"I Am the Law"

This may very well have been a misunderstanding; however, the attitude revealed by Mr. Smith's statement is very disconcerting:  "I am the law."  Unfortunately, there are too many in government at every level that have adopted this attitude.  So many government officials have lost site of the fact that they are our representatives, not oligarchs who rule from position and title.  The law cannot be one person or a small group of people Mr. Smith.  The law must be of the people, by the people and for the people. 

I am hearing that major things are not being mentioned here. I will have more on that late tonight or tomorrow. But if what I heard is even close too true than we have a serious problem with what has been reported.

Has anyone spoke to any of the people involved? This is when voters should feel able to call council members who at this time represent them and ask questions. I have know answers to calls not being returned. I do feel an effort should be made to go thru a chain of command,so the question is clear and consistent. First week of the new year, was hoping for a little change towards positive headlines.

Typical Middletown!   Middletown sucks and most the people that live there is trying to get out.

I was at Applebee's when this incident occured and was actually a witness for the police later in the evening.  I also read the article in the paper and have some comments concerning it.

1) This occured at right around 10pm not 11:30 pm as stated in the paper.

2) As soon as my brother and I walked into the restaurant and sat down I noticed AJ Smith sitting at the bar with 4 other people.  This is because of the fact that he and Mr. Robinette (who I did not recognize at the time) were being very loud and, I felt, obnoxious at times especially towards the waiter/waitress(s).  -- Now, while the newspaper states AJ had only two beers, I am fairly certain/thought that I saw him consume 2 and order a third, the latter being the one surrounding the issue; however I could most certainly be wrong.  Understand, I don't normally count how many drinks any one person has, however as this was a city councilman, I felt the need to allow my mind the chance to "sink the situation in" so that I could remember what not to do if I should ever feel the need to run for public office.  But I digress....

3) In order to answer the question concerning the "incident regarding the female acquaintance" from an earlier post, our table was next to where AJ Smith et al were sitting.  I overheard the young lady complaining about how he (I'm not sure if she was referring to Councilman Smith or Mr. Robinette) was telling/asking her to take her clothes off at the bar.  This is when the waitress told Mr.Smith to move or leave Applebee's.  This ended up being confirmed later while I was sitting at the bar waiting for the police to arrive.

4) As my brother and I left Applebee's, AJ Smith walked out right behind us.  A few seconds later the waitress came running out after him.  I thought she did this because he was 1) leaving the restaurant and walking in public with an open container (the third beer I mentioned above), and 2) going to get into his vehicle with that beer in his hand and drive off.  I had no idea that she thought he had stolen it.   Unfortunately I am unable to confirm or deny whether he said "I am the law," because at this point they were on the driver's side of his vehicle and I was unable to see or hear anything that happened.   He then got into his vehicle as she walked away, gunned his vehicle into reverse (literally miss hitting her by about a foot), and drove off.  My brother and I got the license plate number and walked back inside as she was calling the police.

He was drinking Heineken bottles not the tall beers that they offer at Applebee's.  I know, I was also there.

I have had many conversations today with many people around the city, I have spoken to Aj Smith and heard his version of the night in question I have also spoken to an employee from Applebees that was there and served Aj and witnessed the incident first hand.  I am not going to go into what was said by either of them….YET!!

 

But people this (in my opinion) is a serious issue that needs to have the full story told. That’s all I have for now….FOR NOW!!

There was another person there with Aj and Mike; I am told it was an older black guy. Can you confirm that? And can you tell me who that person left with??

When my brother and I walked in there were five people sitting there, City Councilman Smith, Mr. Robinette, the "female acquaintance," her acquaintance, and yes, an older black gentleman.  I honestly have no idea who he was nor who he left with.  Mr. Robinette and this gentleman both seemed to disappear a short while after the waitress told Mr. Smith that he would have to move or leave.  I'm not saying that he left the building as it would appear Mr. Robinette did not because according to the article he paid the tab that AJ Smith left; however, I am saying that I did not see what happened to those two gentlemen because at that time I was paying my bill, watching the tv, getting ready to leave, etc.

i no a.j. and i think we should wait and get his side of the story before you all crucifiy him. even tho he dont owe anybody anything. this is personal. you all act like sharks with blood in the water when he has PERSONAL problems. nobody is perfect.  wait for the facts!!! 

Just for your information there MOM, I posted the above post!

vannestmom, you and your kind represent how far our society has fallen in the last three decades.  Not accountable, not responsible, living off my tax money to support your many kids, always making excuses for poor behavior.

Actually VannestMom you did say he had personal problems..

  "this is personal. you all act like sharks with blood in the water when he has PERSONAL problems."

You also state that everybody who has made comments on this blog are assuming when it comes to the incident at Applebee's and that we should get AJ's side of the story.
   1) I'm not assuming because I actually was at Applebee's and was a witness to the incident itself.
   2) The writer of the story which appeared in the Middletown Journal consulted with City Councilman Smith concerning the incident and got his side of the story prior to writing the article.
   3)I know what happens when one assumes, however, because the councilman was in fact drinking while at Applebee's (which he has stated), and because alcohol affects every person differently, I have to assume that his recollection of the incident may be somewhat construed.
   4)While these are personal problems, and he obviously does have personal problems considering his past history that was also splashed across the front of the newspaper.... he is still a city councilman, and is therefore going to be, and should be, held to a higher standard.  As a representative of not only his ward, but also the city and community in which he lives, he should realize that during his time in office he will always be held in the public eye.  This, and past incidents, tell me that he is still too immature to be "running the city."

Here's a thought, this forum has had responses to issues from council folks and school board people. I greatly appreciate their responses to issues that we have discussed. Since they all read what goes on here, lets see if AJ has the stones to tell his side of the story here. He will probably have to wait until his handlers get back in town to write his response for him.