Local

Former Iredell Co. commissioner voted back into office after asked to resign

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A former Iredell County commissioner was voted back into office after her colleagues asked her to resign for falsifying inspection documents at the day care where she worked.

Iredell County Commissioner-elect Renee Griffith says the voters have made their choice. She says now that she has a second chance, she's ready to put the past behind her and hopes the board is too. In an interview with Eyewitness News she said she's ready to get back to work.

"I would hope that all of us would put our personal feelings aside for the good of this county and look at those issues and move the county forward," said Griffith.

The issue is, now that she's back on the board, she's working with the same people who asked her to step down.

Griffith was the director at Cornerstone Christian Academy's preschool. Earlier this year she changed the date on an old building inspection, so that the school could be approved to convert some rooms into classrooms. When the state asked about it, Griffith blamed it on an employee who didn't exist.

"I did not break the law. What I did was unethical and it was not right."

Griffith admitted her wrongdoing and as punishment, the state gave the preschool a citation which could affect their rating.

When Griffith resigned from the board she also resigned as the director of the Christian school's day care but not from the school, which is where she is still the principal. Despite that Griffith said she won re-election by 18 percent of the vote.

Iredell residents we spoke to said they think she deserves a second chance.

"I think we all make mistakes so I think she's entitled to that mistake," said Jim Iredell.

However, board members aren't too forgiving.

"I think everybody knows what I think about it. We've had an election, and the folks have voted for all five of us to serve," said Board Chairman Steve Johnson.

Johnson said he and the other board members agree they won't let their opinions get in the way of county work.

Eyewitness News has reached out to the county manager's office and they told us the board will receive the same support it always has. Griffith will begin her second term as county commissioner in on Dec. 3, when she is sworn into office.