PARKERSBURG - The finance director for the city of Parkersburg is free on bond after being arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI over the weekend, and his employment status with the city remains shaky.
Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell has not made a decision about Doug Life as finance director. Newell said he will consult with some members of city council and others before making a decision.
"I will obviously make a decision," Newell said.
City Council President Tom Joyce declined to comment.
"I wouldn't feel appropriate commenting on a matter without knowing all the facts," he said.
Life was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI Sunday night after crashing his truck into two road signs and a concrete support at West Virginia 95 and Interstate 77. Life was three times administered a field sobriety test, which he failed, and registered a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.165, according to officials.
On Monday morning, the 54-year-old was arraigned before Wood County Magistrate Donna Jackson. He appeared in a prison-issue orange jumpsuit and his right elbow was bandaged.
Jackson said the aggravated DUI charge was a result of Life's blood-alcohol concentration being 0.15 or greater. As a result of the charges, Life faces from two days to six months in prison and a fine of between $200 and $1,000.
Life indicated he will hire an attorney.
Jackson set bail at $1,000 and asked Life if he had $100 cash, 10 percent, on him to post bail.
"Don't suppose you take Mastercard," he replied.
He posted $100 cash and was freed.
When asked if he had a comment, Life declined.
Jackson said Life's case will be assigned to a magistrate today and the proceedings will go from there.
Life is a former city firefighter and sanitation department supervisor who took over the finance director's post in July 2009 following the arrest of Randy Craig on a chanrge of embezzlement.
The finance director is an appointment of the mayor, and as an at-will employee there is no paid leave, according to Newell.
"Either he stays or goes," he said. "There is no in between."
Newell said a decision on Life's employment will be made soon.
"The finance director is a pretty sensitive position, and we are getting ready to go into the budget process. I will obviously make a decision," he said.
"But ultimately it will be my decision," Newell said. " I don't want to put that on (council)."
