Former Columbus Fire Department firefighter Mitchell Banks is seeking to appeal the decision made in January by the Columbus Civil Service Commission to uphold his termination, according to papers filed in Lowndes County Circuit Court.
According to the document, Banks” attorney Rod Ray filed a notice of appeal on Feb. 11.
The document states the commission heard Banks” appeal of his termination, and after hearing the evidence and testimony presented, the Civil Service Commission took no action and upheld Banks” termination.
The document also stated, “that the Civil Service Commission was incorrect in their upholding of the termination of Mitchell Banks based on the suspension not being done in good faith.”
The notice of appeal document also contended that Banks” termination was not based on any law, standard operating procedure of the fire department or any other known rule or regulation.
The document stated that Banks is demanding a certified transcript, “of the record and all papers in evidence related to, and/or a part of, the Civil Service Commission Hearing on January 18 be filed by the Commission with the Circuit Court.”
Banks was terminated Dec. 7 by the Columbus City Council for allegedly missing hazardous material training sessions in Pearl because he was too drunk to participate.
Beginning Dec. 8, he was given 10 days to appeal the decision and retained Ray on Dec. 16. The Civil Service Commission decided to hear the appeal, despite its late submission.
Ray did not return phone calls to The Dispatch.
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