UPDATE THURSDAY 10.30AM:
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BENDIGO mayor Peter Cox has released a statement following councillor Mark Weragoda's admission yesterday that he had lost his license for drink driving:
Council last night met and has accepted Cr Mark Weragoda’s unreserved apology for drunk driving and initially denying his actions.
It is disappointing that some members of our community have failed to understand the drink driving message.
Drink driving is a serious issue but council agreed Cr Weragoda’s conduct has no direct connection to council business and is seen as a personal issue.
It is difficult to compare this matter with the decision to refer Cr Elise Chapman to a Councillor Conduct Panel, as it was the view of a group of councillors that her actions related to council business.
However it is possible Cr Weragoda could still be referred to a Councillor Conduct Panel should a Councillor or group of councillors elect to do so.
UPDATE:
Mayor Peter Cox has expressed his disappointment after learning of Cr Weragoda's misconduct.
"He has obviously made a mistake," he said.
"We are clearly not getting through to members of the community about drink driving.
"As a community leader he should know better.
"It is very disappointing that (the council) had to find out the way we did."
Mayor Cox said council would deal with the matter seriously and would consider Code of Conduct procedures.
"The whole affair is just very disappointing," he said.
UPDATE:
Leonie Weragoda was caught at 9pm on Friday at a Random Breath Testing site on Thompson Street.
She recorded a blood alcohol percentage of .098 and had her licence cancelled for six months and was fined $443.
Both were in the car at the time she was stopped.
Mr Weragoda was caught with a blood alcohol reading of .125 just 50 metres from the RBT site at 10pm.
He had been waiting for a taxi with his car but decided to drive his car after failing to be picked up.
He had his licence suspended for 12 months and was fined $627.
Under new laws enforced from October 1, 2014, both drivers will have an alcohol interlock device fitted to their car for a minimum period of six months from the date their licence is restored.
EARLIER:
CITY of Greater Bendigo councillor Mark Weragoda has lost his licence for drink driving.
After denying such, the Bendigo councillor today issued a statement, which reads:
"ON the evening of Friday March 6, I was caught drink driving and have subsequently lost my licence for 12 months.
I unreservedly apologies to my family, friends and the greater community for my actions. As the advertising slogan states ‘I am a bloody idiot’, at 55 years of age, I should have known better.
I acknowledge my actions could have had a disastrous outcome not only for myself but to other road users or pedestrians. Driving drunk is unacceptable and careless.
I also unreservedly apologise of initially denying my actions. I was totally embarrassed by what I had done. What I did was wrong.
As a community leader, I will need to rebuild the community’s trust and faith in me.''
Councillor Weragoda originally denied being involved with police at the weekend.
Mr Weragoda told the Bendigo Advertiser he had attended the Bendigo International Madison on Friday night but had not encountered police.
He said he had then attended the Trove Makers Market on Saturday evening in support of his daughter.
He said neither he or his wife had been involved with police over the long weekend period.