‘About Control’: Selma Councilwoman Censured Following Contentious Meeting, Communications Restricted
SELMA — A contentious Selma Town Council meeting Thursday night ended with a 3-1 vote to censure Councilwoman Susan P. Watson following a hearing marked by sharp exchanges, disputed allegations and criticism from state lawmakers who questioned whether the action was justified.
Mayor Byron McAllister, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Scarboro and Councilwoman Amy West Whitley voted in favor of the censure. Councilman William Overby voted against it.
The censure includes language prohibiting Watson from communicating with all Town of Selma employees other than the town manager.
Background
Watson had announced Jan. 27 she planned to resign from the council just two months after winning election to a four-year term. She reversed that decision before Thursday’s meeting, when McAllister moved forward with a censure hearing.
Mayor outlines allegations
During the hearing, McAllister presented a series of accusations he said demonstrated a pattern of misconduct and misuse of office.
Among the allegations were claims that Watson improperly used her title while endorsing former congressional candidate Kelly Daughtry, requested information from town staff unrelated to council business and consumed excessive staff time, disclosed confidential closed-session information, sought outside legal advice about “sensitive” town matters, used taxpayer resources to assist a local business owner, and failed to represent the town on a Coastal Plain Rural Planning Organization subcommittee. He presented no evidence supporting the claims.
McAllister said he had been “incredibly patient” with Watson but believed the censure had become inevitable.
Watson given limited time to respond
Watson was given 10 minutes to respond to allegations she said she had not seen before the meeting. Before speaking, attorney Jimmy Lawrence stood and identified himself as legal counsel for Watson.
Appearing frustrated and emotional, Watson rejected the accusations and said she had done nothing improper.
Regarding the political endorsement, she acknowledged giving permission for her name to be used in support of Daughtry but said she did not know her council title would be included.
“It was no different than Mayor McAllister having a reelection sign for Council member Amy West Whitley in his yard, and Council member Whitley having Mayor McAllister’s political sign in her yard,” Watson said, arguing that similar political activity had occurred among other elected officials.
Watson defended her communication with town staff, saying she routinely gathers information to prepare for meetings.
“I have every right to speak with town staff to research agenda items,” she said, adding she did not understand what the mayor meant by “unreasonable communication with town staff for political purpose.”
Responding to claims she shared confidential information, Watson said she has never disclosed closed-session discussions and suggested multiple individuals attend those meetings. “There are lots of extra people in closed session,” she said. “Maybe it came from someone other than me.”
Watson said the ball was dropped on her appointment to the Upper Coastal Plain Rural Planning Organization (UCP RPO) subcommittee after she left a sticky note on a town staff member’s desk requesting more details. She said the employee never got back to her, and she accepted responsibility for not following up. Watson added that her questions about training for the position and what would be required were never answered. On Feb. 6, according to the UCP RPO website, 9 of the 24 positions on the subcommittee were vacant, including seats from the Town of Kenly and Pine Level.
She disputed accusations that taxpayer funds were used to support a local business. Watson said the council agreed to determine whether an alleyway pipe needing repairs was on property owned by the town or a business owner, resulting in a $6,500 survey. “Is that what you’re mad about?” she asked.
During the exchange, Watson challenged the mayor’s authority over her actions.
Watson disclosed that the mayor sends emails to town council members instructing them “not to discuss” the email, but she argued that does not necessarily make the communication confidential. “You cannot command me to do anything. Marking it confidential doesn’t mean it’s confidential,” Watson said.
Watson was stopped mid-response when McAllister said her allotted time had expired.
State lawmakers urge reconsideration
Ahead of the meeting, State Sen. Benton Sawrey and Rep. Larry Strickland sent a letter urging council members to reconsider the proposed censure.
“A censure is an extraordinary tool that should only be used in the most serious of circumstances after thorough investigation and deliberation,” the lawmakers wrote.
They said the reasoning appeared to fall short of that standard and suggested the action could be seen as an attempt to “chill legitimate speech with official town action” and punish a perceived political opponent.
The letter described Watson as a dedicated public servant and warned the dispute risked becoming “a serious distraction” from the town’s work.
Vote and closing remarks
Following the 3-to-1 vote approving the censure, Watson continued to defend herself during council comments.
Watson said she prepares extensively for meetings and frequently requests information from staff in person. She recently requested a list of employees who had resigned or left town employment.
“We have a problem. We have a toxic work environment,” she said.
“When you dig in and try to do your job, the mayor tries to control you.”
Watson said she maintains residences in Carteret County and Raleigh but emphasized her ties to Selma.
“I have a house in Carteret County, an apartment in Raleigh and a house in Selma. But I live here and I work here. Selma has always been my home.”
Calling the allegations baseless, she said the censure was politically motivated.
“It is intended to embarrass me in public because I have a different opinion than the mayor,” Watson said. “A censure by this board means nothing to me. I am not the problem.”
She added that actions like the vote discourage public service.
“A censure is why good people hesitate to serve in public office,” she said.
“I didn’t want this drama. If I didn’t defend myself the mayor would present me as a villain.”
“What you have seen tonight is about control. I have become a target,” she said. “A censure by this board means nothing to me. I am not the problem,” she added, calling the situation politically motivated and describing it as “childish drama” by the board.
“You made us look like a clown show tonight,” Watson said before concluding she was “embarrassed to serve on this board.”
Mayor Emphasizes Results
McAllister closed the meeting by emphasizing the town’s progress and focus on results.
“We have to dot our i’s and cross our t’s while keeping the foot on the gas,” he said. “There may be a difference of opinion, but we are accountable for results. And results are pretty awesome right now.”
“If you don’t like amazing, this probably isn’t the right place for you,” he added.
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Looks like the good citizens of Selma got what New York City got when they elected their new mayor!!!!
Susan Watson, I am proud of you for standing up with strength and honor before this board. to me, Selma needs leaders like you. I suggest running for Mayor of Selma should be your next journey.
I think Susan should run for mayor! I’m so sorry that she has been treated so unprofessional by the Mayor.
I have noticed town turnover and constant murmers of the Mayor pressuring and running off staff. It has been here say, and there were legit issues with some of those pressured away. However I also noticed Susan is the one reading letters from state and county Republicans, and getting press from joco Republican party and social media. This lends credence to complaints regarding outside influence from the political parties as well as the complaints of the Mayors interactions with those that disagree with him.
I agree!!!
Selma’s new town slogan, “If you don’t like corruption, this probably isn’t the right place for you.”
Susan is amazing, better listen , hear what she is saying. She can’t be bought and Selma is in good hands with her talent.
McAllister will cost the Town of Selma dearly for his illegal actions. McAllister should resign rather than be face an inevitable forced removal for impropriety.
I don’t live in Selma, but I have met all of the council members. We live in the ETJ. Susan Watson, Amy Whitley and William Overy do have homes in Selma. Amy and William have lived there for many years. They know Selma. My question is why didn’t Mayor Pro tem Joe Scarboro and Mayor Byron McAllister ask Susan about this censure problem in private rather than embarrass her at a public meeting and where’s the evidence she did anything wrong other than Mayor McAllister’s accusations?
20 years ago I would have never imagined that outside influence would creep into quiet Johnston County like a cancer and change the way of life here. We’re definitely living in the days of Noah.
Susan Watson, again, THANK YOU for NOT being a YES person on this town council. Always stick up for what you believe in, as you have always done.. You DEFINITELY would have my VOTE if you ran for Mayor..
Ms. Watson hit the nail on the head when she started asking about the staff turnover in the Town of Selma. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting in on a department head meeting, you’d understand quickly why — the public criticism directed at town staff by the mayor during these meetings was deplorable.
Watching the mayor berate staff over their performance in front of their peers was not only unprofessional but downright cruel. Being publicly humiliated and then privately bullied in your own office would make anyone realize the Town of Selma is not the place to build a career.
It doesn’t matter how many degrees, certifications, or state licenses an employee holds — if the mayor doesn’t agree with you, you’re out. Longtime employees with 20-plus years of service and deep institutional knowledge have been driven away by constant chastisement and disrespect.
Selma voters do not see the same facade as the town employees do. Citizens only see what the mayor allows.
Parents often worry about their children being bullied at school — but imagine your child growing up only to be treated the same way by a so-called leader in their workplace.
Mrs. Watson, I applaud you! Keep up the continued support for the town that you love.
The pre-requisite for a town council board member is to make the mayor look good!
Mrs.S Watson you must have been doing a good job, because your constituents would have let know otherwise. I wonder if the town residents have complained about the other council members not doing what they elected them to do!
Susan is a good person we need her input
The Mayor has made a mockery of the town with his hunger for power. Susan Parrish Watson and her family have been lifelong pillars in this town in civic contributions as well as business ties. Thousands of residents, past & present can attest to her untarnished character. Mr. McAllister needs to be removed from office before more havoc is created or we lose more valuable employees and volunteers that have worked hard to build town. No more destruction is needed .
Great job Mayor keep up the good work don’t let the outside influence determine Selma’s future and Success I have never seen Selma grow so fast you are doing a fine job sir.
I’m moving out of Selma the mayor should not run the town that is why they have a big turn over with town employees. He should let department heads run their departments like Smithfield does.Good job Susan
Finest person you will ever meet … Watson for mayor…
The mayor doesn’t care. He knows what he is using. I’ve seen good people of Selma lose to much. But let him keep saying progress. Funny how special interest is a conspiracy.
The mayor is an embarrassment.
Didn’t McAllister say something in his resolution about it being unethical to use official position to endorse political candidates… rules for thee and not for he…
Isn’t this the mayors second term or more? If so, if he’s doing such a terrible job how is he getting reelected? Selma does need a tremendous amount of work and restructure. The high cost of utilities and the favoritism within the community/town staff has made selma pay a high price on integrity.
There is definitely a cancer in that workplace. People who don’t fall in line get ostracized and punished, often humiliated by the actions of leadership in Selma
Prayers!
Welcome to Clown Town.
Shocking. A ****** mayor in Selma. A place where no one wants to go.
My husband and I moved to Selma four years ago and we have always supported the Mayor. Things are appearing to change with the city council and Mayor. After this last city council meeting and all the accusations and fighting within these meetings it’s definitely time to re-think who you vote for.
Mr. E. R. Davis is rolling over in his grave over this town meeting. Susan is my hero.
Time to remove McAllister for conduct unbecoming
Susan, you really should run for mayor – knowing you grew up in Selma, you are the perfect person to be in charge of the town. Selma has made some great progress over the years…Keep up the good work !!!
I stand with Susan and respectfully ask that Mayor McAllister resign his position because he is not acting in the interest of the citizens of Selma. Mayor McAllister’s theatrics are nothing more than self aggrandizement.
There two other council members that need to have their job performances evaluated.
Susan for mayor
I grew up in Selma and anyone with common sense can see what is REALLY going on here. Do you think Susan is not up to your
standards? I support her and she has been here since birth. How long has the other 3 been in Selma? I will move back to Selma to vote for you for Mayor. You can do this.
I’m scared to comment they might add charges to my light bill. I already had to pay $1800 to transfer my light 4 blocks over literally. So yeah God sit high and look low all ima say!
I don’t live in Selma but with a mayor like this one, I am glad I don’t.
Seems like she was on to something requesting a list of town employees that have quit. I know several that have left, several that are looking to leave and several others that are on the fence about leaving. It all comes down to the leadership of the town. When you have people that have been working in Selma for almost 20 years looking to leave you have to stop and ask yourself if they are that close to retirement why leave? Selma should consider a recall vote on the the 3 but I think if the mayor leaves at least Selma may survive the next few years.
I have the last Mayor of Selma, Mayor Cheryl Oliver, on speed dial!
Selma definitely does not want Cheryl back! Might as well take her name off your speed dial. Lol