Published: July 02, 2008 04:20 pm      

City manager picks Ervin law firm to fill city attorney’s spot

The city of McAlester is now officially without a city attorney — but City Manager Mark Roath has made his choice for who he would like to see fill the position.

“I have appointed the firm of Ervin & Ervin,” Roath said this morning. The McAelster law firm consists of the father and son team of Bill and Joe Ervin.

Since the city is still operating under the so-called “old” city charter pending approval by the governor of the new one passed by voters last April, Roath still has the authority to appoint a new city attorney — pending approval by the city council.

The item is expected to be on the agenda for the July 8 city council agenda.

In addition to seeking approval of the appointment, Roath will ask the council to authorize new Mayor Kevin Priddle to authorize the city to enter into a contract agreement with the law firm.

It will call for a retainer of $2,500 a month, or $30,000 per year, plus additional fees of $150 per hour for litigation services and $175 per hour for appeal services.

Bob Ivester, who has been holding the office, gave the city notice that he planned to leave on June 30.

However, June 30 came and went on Monday night and the city still hadn’t hired someone to fill the city attorney’s spot.

Ivester acted as the city attorney during the special Monday night council meeting at City Hall, where the council decided on a split 3-2 vote to accept an arbitration committee’s decision to award McAlester firefighters a 6 percent raise.

After the meeting, Ivester confirmed to the News-Capital that he hadn’t changed his mind and it was indeed his last night to serve as the city attorney.

Ivester said he wasn’t running out on the city and he would still be available to help if called upon, but he was now officially resigned from the position.

The city had two applicants for the post. In addition to the Ervin & Ervin law firm, Hannah Cable had applied for the office of city attorney.

Contact James Beaty at Beaty at mcalesternews.com.