North Augusta official apologizes about recent arrest

AUGUSTA - A North Augusta city councilman offered a brief apology then resigned before the start of a council meeting Monday night. <br> <br> Kent Sullivan, arrested on drunken driving charges last week for the second time in 13 months, read a prepared letter expressing his remorse then left the chamber. <br> <br> ``I am deeply disappointed and in tremendous agony over what happened,&#39;&#39; Sullivan said. ``I understand any anger felt toward me and only hope that you can find some forgiveness in your heart.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Sullivan, who served as councilman for 7 years, shocked city officials. There had been no call by residents for his resignation. Rather, the suggestion was made in private, council members said. <br> <br> Mayor Lark Jones said the decision came as a ``complete surprise,&#39;&#39; although ``it was the topic of conversation everywhere you went.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``He&#39;s made the right decision,&#39;&#39; Councilwoman Pat Carpenter said after the meeting. ``He can move on with the healing process.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Sullivan was arrested June 25 after crashing his car into a telephone pole. Police said he failed several sobriety tests and spent the night in jail. He had been convicted in December of drunken driving in May 2001. <br> <br> A special election will be held to fill Sullivan&#39;s spot. No dates have been set.