Reply #6: In other news, Otis, the town drunk, gets arrested - again

[Brother Buzz]

'Otis' Arrested for Obstructing Sidewalk Outside Son's Store

MOUNT AIRY, N.C.
20 May 2011

A man's strife has been causing a stir in Mount Airy after he was arrested while sitting outside his son's business, where he often plays checkers.

According to the Mount Airy News, 63-year-old James Slate was handcuffed outside the Mayberry Country Store, located on North Main Street, for obstructing a city sidewalk on April 21.

Slate, who is known locally for impersonating Otis, the town drunk from "The Andy Griffith Show," was placed in a holding cell until his wife paid a $500 bail, the paper reports.

Slate is scheduled to appear in court on May 31 . However, the former 10-year veteran of the Mount Airy Police Department told the paper that the charges brought against him are unconstitutional.

The paper reports that the officer who made the arrest said Slate had been warned multiple times before to comply with the city's sidewalk ordinance.

The officer said Slate was arrested rather than cited because his son's business had previously been given the same citation for having items on the sidewalk. The officer said Slate should have taken his son's citation as a "warning," according to the paper.

The officer said the city has been enforcing the ordinance more strictly after requests from downtown vendors dating back to last fall.

http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-otis-arrested-110520,0,3471122.story