Fairfax Council Candidate Faces Police Trouble

As the Marin Indepent Journal discussed at length, and we mentioned in , council candidate Chris Lang has had a history of problems with the police.

According to police reports, he's been arrested for DUI, assault and drug possession. But, according to Lang, the police have had it out for him.

Will this history change how voters view the council candidate?

Among his troubles, according to the IJ:

Earlier this year, on Feb. 1, Lang was arrested by Fairfax police on suspicion of assault and public intoxication after an altercation with another man at the 19 Broadway bar and nightclub in Fairfax. According to the police report, two witnesses said they saw Lang spit in the other man's face.

Lang also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol on Dec. 30, 2009. According to the police report, Lang was driving 10 mph and was stopped because he hadn't turned on his car's headlights. On that occasion, a preliminary alcohol screening test, commonly referred to as a Breathalyzer test, showed he had a blood alcohol level between .091 and .093 percent. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of .08

Lang contests the Fairfax Police Department's account of each of these incidents.

"The Fairfax Police Department does not always stick to the facts. That is the basis of my ongoing problems with them," Lang said. "I've said that in public so they've targeted me."

Read the full article.

You'll be able to watch the debate between Lang, Larry Bragman, and Ryan O'Neil, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, on Channel 27 on Comcast in the coming weeks - courtesy of the Community Media Center of Marin. We will post the Fairfax debate schedule on Patch when it's available and link to the OnDemand debate. Check back.

Don't forget, you can also view the San Anselmo council debate on Ch. 27 today at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m.

As you hear arguments from the candidates, will Lang's history change your opinion of him? Do you think past problems would affect his performance?

, "that's in the past" and "I will never make those mistakes again." And he has served the town successfully in a number of volunteer capacities -- will you vote for Lang?