Maple Ridge Township Supervisor sentenced to 6 months probation, fines
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ALPENA -- Maple Ridge Township Supervisor John Male, 73, was sentenced to 6 months probation for operating while visibly impaired by liquor and fined for disorderly person drunk, causing a public disturbance, and trespassing.
Male was sentenced Thursday in the 88th District Court in Alpena.
He pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 20. The charge of operating while visibly impaired was added as part of the plea deal. Charges of operating while intoxicated, open intoxicants in a vehicle, and a second trespassing charge were dismissed.
The incident occurred on Aug. 23, 2025.
Male was driving a golf cart under the influence on public property. As a result of consumption of alcohol, his ability to operate the golf cart was visibly impaired.
Male agreed that he was a “disorderly person,” in other words that he was not acting as he normally would as a result of consuming alcohol.
Male’s property is juxtaposed to his son’s property. Male crossed over into his son’s property during the incident. On that occasion, Male’s son did not give him permission to be on his private property.
On Thursday, Defense Attorney Dave Funk requested that Judge Alan Curtis follow the sentencing recommendation.
"Probably the most telling thing in the report is (Male) said, 'look I could have handled this better, I handled it badly,' and he's right about that," Funk said.
Male was given a chance to speak and said that the driveway is not a shared driveway, it is his driveway.
Male said he has contacted the police before about his son using the driveway, and they tell him he needs to "prove he owns that land".
"But if I step over the line they're Johnny on the spot to hang me," Male said. "Yet, they can run up and down my doggone driveway 24 hours a day."
He said that his son has his own driveway separate from that one.
Curtis said that Male could speak to his attorney regarding the driveway.
Funk said that he has some property descriptions and a reported easement that he has provided to Ward and said he should be able to give his client some good advice.
Alpena County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nancy Ward did not have anything to say in response prior to sentencing.
Curtis sentenced Male to six months probation with a chance for early termination at three months for the charge of operating while visibly impaired by liquor. He was also fined $250 with other costs and fees.
Male was fined $850 for the charge of disorderly person, with other costs and fees.
He was fined $100 for the charge of trespassing, with other costs and fees.
Male will be subject to on demand alcohol and drug testing while on probation. He cannot consume alcohol or illicit drugs and must stay out of bars.