City attorney resigns

MILTON — In a surprise move, city attorney Heather Lindsay announced at the June 4 Executive Committee meeting she will resign as city attorney.  

In a prepared statement, Lindsay said that the city council has acted against her council on more than one occasion and that she feels that she can no longer work with the city effectively. After thanking council members for her time working with them, she announced her last day will be July 31.

Councilwoman Sharon Holley thanked Lindsay for her service and said how sorry she was that she leaving.

“This is another sad day,” Holley said. “I wish you the very best.”

Councilwoman Pat Lunsford warned the council of the determent this could be to the city.

“We have already made the worst mistake in firing Brian Watkins,” Lunsford said. “You are about to make another one. We are a different breed of people in Milton. We have a different set of values that Heather stands up for.”

Lindsay has been under fire since individual council members have sought to replace her.

The council originally decided to search for new legal representation after Councilman Alan Lowery brought the item to the June 22, 2017 Executive Committee meeting. On July 7, the council voted on the item and it failed, ending the search for an attorney.

Councilman Jeff Snow brought the item came to the council again at the Feb. 13 City Council meeting. Council voted instead to seek quotes from other lawfirms. 

The council has set up a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. June 11 to meet with the two other firms up for the position of city council in the council chambers of the city council building.

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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: City attorney resigns