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Letter to the editor

Vote on city attorney delayed

One commissioner thinks a change is needed.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published June 17, 2007

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - An attempt to replace City Attorney Andy Salzman was delayed at least four months when the commission rejected a call Tuesday to solicit proposals from rival law firms.

Instead, the commission decided to wait until at least October before taking any action.

The only dissenting voice was that of Commissioner Jose Coppen, who has issued a list of 12 complaints about Salzman's performance as the city's attorney.

"The items I have identified are serious enough that in my mind I question the attention that has been devoted to Indian Rocks Beach, " Coppen said.

Earlier elaborations on those complaints prompted Salzman to issue a blistering response in April, which included a barely veiled threat of legal action against Coppen. At the time, Salzman said Coppen made "defamatory statements" on an Internet blog that were potentially "actionable."

Coppen included much of that same material in a formal 12-point list of complaints that were part of the commission's backup materials at Tuesday's meeting.

"I propose a search for another city attorney less entrenched into our own politics, " Coppen said in an introduction to that list.

Coppen says he wants an attorney able to "judge the proper course of action according to his professional standards, independent of what the simple majority of the city commission might wish."

Coppen repeatedly criticizes many of the commission's actions at open meetings, in e-mails and on the Internet.

He is particularly upset over the commission's handling of the departure of former City Manager Al Grieshaber, and a border dispute with Indian Shores. He says Salzman's legal advice, or lack of advice, contributed to the commission taking actions Coppen opposed.

Tuesday, it initially appeared a majority of the commission - Coppen and Bert Valery and Terry Hamilton-Wollin - were ready to seek formal proposals from other law firms. Valery and Hamilton-Wollin particularly criticized Salzman for sending "junior" associates to commission meetings.

Mayor Bill Ockunzzi and Commissioner R.B. Johnson sharply objected.

"Frankly, this whole thing doesn't pass the smell test. He delivers good opinions and delivers a good job. Sometimes we are the ones who screw things up, " said Ockunzzi, arguing that Salzman has been unfairly criticized.

Interim City Manager Steve Cottrell took no position on Salzman's future with the city, but cautioned the commission that the attorney's "institutional memory and knowledge base" is a "positive thing, " particularly when the commission is seeking a new city manager.

Cottrell is apparently the leading candidate for that position, as the commission directed Salzman to negotiate a contract that would make Cottrell the city's permanent city manager, possibly at its June 26 meeting. The city has received 14 applications for the position, but has made no move to interview any of the other candidates.

[Last modified June 16, 2007, 20:56:19]