“I’m here to take responsibility”: Creedmoor mayor faces public reckoning as Board moves to strip authority

Inside a tense and deeply personal April 21 work session, leadership in Creedmoor confronted a question that rarely surfaces so openly in local government: What happens when trust is broken and can it be rebuilt while still in office?

For Creedmoor Mayor Antwane Downey, that question is no longer theoretical. It’s defining his leadership in real time.

When Mayor Downey requested to address the board, the room shifted.

He stepped forward not just as mayor, but as a man under scrutiny.

“I’m not here to make excuses. I’m here to take responsibility… I recognize that this situation has impacted that trust. And for that, I'm sincerely sorry.”

Downey addressed a February incident in which he was charged with his fifth DWI in seven years, acknowledging both the weight of the situation and the expectations tied to his role. 

“As your mayor, I hold a position of trust.”

He detailed steps toward recovery, including completing a 30-day treatment program and continuing outpatient care. “That work is ongoing and I take that very seriously every day because all we have is today.”

But his message went beyond accountability. It was also a plea. “Let me finish my term… I can do this job and be the mayor that the people voted for.”

A Board Responds with Sympathy, But Firm Opposition

What followed was not silence, but a layered, emotional, and at times, unyielding response.

Commissioner Darryl Moss acknowledged his shared history with Downey. “We campaigned together. We won together," Moss said. But he drew a clear line between personal support and public responsibility: “With as much respect… I ask that you submit your resignation.”

The issue, Moss emphasized, wasn't just the incident, it was trust. “Sadly… your actions continue to make that trust an issue for our community.”

“God Forgives… But We Represent the Citizens”

Commissioner Ed Gleason delivered one of the most pointed responses of the night, grounding his remarks in both personal experience and public duty. “God forgives… but God does not represent the citizens of Creedmoor. You did.”

Gleason, who identifies himself as a recovering alcoholic, also challenged the timing of the mayor's apology: “First time I ever heard you mention the word ‘sorry’ was tonight.”

For Gleason, the issue extended beyond personal redemption to public accountability.

A Pattern, Not a Moment

Commissioner Kicinski expanded the conversation beyond the incident itself, pointing to a broader pattern of concern. “You put us all in a very bad light," she said. "Everywhere I go, people are asking about you.”

She cited missed obligations, public perception, and the strain placed on both staff and the city’s reputation. And like others on the board, she returned to the same conclusion: “We are asking again that you submit your resignation.” 

Leadership vs. Legitimacy

Commissioner Way framed the issue through the lens of responsibility and public image: “You are the face of the city of Creedmoor.”

He acknowledged the limits of the board’s authority. “I cannot make you resign… that is a decision you have to make.” But his recommendation was clear: “If I were you… I would resign… and focus on your health and your family.”

From Words to Action: Stripping Authority

The emotional weight of the discussion quickly translated into structural action. The board moved forward with a resolution, one that fundamentally reshaped the mayor's role. Citing “recent public incidents,” the board determined the mayor "cannot be trusted to responsibly exercise the authority and privileges delegated to his office.”

The resolution revoked multiple powers, including:

• Speaking on behalf of the city
• Access to City Hall outside meetings
• Use of city-issued communication tools
• Possession of city property, including keys and equipment

While the mayor retains authority granted by law, the board effectively removed discretionary powers previously extended to the office.

The vote passed unanimously. 

A City Watching in Real Time

This was not just a meeting. It was a public reckoning.

For residents, the implications are immediate:

• A mayor still in office but with limited authority
• A board unified in concern but unable to remove him outright
• A city navigating leadership under pressure

The Final Words

Mayor Downey closed with conviction. “I am here. I’m doing the work… and I intend to continue serving." But the board's response made it clear that service alone is not enough. Trust must follow.

In Creedmoor, that is now being tested. Publicly, structurally, and in real time.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDVNTeEhvU

https://www.cityofcreedmoor.org/news/city-government/board-of-commissioners/agendas-minutes