Morinelli faces DUI charge
By Nadine Parks
Morinelli
Charleston City Councilwoman Deborah Morinelli was arrested and charged with drunken driving on Friday afternoon in West Ashley after a single-car wreck on S.C. Highway 61.
Few details were available late Friday, but police said Morinelli, 54, was involved in a single-vehicle wreck about 1:30 p.m. on S.C. Highway 61 at Plainview Road.
Her vehicle went off the road and into a ditch, said Charles Francis, police public information officer. He said she was charged with driving under the influence and with having an open container.
She was taken to Medical University Hospital to be checked, but she was not injured, officials said.
Morinelli remained late Friday at the Charleston County Detention Center and is expected to have a bond hearing this morning.
The second-term councilwoman represents District 2, a large section of West Ashley bordered by Bees Ferry Road, Interstate 526, the Stono River and S.C. 61.
It is not known whether she plans to run for re-election in November, but she said in 2005 that she would serve only four more years.
Morinelli is a grass-roots community leader who began her political career as the president of her neighborhood association.
In her first term, she concentrated on transportation and traffic issues and was in the forefront of efforts to establish park-and-ride centers that would enable commuters to take the bus to work, thereby easing traffic in West Ashley.
Morinelli is the city's former mayor pro tem.
Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
MP (anonymous) says...
Maybe she should have used one of the "Park N Rides" she fought so hard for.
June 27, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
Move her from Council to Lil' Joe's City Court bench.
June 27, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
she should run for president, sounds like osama's resume with the community organizer etc... except she is an alky instead of a dope head like osama was
June 27, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
She was an idealistic community organizer with high hopes of changing the city.
Unfortunately she realized too late that the city's "Mayor for Life" only needed her to rubber stamp his edicts and she has been reduced her present sad state.
June 27, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
I am not a fan of public officials who do what they should not, but I sincerely believe she is a good woman who slipped up. I am glad no one was injured. I have attended City Council meetings and seen her in action and observed that she is always willing to stand up for what she thinks is right. I have heard that she is Riley's rubberstamp, but I think there is substance there as well. I can only say that I wish her the best in this difficult time. I would much rather see Riley out of city gouvernment than her!
June 27, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
At least Obama only smokes. She could have killed someone and needs to be removed from office. Wine-o.
June 27, 2009 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
There is substance in this lady, but the behind the scenes battles caused by Joe Riley's domination of the city council have stressed her out beyond reason.
Unfortunately it has also contributed to her demise which is no excuse for DUI when the potential can be so deadly.
June 27, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
membermike (anonymous) says...
looks like council woman Morinelli needs a babysitter......
June 27, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sark (anonymous) says...
The most impressive thing about this story is that it was 1:30pm.
June 27, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
That's no lady, that's Stephen Colbert!
June 27, 2009 at 11:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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