MOUNT DESERT, Maine — The chairman of the Board of Selectmen was arrested early Sunday morning on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.
Jeffrey T. Smith, 59, was arrested around 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, after police found his car in the ditch off the side of Indian Point Road in the village of Pretty Marsh, Mount Desert Police Chief James Willis said Monday. Pretty Marsh is on the west side of Mount Desert Island.
Willis said Officer Jacob Day located Smith a short time later walking along Indian Point Road. Smith subsequently was arrested for operating under the influence, Willis said.
There was minimal damage to the car, a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, which appeared to be stuck in the ditch, according to Willis.
Smith was taken to the Bar Harbor Police Department, where Mount Desert police officers frequently process people whom they arrest because Bar Harbor has a booking room and holding cells, Willis said. Smith was taken from there to nearby Mount Desert Island Hospital for a blood alcohol test and treatment of minor injuries. Police do not believe the injuries were suffered when the car went off the road, Willis said.
Willis said police had not yet received the results of Smith’s blood alcohol test. The incident still is under investigation, he said.
Smith was released from the Bar Harbor police station a couple hours after his arrest on personal recognizance bail, according to Willis. Smith had to pay a $40 processing fee before he was released.
Smith is scheduled to appear in Ellsworth District Court on Jan. 6, 2009, Willis said.
A message seeking comment left Monday afternoon at Smith’s home phone number was not immediately returned.
Mount Desert Town Manager Michael MacDonald said he spoke with Smith by phone Monday afternoon, and Smith told him he would not attend the board’s regular meeting scheduled for Monday night. He said Smith told him he was unable to attend the meeting because he is on medication that requires 24-hour supervision.
The town manager said Smith apologized for any embarrassment he may have caused the town but had no further public comment.
Smith was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen in March 2007.
MacDonald said Smith served two consecutive terms as a selectman in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Smith then left the board and was elected again in 2004, he said.
MacDonald declined to comment further about Smith’s situation.
“It’s a private matter at this point,” the town manager said.
On 11/4/08 at 6:30 AM,
evasmith wrote:
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The town manager said "it's a private matter?" You have got to be kidding me. Folks used to say that about dometic violence too, thank goodness that isn't the case anymore either.
I wonder what MacDonald would have thought had Smith crashed his car into MacDonald's daughter, instead of a tree? I bet it wouldn't be a private matter then, would it?
Yes, people make mistakes. It isn't a complex formula - if you drink, don't drive. Even a 1st grader learning addition tables can figure that one out.
On 11/4/08 at 7:21 AM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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Yes it is a private matter. None of anyones business.
On 11/4/08 at 7:31 AM,
freedomfighter wrote:
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What the heck is driving under the influence of "intoxicants"? Does that mean he was on heroin or meth or alcohol? Why don't they just call it what it is?
On 11/4/08 at 8:28 AM,
pcme2000 wrote:
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So what they charge you now for getting arrested and being booked "Smith had to pay a $40 processing fee before he was released." ?
It is a private matter.
On 11/4/08 at 11:13 AM,
Hampden1 wrote:
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I'm curious as to how he got home
On 11/4/08 at 11:33 AM,
evasmith wrote:
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pcme 2000 - There is always a bail bond fee. That is what the $40 is for.
All folks who were driving on the same highway as JMr. Smith while he was intoxicated should, since this is NOT a private matter, but a public one, make a victim impact statement when he is either found guilty or enters a guilty plea. Anyone could have been his victim (instead of a tree) and perhaps, since Mr. Smith's town manager does't view it a problem, speak to Mr. Smith about how many lives he could have ruined.
On 11/4/08 at 12:01 PM,
KellyD wrote:
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it would be the wise thing to do to withhold judgment as to Smith's guilt since his blood alcohol level has yet to be determined and he has not been tried and convicted. A little less haste may be a prudent thing.
On 11/4/08 at 1:15 PM,
beresponsible wrote:
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What a joke. When you swear on a stack of bibles to uphold the law than you have no right to privacy when you are breaking the laws. A law is a law no matter who is on the other side of it.
On 11/4/08 at 1:43 PM,
KellyD wrote:
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Since when does an arrest equal a conviction???? You may want to take a class on constitutional law as all defendants walk into their trial with the presumption that they are innocent. However, it's nice to know that you all are judge, jury and executioners all rolled into one!
On 11/4/08 at 5:06 PM,
Harrry wrote:
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beresponsible: If you were ever able to see the list of those well to do, or some other type of official, along with rock stars, pro. ball players, or many of our electede officials, who were charged with an offense, but but never get to trial, it would make you sick. Equal Justice now equals, Bull Shit. A few years ago a young girl said that l had touched her imporoperly about a year and a half earlier, on a Saturday night. and away l went, very swiftly. Now at the very same time, the past mayor, and at that time U.S. Senator, of Bangor was reported by two boys, as being part of a group of funnies to use them as sex toys, at a party. While this was reported in the BDN at the time, the D.A., after an investigation, decided not to prosecute because, according to his statement, Their was not enough evidence to proceed. And one William Cohn, was very thankful for that. Which goes to prove 2 boys do not equal 1 girl.
On 11/4/08 at 6:36 PM,
MoeBolduc wrote:
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Typical two bit politico! Just a local yokel who likes his tea.
On 11/4/08 at 10:19 PM,
confusedmainer wrote:
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I think the town manager should THINK before he speaks..Private Matter.. BAHHHHHHHH!!!!
On 11/5/08 at 8:53 AM,
anonon wrote:
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Now days it is: Guilty till proven innocent (Period).
How many people that have been picked up for DUI or DWI does anybody know that has been found not guilty? Except for Law enforcement,elected officials ect.
I know of a person that had a specialist on the intoxilizer machine who flew in from New York,who has taken them apart,put them back together and studies them thoroughly and he testified that they are very unreliable. The machines may not be callobrated when it's time, or they pick up mouth wash,breath mints, cold medication and if you work around cleaning aresols, that even shows up as alcohol when you breath into it.
My friend also had 2 witnesses that testified in court one being a store clerk, that saw him 15 min before he got arrested that said he was not intoxicated, the other was a waitress at a restaurant who testified that he nothing to dring while there and was fine and sober acting. So goes to show you how crooked our system is.
On 11/5/08 at 9:27 AM,
beresponsible wrote:
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Bottom line we live in a country where money talks and bull shit walks. There was a man that murdered his wife in my neck of the woods and he got out on bail? Yeh right. This is a crazy system we have in place. I got an idea this guy has more money than the common OUI purpotrater. he will get off you wait and see.
On 11/11/08 at 9:42 AM,
anonon wrote:
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Jeff Smith also used to teach street law in my high school, so I think that he is educated about the laws enough to beat the system.
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