Following a 3-to-1 vote, the Four Oaks Town Council has selected Carles R. Surles as a new town commissioner. Surles will fill out the unexpired term of Commissioner Chris Haley who resigned in June just weeks after his arrest on felony drug charges in Operation JoCo Justice.
Surles was not present at the special called meeting. Mayor Linwood Parker asked the four board members to make their selection on a paper ballot. The ballots were tabulated by Assistant Town Clerk Pauline Ketchum who tallied the results. Surles received 3 votes and Joshlyn Williams one vote. The board did not disclose who voted for Surles.
“I am glad that I could help and be in a position to try and do something for my community,” Surles told WTSB News. “I was born and raised in Four Oaks.” Surles says he wants to make sure many of the positive things put in place in the past and are being done currently continue.
Surles, 73, is a graduate of Forest Hills High School and attended Johnston Community College. He served in the US Army from 1963 until 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Combat Flight Medal and Service Cross. He has worked for Johnson & Johnson in Benson and Johnston County Government – Solid Waste Division. He has served on the Four Oaks Fire Department since 1993. He is a former Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon Chairman at his church.
In his application for the position, Surles wrote, “To work on behalf of the citizens of the town would be an honor and a challenge but I believe I would be of value to the board.”
Joshlyn WilIiams and Ian Trammell had also expressed interest in the vacancy.
Surles will be officially sworn to the Four Oaks Town Council during their September meeting.
