Superior City Councilor Graham Garfield, facing criminal charges for allegedly pointing a loaded firearm at his fiancee during a domestic incident last month, announced his resignation from the council on Thursday.
"It has been one of my life's greatest pleasures to serve the people of this city and I hope that I can be an asset to the community again some day. I continue to support, as a citizen, a progressive agenda that will benefit all members of the community and make our city a better place to live," Garfield said in a statement on Thursday.
Garfield, 26, is facing felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the April 20 incident. The following week, Superior Mayor Jim Paine called for Garfield's resignation, saying that Garfield "cannot and should not continue to represent his constituents while he faces criminal charges." Earlier in April, Garfield won re-election by one vote to his second term representing the city's 6th District.
On Tuesday, Garfield had announced that he wouldn't resign and that he is entitled to a fair legal process before being judged. Since Tuesday's announcement, Garfield has seen "negative reaction and pressure put on other members of the council that distracts from the true purpose of city government," according to his statement on Thursday. He explained that he is resigning from the council "out of concern for the well-being of the community and wishing no harm upon my colleagues."
During Tuesday's council meeting, several residents urged Garfield to resign and Councilor Brent Fennessey asked the council to take action on the matter. A petition started on Wednesday requesting Garfield resign had garnered 149 signatures by Thursday evening.
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With Garfield's resignation, the City Council can name a replacement or choose to hold a special election to fill his seat, the Superior Telegram reported.
Garfield appeared in Douglas County Circuit Court on Wednesday on the criminal charges; he waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over for arraignment on May 26.
