Long-time The Dalles City Attorney Gene Parker is retiring.  In his retirement letter to City officials that was released to the media on Tuesday, Parker says he has been considering a plan to step away for a few months, and that he intends to retire on March 1 of next year.  He added he wanted to give plenty of notice to allow the City time to select his successor and allow for a smooth transition.  Parker has been The Dalles City Attorney for 28-and-a-half years.