Politics & Government
Poughkeepsie Councilmember-At-Large Resigns After DWI Conviction
Sarah Salem said it was in the best interest of the council to step aside.
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Sarah Salem resigned as Poughkeepsie Common Council chairperson after being convicted Tuesday of a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
They were arrested Feb. 26, 2020, after they went through a Main Street red light and hit another car causing the other motorist to be injured, Mid Hudson News reported.
Salem is scheduled to receive their sentence Nov. 15, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported.
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In a statement, Salem said they believed it was in the best interest of the Common Council to step aside.
They represented the Second Ward for two years before they were elected councilmember-at-large in 2019.
Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A spokesperson for the city said Natasha Cherry, the vice-chairwoman of the council, will take over as chair until a replacement is chosen. The council will be responsible for accepting letters of interest from city residents and selecting someone to fill the vacancy within 30 days from Salem's resignation, which was Tuesday.
Cherry did not respond to Patch's request for comment.
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