Mayor of Stanley now deputy town manager

The most recent mayor of Stanley is now a deputy town manager for the town, and the current town manager plans to eventually retire.

Steven Denton resigned from his position as mayor Tuesday and was appointed deputy town manager, at a salary of $115,000, Town Manager Heath Jenkins said in an email.

Jenkins said he plans to eventually retire, but he may stay with the town up to a year, helping Denton acclimate to the job. No official retirement date has been set yet.

Mayoral responsibilities will be assumed by the Mayor Pro-Tem Cathy Kirkland.

"The Town Council can either appoint her permanently to the position or vacate the position and call for an election that will be held in 2027 to choose a new mayor," Jenkins said.

Once Jenkins retires, Denton may step into the role as town manager, "if the Town Council determines that is the appropriate decision to make," Jenkins said.

"Once a new town manager has been appointed, the deputy town manager position will be dissolved," he added.

Denton was elected as the mayor of Stanley in 2017.

He "has taken an active role in the town's daily operations, earning him the trust and respect of the council staff and residents alike," Jenkins said.

He works as a certified financial planner and as a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.

"Mayor Denton has more than 20 years in the finance sector. He brings a wealth of expertise to his role," Jenkins said. "He and his family have been long-standing members of the community. Mayor Denton’s experience and institutional familiarity make him uniquely qualified for the position."

Jenkins has worked for the town of Stanley full-time since 1988, in various positions including police officer, detective,  chief of police, interim manager and manager. He has been town manager since December of 2012.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Mayor of Stanley now deputy town manager