Times Staff Writer

Guadalupe officials are searching for a permanent city attorney to replace their interim legal counsel, whose contract is about to expire.

Jim Rupp, an Oxnard attorney who has been serving as Guadalupe/s counsel for the past few months, will not renew his agreement with the city. He will stay on, however, until the city finds a permanent replacement, said City Administrator Carolyn Galloway-Cooper.

"We need to get someone in place by July 1," she said. "Jim will stay until we find somebody, but we need to get a permanent one."

Meanwhile the city has started advertising for the position with local newspapers and Western City, a monthly magazine for the League of California Cities. Galloway-Cooper said there have been interested parties contacting the city already asking for job requirements.

The deadline to apply is June 16, when the City Council will review candidates and make the final decision.

The former attorney, Alex Simas, left his position with the city on Feb. 28 after he was terminated during a closed session meeting. He had been with the city for 18 years.

* Staff writer Elizabeth Rodriguez can be reached at 347-4580 or by e-mail at erodriguez@pulitzer.net.

June 5, 2003