Wiley Ross Jr.
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ANSON — After a story from an Anson County Board of Commissioners meeting appeared in the October 16 publication of the Anson Record, Chairman Jamie Caudle released a prepared statement clarifying comments he made at the meeting where he appeared to express support for Wadesboro’s town manager, Wiley Ross Jr.
Caudle said he and his fellow commissioners respect the office of town manager, as they do those of all Wadesboro’s town officials and they wanted to express their support for them in their continued endeavors to keep citizens safe. He did not intend for his earlier remarks to convey to citizens that commissioners would be wading into the internal issues of the town nor did he intend to appear to single out Ross for praise.
“I want to clarify that as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, my comments at the October meeting were directed at the citizens of Wadesboro. I stated, ‘We stand by and support the citizens of Wadesboro,’ who at the present time, have limited police protection. Their security and safety are my top priority. I remain neutral in my opinion of the current town manager. I give my full support to the citizens of Wadesboro,” stated Caudle.
In early October, Wadesboro Town Manager Wiley Ross Jr. expressed his appreciation for the support county commissioners have shown him since taking office this past June, particularly for allowing the sheriff’s office to assist Wadesboro’s dwindling police force.
“I just wanted to come here and say thank you for allowing the sheriff to assist us in our police shortage in the police department, it is definitely appreciated. We certainly want to thank you guys for allowing that to happen.”
While Mr. Ross mentioned being available for questions, instead commissioners had praise for the embattled town manager.
“Thank you for the job you are doing,” said Commissioner Harold Smith.
“We appreciate it and we are going to work with you, stand by you, we are here to help Anson County and the town of Wadesboro,” said Chairman Jamie Caudle.
“I appreciate that, making our citizens safe,” said Ross.
