Ferrysburg councilman cited for drunk driving, marijuana use

Ferrysburg City Councilman Thomas Spoelman was arrested last week for drunken driving, having an open container of alcohol in his car and use of marijuana - according to a police report obtained Monday by the Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The report noted that Spoelman, 54, admitted to smoking marijuana about a half-hour before he was pulled over in the city of Grand Haven on March 19. He also told police that he had consumed four glasses of wine during "band practice" at a Grand Haven Township home just prior to the arrest.

Spoelman was arrested after a police officer witnessed him crossing over into the center turn lane on Mercury Drive in the township, and recorded him traveling more than 20 mph over the speed limit in his 2000 GMC Yukon at around 11:15 p.m., the report says.

Spoelman told the Tribune that he plans to do whatever he can to rectify the situation.

"I truly apologize to all my constituents and anyone else I work with on a professional level," he said Monday. "I may have to consider my future with the council. I really enjoy working on the council. I will consider any recommendation the council may make in response to my situation."

Ferrysburg Mayor Jeff Stille said the City Council plans to let Spoelman handle the situation on his own - at least at this point.

"This is personal matter, which Tom and his family will have to deal with," Stille said. "At this point, it is premature to have any involvement from the Ferrysburg City Council. We will continue to conduct business as usual."

According to the police report, Spoelman turned onto 144th Avenue from Johnson Street in Grand Haven Township in front of Grand Haven Department of Public Safety officer Dana Devries, who was in that area while returning to work from a dinner break.

"I had to brake rapidly to avoid a collision, and continued to follow the suspect vehicle northbound," Devries wrote in the report.

Devries said she followed Spoelman as he continued onto northbound Mercury Drive, where he crossed into the center turn lane several times. The officer later observed Spoelman making a motion in his SUV like he was drinking.

Devries followed Spoelman into the city, where he was traveling 47 mph in a 25 mph zone just past Gidley Bridge, the report stated. Spoelman reduced his speed to 38 mph after rounding the intersection of Waverly Avenue and Friant Street.

Devries said she pulled Spoelman over on Waverly, just east of Eastern Avenue. Devries reported that Spoelman told her that he didn't know a police cruiser was following him.

"It should be noted that while speaking with the driver, (Spoelman) was not able to concentrate, his speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot/watery and (an) odor of alcohol was coming from the vehicle," Devries said in the report, adding that Spoelman was "unable to keep his balance" when he was outside the vehicle for several sobriety tests.

Spoelman's preliminary breath test result showed his blood-alcohol level at 0.086 percent, just above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

The report also stated that Spoelman was asked if he was using illegal drugs, and he responded: "Yes, pot."

Spoelman, who works as a pharmacist at D&W Food Centers in Grand Haven, told the officer he did not take any prescription drugs, according to the police report.

A D&W manager confirmed the company does have a drug policy, but referred further questions to its Spartan Stores human resources department. Attempts to seek comment from Spartan Stores were unsuccessful.

The Michigan Department of Community Health lists Spoelman as a licensed pharmacist. There has never been any disciplinary action taken against Spoelman's license, which expires in June 2009.

Attempts to reach state Community Health officials were also unsuccessful.

"I really feel bad for the whole situation," he said.

According to City Manager Craig Bessinger, Spoelman has no prior issues with the council.

The Ferrysburg charter calls for removal from office "for any act declared by (the) charter to constitute misconduct in office." But the charter only names items directly related to an officer's position, such as voting on a motion with potential personal financial gain or attendance issues, and there is no mention of pending legal matters.

Spoelman said he plans to waive an April 2 arraignment in Ottawa County District Count, and enter a not-guilty plea.