Juneau Assembly candidate reflects on old DWI and DUI

Norton Gregory
Norton Gregory. (Photo by Tripp J. Crouse/ KTOO)

Juneau Assembly candidate Norton Gregory was convicted of a misdemeanor DWI in 2001 and a misdemeanor DUI in 2005.

According to charging documents, Gregory was driving while intoxicated on Egan Drive near Fred Meyer in 2001. He was 22.

Four years later, he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence on Egan Drive. Charging documents say he was driving about 85 mph. He was fined $3,000.

Gregory responded to a request for an interview with a written statement:

“I took the consequences of that poor judgment, and in the process learned a lot about myself. Looking back, I have to be grateful for the additional compassion these circumstances lent me toward those who struggle with addiction/alcohol abuse and those who go through our criminal justice system. Impaired driving is a community safety concern, and I feel fortunate/blessed no one was injured.

“As I reflect on the matter and what I have learned as a result of the DUIs, it became clear to me that we are all in control of how we affect our community. I made a conscious decision to take control of my own trajectory, and whether it will have a positive or negative effect on me, my family, and my community. Every day I am learning and am always working to make better choices, to become a more responsible person, and to try to be a positive role model in my community. I have learned from my mistakes, have learned to forgive myself, and work every day to be the best person that I can be.

“In closing, please let this serve as a reminder to those in our community to always have a plan to get home safely if you chose to consume alcohol. Remember that you have the ability to make choices that will have a negative or positive effect in your own life and the life of others. I choose the latter.”

Gregory is running for the area-wide seat on the Juneau Assembly against incumbent Kate Troll.

The assembly oversees the head of the city’s law department, which generally handles misdemeanor DUI prosecutions. The assembly also oversees the city manager, to whom the chief of police answers.

The municipal election is Tuesday, Oct. 4.

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