Ex- board member withdraws job bid

Former City Director Brad Cazort has withdrawn his application for part- time real estate work in City Attorney Tom Carpenter’s office, Carpenter said.

Cazort, whose 20- year run as a city director ended in January after he declined to seek re- election, sought work as a real estate attorney focused on foreclosures and “quiet title” action, or going to court to make sure a title is free of hindrances that could allow others to stake ownership claims.

Cazort withdrew shortly after the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette reported last month that he applied, Carpenter said.

City Hall advertised the job months after Cazort’s firm ranked second out of the three that responded to a contract opportunity for the same work, public records show. Little Rock did not award the contract.

City Manager Bruce Moore, Mayor Mark Stodola and Carpenter have said the position is a way for the city to more frequently obtain properties that have city liens and develop them for special projects.

Carpenter said filling the post has not been a top priority and that he’s not sure when the city will retain someone for the work.

Cazort’s full- time job is administrator of the Arkansas Crime Information Center’s repository division, which is responsible for maintaining criminal history records.

A message left on Cazort’s cellphone seeking comment was not returned.