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Monticello Mayor Arrested On DWI Charge

MONTICELLO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The mayor of Monticello was out on bail Sunday night after being arrested again -- this time charged with driving while intoxicated.

As CBS 2's Steve Langford reported, the arrest has sparked calls in the Sullivan County village for Mayor Gordon Jenkins to resign.

Jenkins was taken into custody after showing up to take a look at a serious car accident on Main Street on Saturday night. A volunteer firefighter noticed the mayor looked drunk, according to police, and notified law enforcement. Jenkins was arrested on the spot.

The mayor was charged with DWI, refusing a Breathalyzer, obstruction of justice and criminal mischief for allegedly breaking a clock inside the police station. Jenkins spent Saturday night handcuffed to a chair in the police headquarters before being released on $2,500 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Village Trustee Carmen Rue, one of the mayor's leading critics, said Jenkins has a history of legal and criminal problems.

"I really call at the mayor to resign," she said. "He cannot perform his duty as an acting manager nor even as a mayor. And it's a shame that the community has to suffer for this."

Jenkins pleaded guilty three years ago for selling knock-off sneakers at his local store. He was arrested again last year for allegedly hitting a police officer.

Jenkins also raised eyebrows earlier this year when he appointed his longtime girlfriend to the village Board of Trustees.

"He should have been out of office a long time ago," one resident told Langford.

"We all do make mistakes," said another resident. "We're not perfect."

There was no answer when Langford knocked on the door of Jenkins' home Sunday.

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