Negative media attention is to blame for the departure of a longtime Saint John city manager, according to Saint John Mayor Ivan Court.

Terry Totten's resignation was approved at Monday night's Saint John council meeting.

Court said Totten, who has served in that position since 1993, was not pushed and he blamed the local newspaper for too much negativity aimed at Totten.

"There was a lot of negativity … from the local paper that was unwarranted," Court said.

Court said Totten has been very loyal to the city. The mayor also confirmed that the city and its former manager negotiated a severance package.

The city is providing Totten with a severance package in a one-time payment of $500,000. Court said that's equal to 2½ years' salary. In addition, Totten will be getting a supplementary pension of $16,000 per year.

Press release blamed print media

A press release handed out on Monday night to announce Totten's departure further outlined the city's position that Totten's departure was spurred on by media attention that has surrounded the city manager.

It states that print media coverage over the years had done serious harm to the organization and to Totten himself. The release targets editorials and columns as having a negative effect on council and staff relations.

In March 2007, Totten and his wife Margaret, who was then-tourism manager were under much scrutiny because the couple had scheduled to fly to Florida for a cruise ship convention while she was on sick leave.

Pat Woods, the deputy city manager, will move into Totten's old job for the time being.