Local residents are divided over the decision by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners to end negotiations with County Manager William Wilson Jr., which prompted the latter’s resignation Monday morning.

“I’m deeply disappointed,” said Dave Lamb, chairman of the Spalding County Water and Sewerage Facilities Authority. “I think that it’s one of the darker days for Spalding County.”

He said there are so many important things going on — keeping existing businesses in the county and bringing new ones in. The county needs a strong leader, something it had in Wilson, and will likely go without one for months until a new county manager is found. He said people often don’t understand the sheer number of decisions that need to be made in order to keep the county running and making these decisions was something Wilson was good at. He said Wilson was one of the better county managers in the state. Furthermore, Lamb is concerned that Wilson’s departure could affect the purchase of the Springs Industries wastewater treatment plant, which will be used to provide sewer service to the northern part of the county.

“There (are) hundreds of hours of administrative decisions to be completed once that’s done,” he said.

Kathy Noble did not approve either.

“I think it’s a shame,” she said. “He has served this community with dignity for a about a quarter of a century. I’ve seen him treated appallingly and I’m embarrassed.”

Other residents had a different view on the matter.

“I think perhaps that’s better for William to step down than be fired,” said John Dugdale.

He said he had mixed emotions about the situation — Wilson is from the area and has worked for the county for a long time, but there are things going on that the general public is not aware of.

“I tried to find out but they wouldn’t tell me,” he said.

He said part of him is ready for change but another part of him is sorry the situation turned out as it did.

“I’m sure William will do fine,” he said. “He’s a good, upstanding young man.”

Stephen Tarpley said he agreed with what Wilson said in his letter of resignation, that his resignation was the best for harmony in Spalding County.

“Everyone’s drawn a line in the sand — everyone’s for him or against him,” he said.

He said he had nothing personal against Wilson, although he said Wilson had treated him arrogantly a couple of years ago when a dirt road that was slated to be paved was not. He said many people felt Wilson would be better suited working for the city, not the county.