Anderson, who has been the city manager since December of 2010, did not return a phone call by the Dayton Daily News, but Rich Hopkins said Anderson was “out socializing and had some alcohol.”
Hopkins would not comment on where Anderson was before being stopped, but said that he was by himself and that the traffic stop may have occurred sometime shortly before 2 a.m.
“Mr. Anderson has informed the city that he intends to take full responsibility for this action, which he acknowledges to be a very serious matter,” Hopkins said in a statement issued late Friday afternoon. “He extends his apologizes to the people of Vandalia, the Vandalia City Council and the employees of the city of Vandalia.”
Anderson’s online case file in the municipal court said that he refused the DUI Test and that Vandalia Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Heck, who reports to Anderson, recused herself from the case.
“Obviously, he used poor judgment,” said Robert Ahlers, city councilmember. But, “Rob is a good man, good citizen and he just made a mistake.”
Ahlers declined to comment on any possible discipline issued by the council.
“I don’t feel that there is any intent by the council to take any action against him,” said David Gerhard, another council member. “Rob Anderson has always been an exemplary employee. He has done nothing, but a great job and we expect that he will continue to do so.”
Gerhard also said that he feels Anderson made a mistake and is taking responsibility for his actions. “I am sure he will learn a lesson from this and it will never happen again,” he said.
Monday also is the scheduled date for Anderson’s performance evaluation with city council.
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