By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published March 21, 2004
REDINGTON SHORES - After their first choice backed out, commissioners are hoping to appoint Donald Lusk next week as the new town administrator.
Lusk, 58, could be hired during a special commission meeting, 4 p.m. Monday at Town Hall, when consultant Bob Chambers will report the results of salary and benefits negotiations.
David L. Recor, 36, chief of community planning for Fairfax, Va., withdrew his candidacy last week when that municipality gave him a big pay raise. "They made him an offer he couldn't refuse," Commissioner Lee Holmes said.
Lusk, who is unemployed, lives in Tennessee and is not expected to be at Monday's meeting, has a long history of government management experience.
He has been city manager for Pinellas Park and Wilton Manors in Florida, and East Ridge and Spring City in Tennessee. He was Collier County manager from 1984 to 1987. He most recently served as village administrator at Angel Fire, N.M., from 2000 to 2003.
Chambers says Lusk has a "common-sense" style of management and encourages staff and residents alike to participate in major decisions.
Lusk was the first and only choice of Mayor J.J. Beyrouti.
