Sunday, July 17, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Martin out as solicitorBy LEE WILLIAMS After seven months on the job, Fayetteville City Solicitor Keith Martin called it quits earlier this month. Martin was charged with prosecuting offenders charged with misdemeanor marijuana, shoplifting, DUI and traffic offenses and violating city laws at Fayetteville Municipal Court. But now that role will be handled by City Attorney David Winkles firm, City Clerk Judy Stephens said. City Manager Joe Morton was unavailable to comment on when or if the search for another city solicitor has begun. Stephens was unsure if an advertisement for the post had been placed. Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele deferred comment regarding the resignation to Martin himself. Reached via cellphone on a trip in Panama City, Fla., Martin said Thursday that he enjoyed working for Fayetteville. But after some soul-searching, he decided it was time for a change. His last day was July 7. I made a reputation as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, Martin said. What I want to do is earn a reputation as being a lawyer who can sit at either table. I wanted to make a decision that works best for my family and the law firm that I work for. Martin previously served as Clayton County solicitor for 16 years. After losing the last election, he placed a bid with Fayetteville and Tyrone and the bids were approved. He also stepped in as city solicitor for Peachtree City from time to time. He did not reject a suggestion that he might be overextended working for three towns. I was sitting back and reassessing where my practice is going to take off, he said. Fayetteville was a pleasant experience. I had a great deal of pleasure working with Joe Morton and the people in finance, but I sat back and said, Look, Where is my practice going to be? I didnt like the impact that Fayetteville was going to have on it. Martin said he and Morton discussed the situation. At the end of the day, Martin decided to resign from the position that paid $300 per court session and a $1,000 per month retainer. I called him back the next day and told him that I wanted to go ahead and depart and I wanted to work out the details, Martin said. Winkles associate Ross Burris III of the Jonesboro-based firm of Oliver & Winkle met with Martin. Burris worked with Martin for one session of court and that was it, Martin said. Martin, a 57-year-old Hampton resident, does not plan to sever his relationship with Tyrone. He will still serve as the town solicitor. Im going to stay in Tyrone, but with Fayetteville and Peachtree City, I felt like it wasnt the best thing for me to be doing, he said. |
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