Wednesday, December 24, 1997
Merkel native joins city attorney's staff
By ANTHONY WILSON / Abilene Reporter-News
Dan Santee may have found a new home in his homecoming.
The Merkel native joined the Abilene city attorney's office
Tuesday, saying he believed he has discovered his calling.
For the past 2-1/2 years, Santee prosecuted misdemeanors in
Athens. He is relishing the opportunity to practice municipal
law, saying he grew tired of jailing people.
"This is a broader area of law," Santee said on his
first day. "In prosecution, a DWI is a DWI is a DWI. I never
took great satisfaction in locking people up for misdemeanors.
"This is an excellent opportunity," he added. "You
can do it for an indefinite amount of time and never burn out.
It's never boring and I'm serving the public as a whole. It's
a more comfortable job for me."
Santee's addition gives the city attorney's office four lawyers
for the first time in 10 months. City Attorney Sharon Hicks said
the work load is too great for three attorneys in an office that
once employed five lawyers.
Hicks was authorized to hire a fourth attorney in May, but
searched for months before adding Santee.
"His personality seemed to fit in with the office,"
she said. "We're too small not to have a team."
As assistant county attorney in Henderson County, Santee offered
legal advice to public officials, reviewed contracts and handled
civil work -- all duties he will perform in his new job.
He graduated from Merkel High in 1987 and earned his law degree
from St. Mary's University in San Antonio three years ago.
Santee's wife, Megan Hawkins Santee, is also an attorney and
native West Texan. She graduated from Cooper High.
Wanting to return home, the couple interviewed for jobs on
the same day. They won job offers within a week of one another,
she with the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland as a briefing attorney.
"This has always felt like home," Santee said. "People
here are friendlier. It almost felt like another state in Athens.
It just didn't feel right. I was homesick."
Hicks will evaluate her office's performance with four lawyers
before considering another addition.
Send a Letter to the Editor about This
Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story
to A Friend:
Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
|
