Wiggins’ shocking retirement announcement

Cordele City Commission chairman cites personal and family reasons for exit from local politics

CORDELE, Ga. —  There will soon be a changing of the guard on the Cordele City Commission as Chairman John Wiggins announces he’ll step away from his post when his term expires.

Wiggins announcement came Tuesday night to a shocked audience, including fellow commissioners such as Wesley Rainey. “I will have to admit I was not prepared for John Wiggins to issue that statement”, said Rainey afterward.

“I’ve always looked up to him, he’s pretty much one of my mentors”, said Commissioner Royce Reeves Sr, who sits next to Wiggins during commission meetings. “I have nothing but goods things for the chairman.”

Commissioner Vesta Beal Shephard adds “it’s a stressful job, but I thank him for the time and dedication he put in; four years have been four good years. I mean we didn’t always see eye to eye, but we respected each other and that’s what counts.”

While there are no formally announced candidates yet, local pundits believe Royce Reeves Sr. is a likely choice to run to succeed Wiggins.