Action on terminated fire chief deferred

Action on former Eunice Fire Chief Mike Arnold’s termination was deferred at the Eunice city council meeting Tuesday.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large, moved that a reinstatement item be deferred “... until the city has the opportunity to complete the current negotiations with the fire chief’s attorney.”
The decision was made after a closed door session with City Attorney Vernon McManus.
At a Fire and Police Civil Service Board meeting Wednesday morning Keith Vidrine, chairman, said the council chose not to follow the board’s order and reinstate Arnold.
Vidrine said hearing is scheduled on the Arnold case at 9 a.m. Aug. 7.
The nearness of the August hearing means there is not enough time to seek a judicial order requiring the council to take action.
Arnold was terminated by the Board of Aldermen in January on the recommendation of Mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody.
Arnold’s job problem began in October when he was accused of slapping a 33-year-old volunteer firefighter on her buttocks. The incident reportedly occurred during a break at fire prevention presentation at Glendale Elementary.
On Jan. 26, Arnold pleaded no contest to simple battery. A no contest plea does not admit guilt.
Arnold was sentenced by City Judge Terry Hoychick to pay a $150 fine, $155.50 court costs and sentenced to six months in jail.
The jail time and fine were suspended. Arnold was given one year of unsupervised probation and order to complete five eight-hour days of community service.
The maximum penalty for simple battery is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.