RECORD PR SPIN II: SAB Attorney Resigns

Beach city attorney announces resignation
Posted: November 10, 2015 - 11:35pm | Updated: November 11, 2015 - 12:06am
For the truth, read here
By JENNA CARPENTER
jenna.carpenter@staugustine.com
Doug Burnett, city attorney for St. Augustine Beach, announced his resignation during Monday night’s commission meeting.
Burnett, who served as the city attorney for 6½ years, said his growing law firm, St. Johns Law Group, is making it challenging for him to juggle responsibilities, both to the firm and to the city.
“We’re moving into a new building and are adding lawyers, so I need to re-prioritize my work,” Burnett said. “I need to focus on (other) things during the day, and I just had to cut back somewhere. This (being the city attorney) is where it needs to happen.”
The old building, which was located on Anastasia Boulevard, was filled to capacity, so the firm couldn’t hire new lawyers for the last two years. But the new location, in Sea Grove Plaza, will allow him to expand, he said.
“The construction of a new building and significant expansion of our client base and staff put added demand on my time as we face ever increasing challenges of administrative oversight and client service,” Burnett wrote in his resignation letter addressed to City Manager Max Royle and Beach Police Chief Robert Hardwick.
The resignation includes the legal services of the entire law firm, including James Whitehouse who has represented St. Johns Law Group at some commission meetings.
“It’s bittersweet, I will say; I’ve enjoyed being the city attorney. It’s been a neat process to see what’s gone on in the city in the last 6½ years, and to see leadership from city staff and the job (they’ve) done to position the city for the future,” Burnett said.
“St. Augustine Beach has earned the trust of its residents and respect of our community — a model of emulation for similar size cities in Florida,” the resignation letter said.
Burnett said he will continue to provide his services to the city until a replacement law firm is hired.
The Beach will start advertising for a new law firm in December and will discuss applicants at the January meeting, Royle said.
“The commission will discuss who they want to interview then,” Royle said.
But Mayor Andrea Samuels said whoever is hired will have big shoes to fill.
Commissioner S. Gary Snodgrass added: “You and your colleagues have been outstanding in every way and provided resources, insight and intellectual rigor to this whole process.
“I appreciate all your behind-the-scenes counsel, advice and suggestions, particularly when I was mayor during a tough couple of years,” he said.

COMMENTS:
sponger2 11/11/15 - 07:48 am 31No loss
Buy him a tape measure as a going away present. Maybe he'll find out the difference between 35 feet and 53 feet.