Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank City Attorney Dennis Barlow
One of the major players at Burbank City Hall is going to be riding off into the sunset — but he’s not saddling up his horse right away. A press release from Burbank Public Information Officer, Keith Sterling, was sent out just before noon today. It announced the upcoming retirement of Burbank City Attorney, Dennis Barlow.
The departure of the controversial city attorney and dominate force in city government for years, has been a rumor swirling around town for days.
City Hall may have decided to make Barlow’s retirement public and official after the popular Semichorus blog began running a series of posts about it. Here’s the official City Hall news release about Barlow’s slow walk out the door, set for September, and the upcoming search for a replacement.
Burbank City Attorney to Retire in September
BURBANK, Calif. (January 20, 2011) – After 14 years with the City of Burbank, City Attorney Dennis Barlow will retire later this year.
“It has been the professional honor of my life to work for the City of Burbank,” says Barlow. “I have come to the conclusion that it is time to pay more attention to my health, and to spend more time with my grandchildren. I very much appreciate the opportunity I’ve had to serve the people of Burbank. This community has become my home and I have many fond memories of my tenure here.”
Prior to his arrival in the San Fernando Valley in 1997, he worked in the City Attorney’s office in San Bernardino and the County Counsel’s office in Yuba and Kern counties. Barlow has a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from the University of San Diego.
Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke says a national search will begin in the coming weeks, allowing time for a thorough recruitment. “Dennis is our most tenured executive and his legal expertise and deep understanding of our City will be difficult to replace,” says Reinke. “The City Council wishes him a happy and healthy retirement.”
The City Attorney and City Manager are appointed positions, reporting directly to the City Council.
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