McLaughlin Resigns from City Council

NEWPORT, RI—City Councilor Justin McLaughlin has resigned.

McLaughlin, who was the lone vote against the appointment of longtime City Solicitor and Acting City Manager Joseph Nicholson to the position of permanent, full time city manager on Wednesday, submitted his resignation on Thursday.

It’s no secret that McLaughlin had been unhappy with the job in recent months. In November, he abruptly walked out of a workshop where City Council members met to talk about long- and short-term planning.

Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano said in an interview that it is unfortunate that McLaughlin has decided to step down.

“It’s a shame,” she said. “He is very bright and very helpful,” the mayor said.

In his resignation letter, McLaughlin said he has “enjoyed working with the council” but would be resigning effective Monday.

Napolitano said she wouldn’t begin the process of determining the next course of action for the council until Monday.

The mayor said she found out about the resignation on Thursday afternoon and distributed copies of McLaughlin’s brief resignation letter to her fellow members of the City Council.