DILLON COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Dillon County Administrator Rodney Berry resigned from the position Friday afternoon.

After Dillon County Council members voted against extending the county administrator’s contract Wednesday evening, another council meeting was called for Friday afternoon. The meeting, scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday at council chambers, 109 South 3rd Avenue, was announced Thursday morning.

At the top of the meeting, Berry’s resignation was announced. Lisa Gray, former Dillon Clerk to Council, has been named interim county administrator.

“I’m not bitter, I’m not bitter,” Berry said. “It’s the end of the road for this chapter.”

Rodney was the county administrator for two-and-a-half years.

“I think perhaps maybe my abilities were exhausted here,” he said. “I have worked very good with the council, they’ve worked very good with me,” he continued. “Nobody’s lost focus or sight that great things are in store for Dillon County.”

The local Dillon newspaper published two paid advertisements on Tuesday that alleged the deputy administrator position doesn’t require a high school diploma or college degree.

“I maintain that when I hired the deputy administrator, that he was the best qualified,” said Berry.

Berry hired Robbie Coward as the deputy administrator. Coward resigned from his position on Friday as well.

Berry said the advertisements in the paper did not sway his decision to resign.

“Things like that certainly doesn’t influence me, and how I operate,” he said. “Did it influence the council? I can’t say. I don’t know,” Berry continued. “I think perhaps there was a new direction the council wanted to take,” Berry said after the meeting. “And I fully respect that. Being equipped with that, I thought that I would walk away.”

Berry said he still wants to help Dillon County, and will pursue a job in economic development.

“I felt like we had a lot of momentum in Dillon County,” he said.”And I proclaim that that momentum will continue. The fact that it continues without me directly related, hurts somewhat because this is very special,” he continued. “I was raised, and do love Dillon County.”

Coward declined an interview with News13.