Art Montoya's wish came true probably far quicker than he might have imagined. Duncan Vice-mayor Tom Cooper has resigned from the council.

A news release from Duncan Town Hall was distributed around 4 p.m., Friday, March 12. Montoya, a Duncan resident and businessman, had asked for Cooper's resignation at 8:30 that morning at a Town Council meeting.

The timing was coincidental and not a result of Montoya's request, a town official said. Cooper told Mayor Randall Norton he was bored with retirement and had decided to rejoin Vallen Security, for which he worked in Morenci. He will now be working in California.

Montoya addressed council in Call to the Public and asked for Cooper's resignation from the Town Council. He cited Cooper's several absences from council meetings.

Another Duncan resident, Darlene Cox, had previously questioned Cooper's absences and whether he met residency requirements to remain on the council.

Town manager David Newlin and Town Attorney Kenyon Udall researched the matter.

They sought advice from the Arizona Attorney General's office, which said Cooper met residency requirements under state law.

Cooper said that since retiring, he did a great deal of traveling and was sometimes unable to attend meetings. He sat on the council 2-1/2 years. He was appointed to council in Aug. 2001 and was elected in March 2003. The March 12 town news release said Cooper's resignation was effective immediately. The town will consider qualified applicants to replace him at a Tuesday, March 30, meeting.

Newlin said individuals interested in serving the remainder of Cooper's term, which extends through May 2007, should submit a letter of interest to town hall before 5 p.m., Thursday, March 25.

To qualify as a council member, a person must be a registered voter, be at least 18 years of age and be a Town of Duncan resident for at least one year.

Questions may be addressed to town hall at 865-359-2791.