In recent years, the town's finance department only made news for two things: budget deliberations and awards.

Problems with the budget don't seem to be the likely cause of Wiles' demise. Knightdale's budget process has been a relatively smooth effort in recent years, largely because Wiles and his staff watched over the town's money faithfully and the town has maintained a steady, if slow, pace of growth, making it easier for council members to make spending choices year after year.

The department's other foray into the news - for awards - hardly seems like a reason to push Wiles out the door.

Government finance groups have praised the town's finance staff for their management of the town's resources.

Town Manager Gary McConkey and Assistant Town Manager Seth Lawless, have steadfastly refused to comment on the reasons behind Wiles' resignation, citing personnel laws.

But the same law that McConkey and Lawless are hiding behind, gives them the opportunity to explain personnel decisions if they believe it would be in the best interest of the town.

Absent that explanation, townspeople are left to wonder if Wiles did something wrong or if he was simply the victim of town hall politics.

All indications suggest that the upcoming audit will show no signs of mismanagement. That leaves us to believe that Wiles' somehow ended up on the wrong side of a disagreement with McConkey and Lawless.

The two managers would serve their town well by being a little more forthcoming in explaining why they gave the boot to an award-winning employee.