By Press Times Staff
HOBART – Rich Heidel, Hobart village president, was arrested for an alleged third drunken driving offense early Friday, Feb. 1.
According to Wisconsin’s online court database system, Heidel was stopped by a Brown County Sheriff’s deputy.
Heidel, 66, has previous OWI charges from July 6, 1997, and Nov. 8, 2005. He was found guilty both times.
In 2005, Heidel had his license suspended for 14 months, paid $1,000 to the court, was sentenced to 20 days in jail, completed an alcohol assessment and attended a drunk driving impact panel.
An article from Madison.com on the 2005 OWI said Heidel struck a center island at a De Pere intersection and his licence plate was found at the scene. He was found in his stalled vehicle.
Details of the 1997 OWI were not immediately available online.
Heidel has been village president since September 2003. He also leads the Brown County Taxpayers Association, a nonprofit group.
The penalties for a third offense OWI include 45 days to one year confinement, license revocation for two to three years and/or 24/7 sobriety requirement for one to three years.
Heidel released the following statement:
“I take full responsibility for my conduct and I am terribly sorry that my actions put others at risk. Fortunately, no one else was involved and no one was injured. Words of sorrow and contrition are never enough; one’s actions are what really speak. I’ve always been honest in admitting that I’m a recovering alcoholic and have been for many years with many good years of sobriety behind me. Like most diseases, sometimes the individual comes out of remission or relapses. Now I’m returning to my recovery program to help me lead a completely sober life again, a day at a time.”
Heidel was released after posting a $850 bond. He is scheduled to next appear in Brown County court Feb. 26 for a pre-trial conference. He has entered a not guilty plea.