Well, last week my life ran into something around the corner that was both unwelcome and devastating. As most of you read, I was arrested for DUI last Wednesday night. Not only was this a new experience for me, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time in my life.

I had made flight arrangements to travel back east the next morning to be with my mom, who was scheduled to have major surgery in my hometown in New York. Getting a DUI didn’t help my mounting stress level. But, I must admit, it enlightened me. And, by the way, I’m in New York with my mother and father as I write this column. In fact, had it not been for the very urgent matter of my mother’s surgery, I would have written this column much sooner.

Because of the pressing issue of my mother’s surgery 3,000 miles away, I had to act very quickly upon receiving the DUI. I would not have forgiven myself if I missed my mother’s surgery. Never. My family is my priority, and being so far away from my parents in need has been worrisome in the past few weeks.

Although I feel I was in full possession of my faculties, the truth is that I was arrested, whether or not I like it or believe it. But the purpose of this column, for now, is just to tell you that I am visiting family as I originally had scheduled, and will be returning to work on November 2. I also want to apologize to our community, and to my employees.

I could have used better judgement, and this was a first-time, but worthwhile, learning experience for me. The DUI has prompted me to turn a negative into a positive. I am ready, willing, and able to effectively and positively deal with it.

I consider myself a professional executive whose style is to immerse myself in the community. I also hold myself to a high standard and, as a result, have always held myself accountable for my actions. My DUI will make me stronger. I do believe there is a positive in every negative, and my plan is to learn from my mistake and share my experience so that others will not make the same mistake. Perhaps I can use this experience to help rally community awareness to the consequences of driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated, for example.

I look forward to my return so I can write more about this experience. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and I have learned a lesson from it all. Thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult (and different) time for me. As publisher of the Tahoe Daily Tribune and a public figure who cares very much for the community I serve, I want to share with all of you upon my return what I plan to give back to the community as a result of my experience.

– Gail Powell-Acosta