by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The City of Neptune Beach has begun a search for its next attorney after its current general counsel decided “it’s just time” to step down from the position.
Attorney Chris White has served Neptune Beach since 1997 and is the fourth attorney in the history of the municipality since it was formed in the early 1930s.
Before working for Neptune Beach, White was general counsel for the Beaches Public Hospital Special Taxing District from 1983-1995, which was his first experience with government law.
“It helped me develop a background in government law,” said White. “When the job became open in Neptune Beach, I found it intriguing and interesting.”
He plans to continue his private practice with the firm of Reznicsek, Fraser, Hastings, White & Shaffer that he maintained while serving the City of Neptune Beach, and admitted that “it’s just time to move on.”
White will continue serving until the end of February.
Though the job includes attendance at public meetings, White didn’t treat the City of Neptune Beach differently in the balance of private practice and municipal issues.
“The City is another client,” said White. “You represent them with the same due diligence you would represent any private entity or individual.”
One of the more notable issues in which White represented Neptune Beach was a proposed Walmart Supercenter that the company wanted to build in the 600 block of Atlantic Boulevard.
The Neptune Beach City Council voted to block the development application amid strong public opposition to the store being built, and the vote led to mediation for the two entities.
The project never left the drawing board and a new Publix now sits in its place.
“I received a lot of comments on how dignified and honorably Chris served the City in those negotiations,“ said Harriet Pruette, mayor of Neptune Beach.
“He has been very professional and dignified in the carrying out of his duties serving the City. I know that people may not have agreed with him on some issues, just like people have not agreed with me on some issues, but he has served the City well,” she said.
The search for the next City of Neptune Beach attorney began today with advertisements in local media outlets. The deadline for applications is Jan. 28.
“It’s a critical position for any city, especially a small city,” said Pruette. “We’d like to have someone from the area that has experience with litigation and land use law, as well as government law experience.”
The Neptune Beach City Council will review the applications and choose about five candidates to interview, and the City plans to name its new attorney before White officially steps down in February.
356-2466
Former Attorneys for the City of Neptune Beach
Joseph Glickstein
Joseph Glickstein Jr.
Claude Mullis
Chris A. White*
*(current, stepping down)