- April 17, 2024
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Updated 4:44 p.m. Aug. 24
Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom, whose leadership helped the city navigate three hurricanes since 2016, died on Aug. 23, at AdventHealth in Palm Coast. The cause of death was not announced.
“This is a profound loss for our family here in Flagler Beach," said Jane Mealy, chairperson of the Flagler Beach City Commission, in the press release. "Our saddened hearts are with Lisa during this most trying of times and our community will miss Larry’s dedication to our City.
Newson was hired in January 2016. He was an interim county manager for Escambia County three times between 2010 and 2014, according to northescambia.com.
“As a city we’ll move forward in the fashion and manner that would make Larry proud of what we can accomplish as a small city," Mealy said. "Larry made a huge impact on our city over a short period time and he’ll be sorely missed by our city and our community.”
City Commissioner Eric Cooley described Newsom as personable, welcoming and positive.
Cooley was volunteering with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Matthew when he got to know Newsom.
"This town would not have been able to get through that without his help," he said. "He came to us at just the right time. He was everything this town needed."
The way he taught the staff to respond to future disaster is just as significant, Cooley said, because they'll be trained even in Newsom's absence. "We always used to joke, calling him Hurricane Larry, because disasters seemed to follow him wherever he's lived in Florida."
Personally, Cooley said Newsom related to everyone who approached him.
"He was a joy to be around," Cooley said. "He’s got that witty Southern charm where he’s aways cracking a joke, making somebody laugh. He really brought a nice dynamic to the job. ... A lot of city managers are rigid and process-driven, and Larry brought a nice human aspect to the job."
Newsom and his dog frequently stopped by Cooley's 7-Eleven store, and Cooley said he'll miss their talks.
"There’s an emptiness because you’re expecting him to come by, and you know he won’t," Cooley said. "He always brought a cheer to the day, everywhere he went."
Further information will be released later this week with regards to services for Newsom, as well as the next step in the city's leadership.
