GARFIELD — John Cody was fired from his job with the city of Garfield Friday after being arrested Tuesday prior to the Pea Ridge City Council meeting.

After an executive session lasting more than an hour, the Garfield City Council came back with a verdict of “terminate immediately” for Cody, Garfield water and street superintendent.

Cody was arrested Tuesday,April 20, for driving on a suspended driver’s license when he was driving a Garfield-owned city vehicle to the regular meeting of the Pea Ridge City Council. The license was suspended after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and refusal to submit March 16.

The state form presented to persons arrested for DWI states that the “suspension, revocation or disqualification of your driving privilege will begin at midnight of the 30th day from the date of arrest. You have the right to an administrative hearing ... within 20 days from your request for hearing. You must request a hearing within seven calendar days of this notice being given.”

Cody did not request a hearing prior to the deadline and his license was suspended April 16.

Garfield Mayor Laura Hamilton called the special City Council meeting for 6 p.m. Friday, April 23, to discuss personnel. All five council members were present at the meeting.

Cody, in addition to being a member of the Pea Ridge City Council, is a candidate in this year’s Justice of the Peace race to represent District 7. He has been employed with the city of Garfield for three years.

The vote for termination was favored by all but one councilman, Dale Watkins. Watkins had no comment on his decision to vote against the motion, saying only “This is an executive motion, not for the public.”

News, Pages 1 on 04/28/2010