Nosky announces resignation

City Attorney Ren Nosky today announced he will resign March 31. His resignation follows by six months the retirement of Gordon Palmer, the former city manager.

To departure of two council appointees (particularly, the two appointees most engaged politically at City Hall) is indicative of a change on the Second Floor that came when the City Council turned over last year.

In Palmer’s case, council members began talking publicly about their dissatisfaction. Less so, Nosky (There was no active movement by council members, as there was with Palmer, to dismiss Nosky). Still, some council members challenged his legal advice publicly, he sat through hours of Johnny Ford talk at council meetings, and his relationship with the council was uneasy.

Nosky, 48, was previously in non-government practice, to which he is returning, and his tenure here – almost six years – was not brief. He said the timing was right, that the change in city manager allowed him a “window” to leave and do other things.

He and his family are to stay in Stockton, he said. Vice Mayor Kathy Miller, who supported Nosky, said that is a benefit to the city. Councilman Dale Fritchen, Nosky’s most public critic (and Palmer’s too), did not immediately return a telephone call for comment after business hours this evening.

A story is in the morning paper.