The Platte County Commission announced the retirement of the county counselor Robert Shaw after more than 30 years of service and the search for his replacement at the administrative session on Monday, July 17.
The commission approved a request for qualifications to be sent to attorneys and law firms interested in serving as the attorney for the county government in civil matters.
“This is the first time publicly acknowledging what we’ve all been in denial about,” said director of facilities Daniel Erickson as he introduced the RFQ to commissioners. “I’m extremely happy for Bob. He’s going out on his terms, he’s retiring and he’s ready to sit on a beach somewhere.”
Commissioner Joe Vanover, himself an attorney, said “Bob Shaw has provided excellent legal advice to the county government for decades. His work has taken place in private, but it has kept us out of very public litigation and potentially embarrassing situations.”
Shaw began his work as the lawyer for county government in 1987 when he started advising the county on planning and zoning issues. He was formally appointed as county counselor in 1991. In addition to advising the county government, Shaw has represented countless private clients.
“Bob has been a big part of the Platte City and Platte County community for decades,” Vanover said.
District commissioner Dagmar Wood said she was grateful to Shaw for his services, which he has discounted for the county as he considers it a part of his service to the public.
For several years Shaw served on the Platte County R-3 school board. Shaw graduated from high school in Platte City and attended law school at the University of Texas at Austin.
The deadline for attorneys and law firms that are interested in representing the county government to submit their proposals is 2 p.m. Friday, July 28 to the county clerk’s office.