The law firm serving as corporation counsel for the City of Watertown has quit. Bond, Schoeneck and King notified the City of its desire to end that role, although it will continue for the time being to represent the City.
It's not surprising as relations have been testy and some Council members privately and not so privately said they want the firm and its attorney, Kristin Smith gone.
Ms. Smith got into the briar patch when she advised the Council to file a complaint with the DA and/or AG concerning a local businessman but the Council never did that and then Mayor Smith filed the complaint and was assisted by the CA who hosted meetings with Troopers in her Syracuse office.....The matter led to State Police probing Council members and resulted in no charges. That was done without Council approval.
The role of the CA and CM in furthering action against two sitting members was never destined to turn out well and Bond must have decided the juice isn't worth the squeeze any longer. One of the subjects of probes has been busy sending emails to all suggesting malfeasance, The fact the businessman was a former Bond client and spent seven figures there and he feels they turned on him.
"They played politics instead of ethics, " Mr. Simao chirped this morning.
On the golf course, Bond represented the City in thwarting a lawsuit to halt the sale, but then were on the other side facilitating action against the three who voted to purchase the course.
A new Council will have to select a new corporation counsel as this will not be resolved quickly. The CM announced the quitting in a press release and declared he is preparing a request for proposal for a new attorney. Don't we have a Mayor and Council ? And an election coming up. When and how did the Council find out? They are the clients, surely they knew before the letter was released.
This is three lawyers in three years for the "Clown Council".
4 comments:
BSK did not provide their A Team lawyer; that is for sure, bad attorney, bad advice, and bad outcomes.
The attorney probably felt slighted when she didn't get a city take home car...
Perhaps Cliff should become the new CA. Maybe that's been his plan all along when he's chased out the 3 firms that have represented the city.
As CA, Ms. Smith not only provided poor advice, but often appeared like the proverbial “deer in headlights” when confronted with an issue during meetings. Will not be easy to find a qualified replacement however, as COW has undoubtedly developed a deserved reputation as a “difficult” client.
The Mayor and Council will eventually select a replacement - although might be best to wait and involve the new members.
Never involved in Watertown government, but would seem unusual if the City Council were responsible for drafting RFPs. In any event, after the hours they spent debating two parking spaces, it would likely just result in another cringeworthy display.
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