US

Mayor Apologizes, Won’t Resign After Three-Day Public Drinking Bender

Sheboygan, Wis. Mayor Bob Ryan, a self-described alcoholic, has apologized after a three-day public drinking spree last weekend, but said he will not resign from office.

Ryan initially downplayed last weekend’s events, but now admits to drinking for several days, passing out in a bar and getting in a fight, the Sheboygan Press reported.

“I regret what I did. It‘s nobody’s fault but my own,” Ryan said. Still, he maintains that several accounts that were reported are untrue, including that he drove his car while drunk and made inappropriate comments to women.

Ryan told Milwaukee’s WHBL radio alcohol has never affected his job performance.

“Alcohol has never affected the way I do my job. Alcohol has affected my personal life greatly,” Ryan said.

Ryan said he‘d been sober for a year before last weekend’s “indefensible” relapse, and claimed he’s received mostly positive calls from residents since it happened.

“Public support has not waned for me,” Ryan said. “Calls into my office are 10-to-1 positive. I have a lot of support from people.”

The city council is slated to take up a resolution Monday on whether to formally ask Ryan to resign. He has said he will begin intensive treatment seminars in the evenings and on the weekends.

Alderman Eric Rindfleisch said asking Ryan to resign would have nothing to do with his alcoholism.

“I would no more remove someone for the disease of alcoholism than I would for the disease of cancer,” Rindfleisch said. “It’s not the alcoholism, it’s the embarrassment issue to the city.”

Comments (122)

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  • 1proudAmerican
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:30pm

    I don’t believe alcoholism is a “disease”, but I also don’t think his drinking affected his job. There are so many who get away with alcohol-related crimes because they are connected, so if justice is to be served, punish all equally. That just won’t happen.

    Report Post »  
    • NUTN2SAY
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:33am

      Alcoholism is the driving force of the world!

      If you consume alcohol you get…..“get out of jail free” cards.

      If you consume something other than alcohol…..YOU GO TO JAIL!

      Report Post »  
    • Chrono_Sleuth
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:53am

      That’s because it is not a disease. It never was, never will be, and the more we allow people to think it is, the worse the problem becomes, because we never actually deal with the symptoms. It is need and an inability to fill that need. There are so many reasons for alcoholism, it never can fit the profile of a disease. The problem is, we never actually treat the symptoms, only divert them to something else, because again, it is not a disease. It is a psychological problem, regardless of the reason, an inability to maintain a sense of self-discipline and awareness. That’s it, really, because there are people who have gotten over alcoholism, and can still take drinks. Something you can never do with current “treatment” practices, which only divert the need and inhibition for self-control to something else entirely.

      Report Post » Chrono_Sleuth  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 1:24am

      Obsession of the mind and craving of the body. One drink turns to two and three turns to four etc….Drink till you drop cause things aren’t getting better…Yeah Baby!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Florida_Freedom_Fighter
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 1:51am

      Alcoholism IS a Disease, ask Glenn or anyone in recovery. Don‘t insult anyone in Recovery and say it’s not a disease, it shows your ignorance. I have 12 years sober. The Mayor should probably resign though……. Also, you you why dying at 27 years old isn’t unusual for addicts, that’s bout when many hit their bottom 27,28,29 …..I got clean at 29… .. it’s a cross-roads point, 10+ years of using, some very heavily, and you either get clean or likely end up Dead, In Jail, or Institutionalized . So the 27 club, to me, isn’t that coincidental.

      Report Post » Florida_Freedom_Fighter  
    • mharry860
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 1:58am

      It’s a choice, I was a functional alcoholic when I snapped my femur in two, two years ago. I chose not to drink, because of the burden I had just placed on my family. Alcohol was not involved, I tried to fly without my dirt bike. I just couldn’t see myself drinking and walking around the house on crutches.

      Report Post » mharry860  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 4:14am

      The is no such thing as alcoholism as a disease. Stop making excuses for what it isn’t. Most people including yourself is to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong. Take that one to the Bank!

      Report Post »  
    • Jack2011
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 6:55am

      I don’t believe it is a disease either.

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 7:42am

      Is that my ex-husband?

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • chazman
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 7:44am

      Sheboygan is a good size town. Shouldn’t be too hard for the Marxist press to hide the drunken antics of this fun loving, democrat mayor! He’s just a big lug!

      Report Post »  
    • drybackinpi
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 8:32am

      If alcoholism is a disease than stupidity is a…wait a minute, you may be on to something

      Report Post » drybackinpi  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 8:34am

      I believe it is a disease. I have never had it but I know many who have. It is a difficult thing to overcome,, and you are not ever not an alcoholic, just sober.

      Congratulations FLORIDA FREEDOM on you time sober. Keep up the good work.

      I don‘t see why the man should be fired if he wasn’t on the job. He had a relapse.So with treatment and will power and desire he can overcome.

      Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 8:36am

      Alcoholism is a disease. It is a disease of mental and physical dependancy just as drug use also is. One may start drinking or drug use for relaxation or recreational purposes BUT in some cases (Especially with drugs) the person becomes hooked on the substance. The body craves the alcohol and it becomes harder and harder to break the addiction. In some cases, the drinking is a way of drowning troubles and forgetting about some problem which is plagueing the person. Trouble is that when the addict sobers up, the problem is still there so they try to drown it again, hence, more dependancy.

      I have the highest respect for those who admit to their alcoholism, face the problem and recover from it. It takes a lot of courage to start and then continue a recovery program. It takes far more fortitude to keep from falling into the trap again once the addict has recovered.

      Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 9:17am

      Public support has not waned for me,” Ryan said. “Calls into my office are 10-to-1 positive. I have a lot of support from people.”
      The whole town must be bunch of drunks…lol
      Here is a basic liberal statement if I ever saw one.. ” “I would no more remove someone for the disease of alcoholism than I would for the disease of cancer,” Sheesh!!! I guess he forgets you can stop drinking but you can’t just stop cancer.. Bunch of idiots over there..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • Ron_WA
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 10:09am

      Alcoholism may or may not be a disease but it must be treated as one would treat a disease if one is to get better. One must choose to get better, seek help, & continue treatment for as long as the condition remains (likely for life).

      Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • Ryan Beaulieu
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 10:15am

      Really, drinking is a disease? Just like being a “sex addict” is a disease. It’s called grow the … up. Nothing is more embarrassing than being a part of a nation that considers indecency and absurd behavior as “diseases.”

      Here is how our nation works. If your a man of power, a figure head, or celebrity than you have a “disease” when it comes to alcohol or your a “sex addict” who needs treatment because someone cheated on their husband or wife. But normal every day people are just belligerent drunks and pieces of sh*t who cheat on their spouse. Got to love the spin.

      Report Post »  
    • USAMama
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 10:23am

      I don’t know the clinical definition of “disease” but I am VERY aware of the grip alcohol can get on someone. My mom is an alcoholic, I grew up in heII. Only when we grew up and started marrying and having families and had an intervention, telling her she would be cut out of our lives and never know her grandchildren, did she clean up her act. After a few years sober I thought she was “cured” and it was ok to enjoy a glass of wine with her from time to time. She handled it well and stopped after 1 or 2 glasses. It seemed harmless. Until recently when my sister called her late one night and found her completely drunk. Apparently she has been hitting the bottle again lately, she admitted it’s been quite frequent and cried because she was so disgusted with herself for going back down that road. From now on we have agreed she must be dry, we can’t even have a social glass of wine with her. It is true: once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. The only way to stay sober is to go completely dry, if someone claims to have been an alcoholic and can still drink “socially” is lying to themselves. They are probably just going home and getting drunk when nobody is around.

      Report Post » USAMama  
    • Just Dave
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:32pm

      A disease is something you can see under a microscope.
      If alcoholism were a disease it would be the only disease that packaged, taxed and licensed for sale by the US government.

      Report Post »  
    • obamanation
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:10pm

      Alcoholism is not a disease. Calling it that takes away responsibility from the drinker… Calling alcoholism a disease makes the alcoholic a victim. Government has decided to take responsibility for everything from of. They make all the decisions now. No more personal responsibility. Thus, we live in an era where everyone thinks they are the victim. I’m sick of this sh*t!!

      Report Post » obamanation  
    • jnobfan
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:58pm

      There are mechanisms in place to remove a public office holder in every community. Many communitys have mayors that are embarrassments worse than this guy. The voters will handle it. Sounds like he didn‘t break any laws and didn’t hurt anyone so who cares. Party on!!!

      Report Post »  
    • walkerfan
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 4:50pm

      As an unfortunate resident of Sheboygan, I can tell you that our mayoral races are non-partisan. Of course candidates are usually supported by one party or the other. In Ryan’s case, he was more heavily supported by Republicans and did not cave to the unions during Wisconsin’s recent political uproar over collective bargaining.

      It is worth mentioning that the City of Sheboygan and our esteemed mayor are currently involved in a lawsuit from a former employee claiming the mayor made sexual advances while he was drunk. Guilty or not, the mayor has exposed the City because he was so blasted drunk. Do those of you who say this behavior does not affect his job really believe that? This man has just exposed the City yet again with this going to court in the very near future.

      Report Post »  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Typical politician, screws up big time. Tells everyone go to hell. I’m not leaving.

      Report Post » Sicboy  
    • getalong
      Posted on August 2, 2011 at 12:13am

      Someone told me once that alcoholism is an allergy of the body that becomes an obsession of the mind. I think that accurately describes it.

      Report Post »  
  • dcwu
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:24pm

    He’s no alcoholic. They go to meetings.

    Report Post »  
    • dave928
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:18am

      AA is for quitters…. Seriously, some people just can’t handle it. Alcohol that is. I like to knock a few back every once in a while but there’s just no way I could function doing it all the time. I’ve seen alcohol ruin people lives too.

      Report Post »  
    • Jediusetheforce
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 4:21am

      Yeah, when you quit your dead…Dead Men Tell no Tales!!! Keep coming back it Works Jack!!

      Report Post »  
  • UBETHECHANGE
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:18pm

    Prime candidate for AA, a great program! Get your act together Mayor.

    Report Post »  
  • frankee47
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:13pm

    omg, with all this country is going on with,why do you think a drunk a–ho-e has any meaning?
    l

    Report Post »  
    • USAMama
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 10:43am

      It’s about character, we need to start electing people of character and honor. Our young people see this and think it’s ok to drink and act stupid, after all our “leaders” do it with no real consequences.

      Report Post » USAMama  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:09pm

    Only good Democrat is a sleeping one!

    Report Post »  
  • annieo
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:05pm

    FYI, He IS a Democrat.

    Report Post » annieo  
    • kohler_hvk
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 12:48am

      He’s not a Democrat he ran against Terry Van Akkeren for mayor, who is a Democrat. I believe he doesn’t represent any party.

      Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 9:34am

      @KHOL.. You’re right, I, unliked people on here that just assume ASS-U-ME checked to see what party and he is NP meaning, non partisan… No party affiliation, yet there you go, you have people on here just yelling He IS a democrat and they don’t even know, nor do they bother to check .. It’s because the story is on the blaze and if it is, well, the blaze always trashes democrats, so he must be one, right ? Otherwise they wouldn’t even bother with the story.. Amazing how people don’t heed Glenns warniing CHECK THE FACTS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH .. WOW !!!!

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • USAMama
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 10:39am

      One year food rations

      I have seen plenty of articles on here about Republicans acting stupidly as well as Democrats. Remember the idiot who got drunk and stole a neighbors truck, crashing it in their yard (or something like that)? Maybe you just seek out the stories about Democrats, but I have definitely seen stories on both parties on this site.

      Report Post » USAMama  
    • flyright
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 2:25pm

      Hey Ya’ll~ Just FYI, most ‘Mayorships’ are Non Partisan offices but those who hold them are affiliated with a party. Just like here in Vegas, the office is NP but the person never is……

      Report Post » flyright  
  • mooredist
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:02pm

    cant be in charge of the police and be a guy who disapears on drinking binges. sorry bud. your job is too important to your little town..get rehab.

    Report Post »  
  • princessnutsack
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:59pm

    LOVE that pic of him passed out. That is great.

    Report Post » princessnutsack  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:57pm

    Sounds like an all American guy.. He gets a second chance!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • Dudley Do-Right
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 5:22pm

      His second chance was his years sobriety that he blew on this binge. That would make this his third chance. How many chances do you give an alcoholic? Let’s enable him some more!

      Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:50pm

    Will Power mr Mayor {R} {D } Will Power

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Disnylv
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:58pm

      Ban, I agree, speak with Glenn Beck on this issue Also you can working with the mayor of Portland Oregon Sam Adams, he always is embarressing us.

      Report Post »  
  • BeckaBrwnEyes
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:50pm

    This man states that alcohol has never affected his job? He was stoned out of his mind for three solid days! As Mayor of a city, I think that might be a problem? Resigning shouldn’t be left up to him. The citizens should have a legal way to remove him from office and get a sober idiot in there. All politicians are idiots, but the least we can expect is that they be sober when they destroy everything.

    Report Post »  
  • sooner12
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:42pm

    Those 9 out of every 10 are fellow drunks.

    Report Post »  
  • Smoke Ranch
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:34pm

    A disease? A disease is when you get cancer or diabetes. Being an alcoholic and calling it a disease is the easy way out. Not facing up to the problem and looking for easy answers only makes the one with the problem more pathetic. Having had personal deamons to deal with in my life, I only know to well. I would hope this person the best and he should get some help. But before you can help yourself, you just have got to want to quit your habit more than anything else. But calling a personal trait like alcoholism a disease just cheapins those who truely have a disease.

    Report Post » Smoke Ranch  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:44pm

      Totally frikkin agree! You CHOOSE to lift the cup, brother!

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • JayCee
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:29pm

      Addiction is a chronic disease that requires treatment.
      Left untreated the disease of addiction will surely lead to death, just as will the disease of cancer.
      Amy Winehouse et al.

      Report Post »  
    • pollyanna
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 6:01pm

      I don’t know…there is physical disease. There is emotional and mental dis-ease…the latter will self medicate. It’s a crap shoot. Do any of you judges know families with generations of alchies?
      @JayCee thumbs up. I am surprised at all of the hate, just as I was surprised at the venom toward the singer from England who lost her fight with addiction…Shame on all of us for our lack of compassion. I ass-ume we believe we are all are without sin? Take your own personal inventory and see how you stack up in the “love your brother‘s and sister’s.

      Report Post » pollyanna  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:28pm

    I tried looking online, is he a Republican or a Democrat? Oh, that’s right, he’s an Alcoholic. Voted for
    Beam, Daniels, Bacardi and all the rest. Get ye back to rehab least ye kills a constituent.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • bkfirvine
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:14pm

    The Sheboygan Press exhibits to us their integrity by not disclosing the political affiliation of this drunkard mayor. Surely that piece of information is irrelevant to this story.

    Report Post » bkfirvine  
    • angelcat
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:37pm

      It is only irrelevant if he is a Democrat. If he is a Republican, it would be considered relevant and his name will probably only appear with a huge R after it. Since the political affiliation is not mentioned, either there is no formal political affliliation or he is a Democrat – or at least that is what is true about 99% of the time these days.

      Report Post »  
    • Zer0
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:51pm

      Definitely a Democrat. Couldn’t find his party affiliation after 20 minutes of searching!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:14pm

    Grant,Churchill,all The Kennedys.If it has not effected his job….

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • Highland
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 7:31am

      To an alcoholic, the only “job” is getting the next drink. Work, family and everything else are a distant second.

      Report Post » Highland  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 9:40am

      @ZERO.. Ummm , go to wikipedia page and put in the name of town and state and look there , was real easy to find out who the mayor was, and to see that he was ( NP ) No party affiliation.. Trust me it’s not hard, I found it on the first try..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:11pm

    All alcoholics deny that the drink affects their performance,

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • libwhacker
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:11pm

    I would drink to if i had the nuts running the country we have now i dont blame him at all.

    Report Post » libwhacker  
  • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:10pm

    If the people don’t have a problem with him, what’s the problem?

    Report Post »  
  • busterpuddles
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:08pm

    Yeah, he should just leave quietly. Though, it does sound like the actions of a democrat, not leaving office after showing dreadful behavior giving us a taste of what he’s really like.

    Report Post » busterpuddles  
    • ScienceIsNotEvil
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:46pm

      You are correct that he appears to be a Democrat the complete and total lack of anything homosexual in this rules out him being a Republican.

      Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:07pm

    He should resign. There is no comparison between an alcoholic who chooses to continue his disease vs a cancer patient.

    Report Post »  
  • mike119
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:07pm

    Whats the big deal pelosi obama and ried have been running things like a drunk for 3 years.

    Report Post »  
  • MODEL82A1
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:05pm

    No mention of the mayor’s political affiliation….. Here’s a good opportunity to practice doing your own homework

    Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:05pm

    A three day bender does not equate to a functioning alcoholic!

    Report Post »  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:01pm

    R? D?

    None of the sources I saw specified, so I think it’s safe to assume he is NOT an R.

    Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
    • Divineliberty
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:08pm

      most mayors are non party

      Report Post » Divineliberty  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:13pm

      Whatever you do, assume, do not research.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
    • TheGreyPiper
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 10:21pm

      Where I’ve lived, mayors were party-affiliated.

      I dunno if the 2nd comment is meant to be snarky or not. I did a brief search of 4 or 5 different sites, none of which mentioned party affiliation. Given media bias, certain reasonable conclusions may be drawn from that.

      He may not be a D, but I would risk hard cash* that he is not R.

      *Any combination of coins (“hard cash”) up to the amount where folding cash takes over.

      Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
    • JayCee
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:47pm

      Who cares?
      Addiction has no race, gender, religion or party affiliation.

      Report Post »  
    • Jack2011
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 7:06am

      The late night comediennes are making fun of him – THAT is a definite clue he is a republican.
      The LSM is calling for him to resign – THAT is a definite clue he is a republican.

      Plus, I read that he is a republican who beat the democrat in the last cycle of elections.

      People fall off the wagon and while I don’t think alcoholism is a disease, I don’t think what he did was enough to get him fired. A scuffle – come on. That was probably a set up by some reporter who wanted to get a story.

      Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 1, 2011 at 9:45am

      WOW JUsT WIKIPEDIA THE DAMN TOWN AND STATE, IT SAYS THERE….IT’S THE FIRST THING I DID TO FIND OUT AND IT WAS RIGHT THERE IN PLAIN SITE… HE IS ( NP ) NO PART AFFILIATION.. CHRIST !!!!!

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
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