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Lake Placid council accepts town attorney’s resignation, appoints local firm interim amid Sunshine Law dispute
Summary
After a heated public debate and extended questions about the selection process, the Lake Placid Town Council voted to accept longtime town attorney Bert Harris’s resignation and appointed Michael Durham (Clifford R. Rhodes firm) as interim counsel. The move followed competing candidate presentations and disagreement over the RFP process.
Mayor Mia Holbrook told the council the town needs to move on and asked members to vote to accept Bert Harris’s resignation and retirement effective immediately. "He resigned and retired," Holbrook said, framing the choice as necessary for continuity and future representation.
Councilwoman Deborah Worley moved to relieve Harris of his duties effective immediately and to authorize staff to work with interim legal counsel for proper succession. Worley argued that ongoing allegations about Sunshine Law violations and related litigation risk required a fresh legal team.
Opponents on the dais and several residents urged caution. "Why are we getting rid of an attorney that we have when we haven't selected a replacement?"…
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