For far too long, Stanley, NC has been overshadowed by unethical behavior under the leadership of Steven Denton. Once the Mayor, Steven Denton was involved in the creation of a new position, Deputy Town Manager, and shockingly resigned from his mayoral position only to immediately assume this new post which paid him $115,000/year with a stipend for a leased vehicle. This move alone raised eyebrows and has left many of us questioning the integrity and ethics of our local governance.

The Town personnel policy states: 

"III.2.a: recruitment and Advertisements. When position vacancies occur, the Town shall publicize these opportunities for employment, including applicable salary information and employment qualifications. information on job openings and hiring practices will be provided to recruitment sources. Jobs will be advertised in local newspapers, professional publications, and other relevant publications in order to establish a diverse and qualified applicant pool. In rare situations because of emergency conditions, high turnover, etc., the Town may hire or promote without advertising jobs, upon approval of the Town Manager. In such emergency situations, explanatory documentation regarding the condition(s) that precipitated the hiring, or promotion shall be generated by the Town Manager."
(https://townofstanley.org/.../View/386/Personnel-Policy-PDF

Explanatory documentation for the hiring without advertising was requested as a public records request; the Town did not respond.

On November 4, 2024 the Stanley Town Council appointed Drew Stewart as an At-Large Councilmember to replace Cathy Kirkland in Ward 2. Drew Stewart did not live in Ward 2 at that time.  On March 3, 2025 the Stanley Town Council, at the request of Deputy Town Manager Denton, re-drew the boundaries of Ward 2 in order to include Drew Stewart's neighborhood. Ward 2 was originally the north-east corner of Stanley.  It now includes Mr. Stewart's neighborhood of Jackson Park on the south side of Stanley. The old and new parts of Ward 2 are geographically separated by Ward 3.

Also in March 2025, Deputy Town Manager Denton is elected chairman of the Gaston County Republican Party.  (https://gaston.nc.gop/2025dentonbio On August 6, 2025, the Gaston GOP posted their voter guide online, endorsing many municipal candidates including local Stanley incumbents Chad Jones and Drew Stewart.  Six days later (August 12, 2025) Stanley Town Council members Jones and Stewart voted alongside other GOP-endorsed Council members to give Gaston County GOP Chair Denton, an employment contract as Stanley Town Manager beginning January 1, 2026.  The Contract included a salary of $170,000/year and permission for Mr. Denton to continue working as partner, branch manager, and financial advisor at his financial institution.  It also includes a golden parachute where the Town of Stanley must pay Mr. Denton TWO YEARS SALARY if they terminate him.
(https://www.townofstanley.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/ 08122025-86 - see "Closed Session" at the end of the minutes.)

Such behavior is unethical and undermines the trust and transparency necessary for effective local governance.

Furthermore, the day after the GOP-endorsed candidates lost their races, the Town of Stanley filed arrest warrants for supporters of the opposing candidates. These charges were related to incidents that allegedly occurred two years ago. The timing of these actions is suspect and reeks of political retaliation, further eroding the public's trust in our local government. 

As citizens who care deeply about our community and its governance, it is our responsibility to ensure that those who hold office do so with integrity and accountability. The actions of Steven Denton have demonstrated a clear conflict of interest and lack of ethical judgment that cannot be ignored.

We urge the Town Council to take immediate action and ensure that Steven Denton resigns from his current position as Deputy Town Manager and declines the offer to become Stanley's Town Manager. Our community deserves leadership that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and the best interest of its citizens over personal and political gains.

Please join us in advocating for a change in leadership by signing this petition. Let's ensure Stanley is governed by individuals with integrity and ethical standards that we can trust.