Councilman Absent From City Meetings

— Councilman John Cody has not attended a City Council meeting since February.

“Every time I go to council, I get arrested,” Cody said Tuesday, “and I have the legal stuff going on.”

He said he has no plans to resign, but will let “the proper channels” know if he moves out of the city or resigns.

“I’ve been in touch with them at City Hall,” Cody said.

Mayor Jackie Crabtree said he has not heard from Cody since the April meeting.

Cody was arrested the nights of both the March and April council meetings. He notified city officials the night of the March meeting he was ill, then came to City Hall for the meeting which had been canceled. He was arrested in connection with DWI and refusal to submit.

He drove to the April meeting in a Garfield city truck and was arrested in connection with driving on a suspended license.

Cody, contacted Tuesday, said he is in town and staying with a friend, but refused any other comment. He refused to meet for an interview, but insisted he is in Pea Ridge.

His house phone is disconnected. City water service to his house was disconnected July 19, according to records. A classified ad to rent his house was placed in the newspaper.

Since Cody’s absences began, two council meetings have been canceled for lack of a quorum.

The July meeting was canceled as only Bob Cottingham attended.

Nadine Telgemeier was on vacation, according Crabtree.

The July meeting was rescheduled for 4 p.m. Monday. Crabtree said there is business which must be conducted in a timely manner.

Councilman Jack Kelly said he did not know about the July 20 meeting or he would have been there.

As for Cody’s position on the council, if he has moved out of the city, he is not eligible to continue to serve. Crabtree said it must be confirmed where Cody lives, and if he has left the city, a replacement will be appointed.

When asked if Cody’s lack of attendance affected city business, Crabtree said: “It has in that we’ve had meetings we couldn’t hold.”

Cody was appointed a public defender in court in June.

A court appearance, previously set for July 27, was postponed until Aug. 24.

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