Former school board member calls for censure of Stanly County commissioner

Published 9:25 am Tuesday, April 18, 2023

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A recent incident between a Stanly County commissioner and a member of the Stanly Community College’s Board of Trustees came up during Monday’s commissioners meeting.

Former school board member Anthony Graves called for censure of Commissioner Peter Asciutto during the public comments section.

Graves referred to last week’s joint meeting between commissioners and SCC trustees. In that meeting, Asciutto mentioned a recent confrontation between himself and Gerald Wayne Efird, a member of the board of trustees.

In last week’s meeting, Asciutto said while he was spending time as a commissioner at a county convenience center he was giving his card out to citizens. A man he tried to give a card to, later identified as Efird, said, “I don’t take cards from Democrats.”

Ascuitto, a Republican, identified himself as such. Asciutto said Efird called him “a complete piece of ****” and got back in his car.

“I just think we need to work on behaviors and stuff like that,” Asciutto said at the meeting with trustees.

“I do think it’s important for boards to hold their membership accountable if they crossed the line…when you use profanity in a public meeting like that, especially as an elected official, I think you’re held to a higher standard by the public,” Graves said before commissioners Monday.

Graves further quoted from the “Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids” animated series, saying Ascuitto “is like school on Saturday: no class.”

Graves also apologized to County Manager Andy Lucas for publicly blaming him for positions “certain county commissioners” took in the past.

During board comments, Asciutto addressed Graves’ remarks, thanking him for his opinions. Asciutto said the SCC trustee apologized to him five minutes before last week’s joint meeting.

Asciutto said he accepted the apology, but stated he wanted to speak in open session about it “because that situation was pretty egregious. There were so many layers to it.”

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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