Chris Haley’s Resignation Letter Includes 1948 Poem
A Four Oaks town commissioner arrested on felony drug charges in Operation JoCo Justice has resigned.
In a special called meeting of the Four Oaks Town Board Thursday afternoon, commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of Chris Haley. Haley had served 6 years on the council. He was not present at the meeting but his resignation letter was read out loud by Commissioner Vic Medlin.
In his resignation letter, Haley said he has experienced “… continual unprovoked and exaggerated experiences…” along with “unbiased smears” to his reputation. His letter also included a poem from Gertrude Tooley Buckingham who published a book in 1948 called Poems at Random.
Haley, 61, is currently free on a $60,000 bond awaiting trial on allegations he sold 6 oxycodone pills to a confidential informant working with Four Oaks Police on March 6, 2018 inside the Four Oaks city limits. Haley was among more than 100 people arrested for the alleged street level sales of meth, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription pills during the June 5th roundup. Haley is facing 2 felony charges for the alleged incident.
Haley’s typed resignation letter was addressed to Mayor Linwood Parker and members of the Town Council. It read:
Please accept this as official notice of my resignation. As you known, over the last 3 years, I have faced some challenging incidents, accusations, and unbiased smears to my reputation. Alone, I can handle these pitfalls however my family and constituents do not deserve to be inundated with these distractions.
In the hearts of most, they know that I am a genuine person who puts others needs above mine. I acknowledge that I have made mistakes but the continual unprovoked and exaggerated experiences have been unjustifiable.
When I was appointed six years ago, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I would be continuing the legacy of my father by being a pillar in the Four Oaks community. This experience has allowed me to grow professionally and serve the residents of Four Oaks.
I am thankful for the opportunity to work towards and accomplish board goals and objectives during my tenure. I have been honored to serve with all of you to achieve our towns collective mission “…to continually improve the quality of life for our residents and business community by providing responsive and efficient services.” I will forever be passionate about the Town of Four Oaks mission through continual service to my community.
Please know that I am more than willing to lend support when and where I can in the future. In addition, I would be happy to meet with the council to discuss the transition of my duties to my successor.
I shall not judge the ones I see in sin…
I shall not judge; for who am I to judge?
For I, myself, am far from perfect, too!
So, God, I place each child of Thine in love;
For there is no one perfect, Lord, but you!
-Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, “I Shall Not Judge” (1940’s)
The town board did not announce how they plan to search for a replacement for Haley. The next scheduled board meeting is in July.
Haley was arrested by Selma Police in June 2017 on a felony firearms charge but the charges were later dropped. In June 2015, Haley was arrested on a domestic assault charge. Those charges were also dismissed.
