Sylva hires town manager
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009| More coverage |
SYLVA–The town of Sylva has hired a new manager.
Sylva’s Town Board voted Friday morning to hire Adrienne Isenhower, currently a planner for the city of Lenoir, to replace Jay Denton, who was fired last fall.
The position has been held since Denton’s departure in an interim capacity by Chris Carter, retired manager of the town of Hendersonville. Carter assisted the board in its search for Denton’s replacement.
The board made the decision in a 3-2 vote.
Commissioners Stacy Knotts, Sarah Graham and Maurice Moody supported Isenhower.
Sylva’s planning director/code enforcement position has also been vacant since late last fall, when director Jim Aust resigned after the board failed to approve a planned community on Yellowbird Branch Rd. in Sylva. Aust’s position may not be re-hired. The board has since outsourced inspection responsibilities to Jackson County government, and Knotts, Graham and Moody sought a manager candidate with a background in planning.
Commissioners Harold Hensley and Ray Lewis told the Smoky Mountain News that they voted against Isenhower because of her lack of experience and because her base pay was more than that of the previous manager. However, Hensley had previously made clear his intention to vote against any candidate the majority members of the board chose, regardless of qualifications.
Isenhower, 28 26, earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Appalachian State University, and went on to earn a masters degree in public administration from the same school. She has worked for the city of Lenoir since 2006, and earlier served separate internships with the cities of Lenoir, Troy and Boone. She is the daughter of Elon town manager Mike Dula.
Disclosure: The author of this post is husband of Sarah Graham, Sylva commissioner
