Long-time City attorney to retire effective January 2019
Long-time City Attorney Jerry Maddux announced recently that he will retire Jan. 1, 2019, after 43 years of service to the City of Bartlesville.
Maddux was appointed to represent the City by the Bartlesville City Council in 1975. The position is one of only four directly appointed by the City Council, along with city manager, municipal judge and city treasurer. According to minutes from the meeting, an all-new City Council convened on May 5, 1975 and, after selecting a new mayor and vice mayor, appointed a new city manager, discontinued the services of the city attorney and voted 5-0 to appoint Maddux to the post.
“Over the 43 years as city attorney, I have served with many city councilors and city managers and can say without reservation that all have had the best interest of the city at heart,” Maddux said in a letter to the City Council last week.
Maddux said he will continue with a limited law practice in Bartlesville following his retirement from the City and that he will consult with the new city attorney as needed as well as assist in the search for a new city attorney at no charge to the City of Bartlesville.
“Mr. Maddux has served our community faithfully for more than 43 years, which is an unheard of term of service in most communities,” said Mayor Dale Copeland. “In that time he has guided the City Council — several councils, over the decades — with advice and direction through the many legal issues arising in the course of city affairs. His dedication and professional acumen are greatly appreciated and, while we will miss seeing him in his accustomed seat at City Council meetings, we wish Jerry and his wife Beth an enjoyable and well deserved retirement.”