Two resignations rock Selma Town Council during contentious meeting

SELMA, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Selma Town Council now has two vacancies after two members resigned within minutes of each other Tuesday night.

The abrupt resignations came during the town's council meeting following a "blistering" public airing of the "division" inside Town Hall.

Council member William Overby was the first to announce his resignation near the end of the meeting, followed by council member Susan Parrish Watson just minutes later.

Both resignations are considered effective immediately.

"Given the circumstances ... on behalf of the community," Watson said in part.

Overby and Watson are blaming Mayor Byron McAllister for many of the problems they said led to their decision to leave office.

The two council members allege that McAlllister worked with Mayor Pro Tem Joe Scarboro and another council member while excluding Overby and Watson from discussions about matters coming before the Selma council.