Norman B. Sales, Richmond city attorney, to retire Dec. 31

By: Will Jones | Times-Dispatch
Published: October 13, 2009

Richmond City Attorney Norman B. Sales announced yesterday that he plans to retire effective Dec. 31, citing personal reasons.

Sales has been the city attorney for the past four years and has worked in the city attorney's office for more than 20 years. The city attorney is appointed by City Council.

Sales' decision to retire comes after he found himself frequently in the middle of legal clashes between the council and then-Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Is is also a time that the city is considering possible charter changes, including whether the city attorney should be appointed jointly by the mayor and the council, not just by the council.

"I want to be clear that my decision to retire at this time has no relation to any matters previously or now before council for consideration and also has no bearing on my relationship with the current or any past administration," Sales said.

"Indeed, I feel that my current relationship with the City Council and the [Mayor Dwight C.] Jones administration has been a cordial and productive one.

"My decision to retire at this time is purely personal. For me, for my career, and for my family, the time has come for a change."

Sales, 51, said he expects to continue working -- just not for the city.

"Whatever I do next, I'm hoping it'll be at a slower pace and it'll free up time to spend with family," he said.

Jones issued a statement last night about Sales' retirement, saying "Norman has been a balanced and knowledgeable city attorney, and we are the better for his work here.

"It is with sadness that I received Norman's announcement."

City Council President Kathy C. Graziano praised Sales after a closed meeting to discuss his plans.

"He's been here for 20 years. That's a very stressful job," she said. "He's a single dad with two [teenagers]. It's time to move on. He's done a great job."

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.