MAXTON — Mayor Gladys Dean introduced the town’s new manager Tuesday as a man the people of Maxton are going to learn to love.

Vincent L. Long III, 59, of Pinehurst, was hired Friday to fill the post vacant since the July resignation of Katrina Tatum. He will start at a salary of $56,000.

Dean said that Long was the unanimous choice of the town commissioners, who chose him from a field of eight final candidates selected from 24 qualified applications received for the position.

“He is a good fit for the town of Maxton,” Dean said. “He has excellent qualifications. We look forward to working with him.

“I was impressed when I first met him. When he gave us his assessment of the community he was straightforward, open and honest. He didn’t sugarcoat anything.”

According to the mayor, the town board has already set goals it expects Long to meet. These include development of the downtown business district, an evaluation of town services, and the hiring of a new police chief.

Long, a former Marine and a Vietnam veteran, has nearly 23 years of experience in managing local government. He has served as administrative assistant, assistant village manager, and city administrator and city manager for communities in Illinois and California. His last management position was as city manager in Cloverdale, Calif., a city with a population of about 9,000. He left there in 2008, and moved from California to Pinehurst.

Long says he brings to Maxton extensive experience dealing with growth, attracting economic development, and rebuilding infrastructure of all types. He also says he has extensive background in finance, budgeting, personnel management, fire and police operations, water and sewer operations, and streets and drainage operations.

Long said that he is looking forward to working with the town commissioners to address issues concerning the community.

“Not every town board takes as much concern for its citizens as here in Maxton,” he said. “That’s important to me. It’s important to me to be able to help improve the quality of life.”

Long listed among his priorities downtown revitalization, improving infrastructure, beautification projects and starting to prepare the town’s next fiscal year budget. Also, he said, the hiring of a new police chief is a top priority.

“We want a true cop. We want someone who takes fighting crime seriously,” he said. “We want someone who will investigate and use all resources aggressively.”

Long said he also plans to put emphasis on revitalization of the downtown business district.

“A community’s downtown should always be its priority,” he said. “As improvements are made, businesses are attracted to the community and jobs are created for residents.”

Long also said that he sees great potential for Maxton to grow and develop.

“There is a strong sense of small town pride here. People want to make the town better. You can build on that,” he said. “Also, unlike many communities, there is already a downtown. No matter what its condition, there is already a building block for downtown development.”