Ferryman says he won’t resign

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT-MESA -- Trustee Wendy Leece admonished Jim Ferryman on Tuesday

for his drunk driving conviction and demanded for the third time that he

resign from the school board.

Ferryman pleaded guilty to one count of drunk driving on Monday and

was sentenced to two days of jail time, which has already been served and

three years of informal probation.

Ferryman countered Leece’s demand with a defiant “no.”

“For the third time, I am not going to resign,” Ferryman said. “I will

not be run out of town by you or your little band of followers.”

After he was arrested Sept. 27, Ferryman announced his decision to

remain on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board and was

supported by most of his colleagues.

Ferryman said he will try to focus on doing positive things for the

rest of his term, which will expire in November, but he will not seek

reelection.

He also said he is prepared to suffer the penalties of his conviction,

which include a fine of $1,241, attending a three-month alcohol treatment

program and having his driver’s license restricted for 90 days.