Lawndale City Manager Resigns, Cites ‘Best Interest of All Parties’ : Administration: John E. Nowak, who was criticized in the recent election, surprises the City Council by announcing that he will quit June 5.

Lawndale City Manager John E. Nowak, who became the focus of intense criticism during the city’s recent election, announced Friday that he will resign from his $86,100-a-year job effective June 5.

Nowak, who joined the city in January, 1991, submitted a letter of resignation to the City Council at a closed session Thursday night. In a brief statement made public Friday, Nowak, 40, said his resignation was “in the best interest of all parties.”

He is the city’s sixth top administrator in eight years.

Nowak’s resignation came as a surprise to city officials, some of whom have taken issue with his management style and his guidance on a new city trash-hauling contract.

Mayor Harold Hofmann, who vowed after his reelection last month that the city would see “a change in management or management will change,” described Nowak as abrupt and remote.

“He doesn’t communicate,” Hofmann said. “I suppose as long as he’s giving directions, he’s tremendous at it, but sometimes you have to explain yourself a little bit.”

Despite the criticism, several city officials pointed out that Nowak was assured of several months of continued employment even though one of his strongest supporters was defeated in April’s council election.

“The council absolutely did not initiate this,” City Atty. David Aleshire said. “It was a total surprise. He was not told, ‘You better resign.’ ”

Under state law and the terms of Nowak’s contract, the council is prohibited from taking steps to oust its city manager for 90 days before and after any election. In addition, Nowak’s contract entitles him to 120 days notice before the council could ask him to leave.

Nowak’s supporters, who include Councilmen Bill Johnson and Norm Lagerquist, praised him for professionalism in preparing a balanced budget, restructuring City Hall and creating a redevelopment agency.

“He is an excellent city manager, and I have the highest respect for his integrity and competence,” Lagerquist said.

“I’m sorry to see John go,” Johnson said. “I think John was the most qualified city manager the city of Lawndale ever had. He’s by far the most professional . . . and I think we will have a difficult time replacing John Nowak with someone of his caliber.”

Later this month, Nowak is scheduled to speak about government operations and services at an international conference of city managers in Australia.

Former Councilwoman Carol Norman, a strong Nowak supporter who was defeated by newcomer Nancy Marthens last month, said she believed that Nowak resigned because he “couldn’t stand the continual harassment from Harold (Hofmann) and (Councilman) Larry Rudolph.”

“It was affecting his health,” Norman said. “His friends told him his personality was changing.”

Lawndale’s top administrative post has been something of a revolving door in the last eight years. Among the city’s former top managers were:

* James Arnold, who was ousted from his post in July, 1990, after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed misdemeanor charges against him for improper disposal of asbestos in the demolition of three city buildings.

* Daniel P. Joseph, who was fired in December, 1988, after only six months on the job because he had given a favored city official a critical evaluation.

* Paul Phillips, who resigned in February, 1987, under pressure from the council because of problems in the city’s Planning Department.