YOUR WAY! YOU COULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING AND THERE'S STILL TIME.
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