A founding member and chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Ethics, George Pirkle, resigned Friday, explaining in a sharply worded letter he was stepping down because of “public ridicule” of the board’s work and criticism from members of the Board of Commissioners.
On Tuesday, Pirkle, 63, who served on the board without compensation for 11 years, backed off his allegations of criticism from the commission.
“I didn’t hear it myself, but I was informed of it,” said Pirkle. “I was mistaken. I have since apologized to the commissioners. But my resignation still stands.”
Pirkle said the “last straw” in his decision to resign were comments made by Civil Service Board member Terry Smith during a meeting Thursday of the Civil Service Board, which was considering whether to refile an ethics complaint against former Planning Commissioner Brant Meadows.
The Ethics Board in January threw out the original ethics complaint filed by the Civil Service Board against Meadows in December, ruling that the Civil Service Board had violated several procedures in filing it.
Smith said in the meeting Thursday that the Ethics Board had the power to investigate the ethics charges made against Meadows -- which the Civil Service Board has since dropped -- but he doubted the Ethics Board would pursue an investigation.
“I think history has proven that the Ethics Board in their 11 years of existence has tried to find ways not to have hearings rather than having hearings,” Smith said. “We could ask them to investigate, but I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in the desert that they would undertake an investigation.”
Smith, reached Tuesday, declined to comment. Pirkle said he received a lengthy e-mail from Smith explaining his comments. “I haven’t talked to Terry, but, even if I did, that wouldn’t change my position.” Pirkle said “to the man” the commissioners he apologized to tried to talk him into staying on the Ethics Board.
The resignation comes at a time when the county is trying to refine its Civil Service Board procedures, which have come under public scrutiny for two high-profile, politically charged cases: the Meadows ethics complaint; and the appeal hearing last fall for fired Planning Director Jeff Chance, whose appeal has now moved to Superior Court.
Commissioner Jim Boff said Tuesday he didn’t know of any criticism coming from the commission or commissioners, and he was surprised by Pirkle’s resignation. “It seems to me if you believe in what you’re doing and what you’re doing is right, what do you care what a couple of commissioners have to say?”
Pirkle said his decision also was prompted by health concerns.
Ethics Board clerk Charity Clark said the Civil Service Board will recommend a replacement for Pirkle at its March meeting. That appointment will then have to be confirmed by the Board of Commissioners.
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