| Viewing Single Post From: Blog and Media Roundup - Friday, July 3, 2009 | |
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| abb | Jul 3 2009, 04:00 AM |
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http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1593702.html Published: Jul 03, 2009 02:00 AM Modified: Jul 03, 2009 04:18 AM Glover Wilson In-law: Patrol chief forced out Former Commander Walter J. Wilson Jr. and state officials won't talk about it. BY DAN KANE, Staff Writer RALEIGH - The official story is State Highway Patrol Commander Walter J. Wilson Jr. decided to retire after a year on the job to spend more time with his family. That created the need for a successor, and Gov. Beverly Perdue appointed a lieutenant colonel, Randy Glover, to the post this week. But Wilson's brother-in-law said in an interview that story is not true. Wilson was forced out, Michael Madras said, because Perdue had someone else in mind for the state's top cop. Madras said he learned this from Wilson himself minutes after Wilson attended a meeting with Reuben Young, whom Perdue appointed to run the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Young told Wilson at that meeting June 22, just after Wilson returned from Disney World in Orlando with his family, that he needed to step down. "He went on vacation and came back, and his boss says, the governor wants you gone," Madras said. Wilson works at the patrol's headquarters, but he lives in Greenville, so during the workweek he often stays at the home of Madras and his wife, Penny, Wilson's sister. They live in Raleigh. The alternative version of events leading to Glover's promotion raises questions that Perdue, Young, Wilson and Glover would not discuss. All declined through spokesmen to be interviewed. Chrissy Pearson, Perdue's press secretary, would not say whether Perdue wanted Wilson out. Pearson also declined to say whether Perdue had sought to promote Glover into the job. "She accepted [Wilson's] letter, his intent to retire," Pearson said. "She instructed Secretary Young to quickly find a replacement, and when the secretary brought to her his recommendations, the governor reviewed his recommendations and the secretary implemented the promotions that she wanted to take place." Madras said Young gave Wilson no indication that he had done anything improper as commander. Wilson, 49, has been with the patrol for 29 years, holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute in Louisville , Ky. , and the FBI National Academy in Quantico , Va. Perdue's predecessor, Mike Easley, appointed Wilson in June 2008 to replace the retiring Fletcher Clay, who had held the job for nearly four years. At the time, the patrol was grappling with numerous scandals ranging from troopers caught in affairs while on duty to a canine unit shut down over allegations of mistreatment. Wilson did not intend to hold the position as a caretaker while voters decided who would succeed Easley. Perdue, a New Bern Democrat who had been lieutenant governor and a state senator, won the election. Madras said that over the first six months of Perdue's administration, Wilson unsuccessfully sought a meeting with her to discuss her plans for the patrol and whether she wanted him to continue. At one point, Madras said, Wilson asked Young whether he should step down, thinking Perdue's lack of contact was a sign she didn't plan to keep him in the job. Young encouraged Wilson to stay on. At the June 22 meeting, Young told Wilson he had to step down. Madras said that Wilson thought from that meeting that Perdue had someone else in mind for the job, but he did not tell Madras who that was. Capt. Everett Clendenin, a patrol spokesman, said Young would not talk about the conversations. "He considers those conversations private," Clendenin said in a statement. During the election, rumors swirled that Perdue would make Glover commander. Glover, 49, has also been with the patrol for 29 years and spent the first seven in Harnett County. He was transferred to Perdue's hometown in June 1987 and spent much of his career in that area, according to the Sun Journal of New Bern. He continues to live there. Wilson's retirement takes effect Aug. 1. The position pays $117,406 annually. News researcher BrookeCain contributed tothisreport. dan.kane@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4861 |
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| Blog and Media Roundup - Friday, July 3, 2009 · DUKE LACROSSE - Liestoppers | |
2:07 AM Dec 4
