Cherokee Schools Spokesman Out After DUI Arrest
The district is mum on the details.
After his third DUI arrest in Cherokee County, in which he claimed to have just left Sheriff Roger Garrison's house, Cherokee County School District spokesman Mike McGowan is out of that job.
He was on extended leave after the Dec. 17 incident, but district spokeswoman Carrie Budd just released this statement:
"The Cherokee County School District is currently advertising the Director of Public Information, Communications and Partnerships position. Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo, Superintendent of Schools, noted that the incumbent in this position, who is on extended leave, will not be returning to the School System in that capacity."
So will McGowan return to the district in another capacity?
"None of that has been determined," Budd said. "As we have stated repeatedly, he is on leave. That means he is still employed. It is a basic labor premise."
Budd said the district would not make additional statements.
Monday, Patch confirmed that McGowan had a fourth DUI arrest, in Pickens County on Feb. 28, 2008. Authorities there said he was released the next day.
No one answered the door at McGowan's Thorntree Lane home just after 1 p.m. Monday.
McGowan's hearing for his Dec. 17 hearing is Thursday. He pleaded guilty to his 1998 and 2003 Cherokee County DUIs and paid a $1,000 fine, served a 12-month probation and completed 24 hours of community service, according to the Court of Clerks records.
Check back with canton-ga.patch.com, hollysprings.patch.com and woodstock.patch.com for updates on this breaking news story.
Camille C. Spencer
3:49 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011
good story, rodney!
Bill Jackson
7:16 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011
His job description has changed to "Dr. P's personal escort"! The only way that he is able to keep his job is because he knows too much "dirt" on Dr. P and the rest of the crooks in the county office. PATHETIC!!! Fire the drunken fool!!!!!!!!
Bill Jackson
7:27 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011
UNBELIEVEABLE! He is still employed but on leave. The district did not mention that he is on PAID leave. We all know that he's on vacation, drinking beer and hanging out with the local sheriff (in case he needs to borrow his pants) at a strip club!
Should he be fired??? YES!!!! He should have been gone after the first DUI but that was covered up just like him leaving the county during work hours with Dr. P to go to strip clubs!! Truth!!
Jenny Howard
11:00 am on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
It is a sad situation. Everyone makes mistakes. No human is perfect. However, being in a position that is related to our children's education, it seems there should be a certain level of scrutiny when it comes to public offenses. Sadly, though, there are plenty of officials in much higher government positions who get caught doing much worse and still maintain their positions.
yo' sista
7:30 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2011
He comes into the restaurant where i work ALL THE TIME for lunch. He is arrogant and rude. He treats none of the people who serve him with respect (except the buisness owner, that is..) and of course he's sure to buy a beer or two to go with lunch...then back to work he goes. Sheriff Garrison was in on it too, im sure. On the video footage from the police car he was saying (slurring) that he was wearing the Sherriffs' pants. I can't say that i've given out too many pairs of pants in my lifetime but i would imagine it would be under very few circumstances...1. my friend pissed themselves (drunk people do that!) 2. They puked on themselves (drunk people do that too!!) In that case, he knew Mike Mcgowen was drunk when he left his house. Garrison fed him the beer... uhhh, friends don't let friends drive drunk. right, mr sheriff? wrong. Thats only for us idiots. huh?
mom
1:28 pm on Saturday, February 12, 2011
Wouldn't that make him a habitual violator? In which case he should do time in jail like every else has to! I'm thinking 12 months at least!