ECUA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RETIRE

The Pensacola News Journal is reporting that the executive director for the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority plans to retire. Stephen Sorrell has been executive director since 2002, and said he has enjoyed his career, but wants to spend more time with his family. The utility’s attorney, Bradley Odom, also announced he would not be renewing his contract to be ECUA’s attorney after it ends March 31st. Since November, ECUA has been looking into a way to sue Odom for malpractice over how his office handled a 2007 eminent domain lawsuit involving the Lewis Bear Company that required ECUA to pay out over a million dollars in attorneys’ fees to the other side. Sorrell said the timing of the two announcements was a coincidence, and his retirement has nothing to do with Odom’s case.