North Topsail appoints town manager

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH - After an eight-month search, North Topsail Beach will have a permanent town manager before month's end.

North Topsail Beach's Board of Aldermen selected Henry Luxem to fill the town manager position at the April 3 town meeting.

Aldermen Robert Swantek, Richard Peters and Dan Tuman voted in favor of hiring Luxem.

Alderman Richard Farley and Mayor Pro Tem Larry Hardison voted against the appointment.

"I just cannot accept the contract that you offered him," Farley said before his no vote.

Interim Town Manager Tom Taylor said the contract offer includes a $75,000 salary, $1,000-per-month stipend if Luxem moves to North Topsail Beach, and a reimbursement commensurate with what the town would pay toward his health insurance.

He confirmed that Luxem is planning on residing in the town, so he will be eligible for the $1,000 remuneration.

Interim Town Manager Tom Taylor's last day was April 8. He has served as interim town manager since last September, shortly after Brad Smith resigned the position last August.

Town Clerk Kathleen Clough was unanimously appointed interim town manager beginning April 9, until Luxom's arrival.

Luxem will begin serving as town manager April 21.

Luxem lives in Mosinee, Wis. He is an adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch University in the college of business and management.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and a Master of Science degree in environmental policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

He served as administrator of Kronenwetter, Wis., from 2001 until he was terminated,without a cause given, in January 2007, he said. He served as Kronenwetter's public works director from 2001 to 2004.

"My guess is that it was very much a political move, since it occurred during an election cycle," Luxem said. "I was, in effect, the first successful administrator in the community. During my tenure, Kronenwetter became the largest village - due to annexation of 41 square miles - (and) Kronenwetter made more progress than any other community in the state. During my term, I helped the village develop a municipal structure with the addition of tax incremental districts. I helped get a new fire department, helped with the creation of a police department and police department quarters, and worked to get a municipal center and courtroom."

He said he looks forward to getting back to town management, and his goal is to bring stability to North Topsail Beach.

"I have dealt with and am accustomed to controversial issues," Luxem said. "The town is working on some tough issues, and I will work to bring the town together. I will help bring those with diverse views together, and want to help them work together to find common ground to do what is best for North Topsail Beach."

Farley told The Daily News that he opposed the appointment mainly because he did not agree with the severance pay, health insurance reimbursement and a few other details in the contract, not because he opposed Luxem.

He said that, in light of the recent dismissal of Onslow County Manager Frank Clifton, he felt the severance should be lower in the event Luxem does not work out as town manager.

"I don't think it's a good package for the citizens," Farley said. "I think paying him a severance of six months pay after one year and three months pay after six months .... I thought it was high."