Tyrone’s new town manager is on the job. Selected late last year to replace retiring town manager Chris Venice, former Glynn County grant coordinator Richard Newbern began his employment with the town on Jan. 4.

Newbern arrived in Tyrone by way of Glynn County, where he served as the grant coordinator for the county Community Development Department for nearly a dozen years. During that time Newbern prepared and administered state and federal grant applications and assisted with the development and implementation of budget strategies for local government projects.

Newbern also served for two years as county manager in Appling County and for three years as city manager in Camilla.

As for the move to Tyrone, Newbern said it was a good fit with his desire to return to municipal administration.

“My family and I always liked the area and we had visited here several times. And I had planned to get back into city management. I saw this as an opportunity to serve the public in a productive and meaningful way,” said Newbern. “I appreciate the support of the town council and staff and look forward to serving the citizens of the community.”

And as important as anything in matters of municipal governance is the fiscal philosophy of the administrator. In that regard Newbern should be right at home in Tyrone.

“I’m a fiscal conservative who learned the importance of pinching pennies and conserving dollars. I will use our resources wisely in planning for the public services needed by the citizens,” Newbern said.

Aside from the organization or employer, every manager has a philosophy on business. For Newbern, he said he encourages employees to do the best job possible with the resources available.

“I consider myself the team leader of the town staff. So I encourage all departments to move forward and provide the best service possible to Tyrone’s 7,000 residents,” Newbern said, turning his thoughts to the community. “Our job is to respond to the citizens’ needs within the (framework) of the mission of the town. Tyrone has a responsibility to provide the public services needed by citizens at the most reasonable cost possible.”

Newbern along with his wife and their six children have already moved to the Tyrone area.

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