A petition by Stewards of Weddington 

Restore Weddington’s Mayor–Council Government and Honor the Will of Voters

Petitioning the Mayor and Town Council of Weddington (Please do not donate to Change.org)

In 2023, Weddington voters overwhelmingly rejected a change in government - yet Town operations continue to reflect the very system voters rejected.

This petition calls for immediate action to bring Town operations back into alignment with Weddington’s Charter, restore proper oversight by elected officials, and ensure transparency and accountability.

Sign below to support restoring alignment with Weddington’s Charter and the will of voters.

Why This Matters

Since its incorporation on May 2, 1983, Weddington has operated under a Mayor-Council form of government, where elected officials set policy and staff carry it out.

Yet current operations raise serious concerns about whether that structure is being followed in practice.

Over the past two years, residents have raised concerns about:

• Administrative and planning practices
• Oversight and accountability
• Unapproved remote work practices
• Ongoing procedural and compliance deficiencies.

These concerns are documented in resident correspondence to the Town, reflecting a pattern that has continued - and in some cases worsened - highlighting deficiencies in management, oversight, and administrative execution.

Residents are also concerned about statements by the Weddington Finance Officer at the April 13, 2026 Town Council meeting indicating that the Town’s  financial audit, due March 31, was not submitted after the auditor failed to meet the deadline, raising potential state compliance implications and further questions about oversight and administrative execution.

What Happened

• September 13, 2021 - Town Council approved revised job descriptions reflecting a manager-style structure, including placing the Planner under the Administrator
• Since 2021 - The Town has operated with a manager-style reporting structure in practice
• January 9, 2023 - Council voted to pursue a Council-Manager system, acknowledging the Administrator was already performing manager-level functions
• November 2023 Referendum - Residents gathered signatures within ~30 days to force a vote against the change of government 
• Voters rejected the change by ~80/20, affirming the Mayor-Council form of government

The Core Issue

Despite that outcome, Weddington continues to operate in a manner inconsistent with its Charter and the 2023 referendum:

• The 2021 job descriptions remain unchanged
• The reporting structure remains in place
• Town operations continue to deviate from the Charter

This represents a clear and ongoing departure from both the Town’s Charter and the will of Weddington voters. 

Resident Action

On April 17, a formal written report was submitted to Town Council requesting:

• A transparent review
• An independent audit
• Corrective action

This request was based on concerns regarding compliance with North Carolina statutes, along with ongoing clerical and procedural errors spanning a two year time period. 

Mayor–Council Governance: Roles and Responsibilities

Under Weddington’s Mayor-Council form of government, elected officials are responsible for:

• Setting policy
• Maintaining oversight of Town operations

The Town Council holds primary governing authority, including oversight of staff and ensuring compliance with policies, ordinances, and the Charter. The Mayor provides leadership and coordination.

Administrative staff are responsible for implementing - not directing - policy. Their role is to execute decisions of elected officials and remain accountable to them.

Department heads should report directly to the Town Council, consistent with a Mayor-Council form of government.

Residents should expect:

• Clear lines of authority
• Transparent operations
• Visible oversight by elected officials - not delegation of core responsibilities to unelected staff

Call for Immediate Action

• To restore alignment with Weddington’s Charter and honor the will of voters, we call on Town Council to:
• Restore Job Descriptions
   - Align roles with the Mayor-Council Charter
• Reestablish Proper Oversight
   - Ensure staff operate under elected officials - not a de facto manager structure
• Clearly Define and Implement Roles in Practice
  -  Ensure the Mayor-Council system is followed in day-to-day operations - not just on paper
• Align Practice with Policy
   - Bring all operations into full compliance with the Charter
• Provide Transparency
   - Communicate a clear plan, timeline, and visible changes
• Conduct an Independent Assessment  Audit
  -  Initiate a formal audit of administrative practices, including compliance with North Carolina statutes, addressing ongoing procedural deficiencies. Findings should be made public.
• These actions are necessary to ensure the Town operates in accordance with its Charter, strengthens transparency, restores public trust, and upholds the will of Weddington voters.

The Bottom Line: Follow the Charter

Weddington voters made a clear decision.

The question now is whether the Town will follow it.

Sign this petition to call for immediate action and ensure Weddington operates in accordance with its Charter and the will of its voters.

To stay informed on this petition and other town updates, join the Stewards of Weddington Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stewardsofweddington