City Attorney Retires After 26 Years on Job

Howard Rosten, Inglewood’s city attorney for 26 years, retired this week. He is the third top city administrator to opt for early retirement in the wake of Mayor Roosevelt Dorn’s spring election victory.

Rosten, 54, agreed to a retirement package that gave him four years of additional credit toward his pension, costing the city $165,000. As city attorney, he received nearly $250,000 a year in salary and benefits.

Assistant City Atty. Jack Ballas, who has worked with the city for more than 20 years, will take over Rosten’s duties until a permanent replacement is selected.

Assistant City Administrator Norm Cravens left his job in July after working for the city for 16 years. City Manager Paul Eckles retired in April.

Dorn, a former Superior Court judge, was elected mayor April 20. He has said he wants to replace the city’s longtime administrators with people who will earn less than their predecessors.