Collegedale Commissioner calls for City Manager change after lack of communication

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee– Collegedale fired its Director of Parks and Recreation, Traci Bennett-Hobek.

Collegedale Commissioner Ethan White said he doesn’t know the full details of the firing but it is within city manager, Ted Rodgers, power to do so.

“The city manager does have the power to terminate people, that’s one of his responsibilities,” said White.

White said his biggest concern is how she was fired immediately but a chief of police is still on paid leave while being investigated.

“We have one set of standards for one employee and we have another set of standards for another employee and that’s not acceptable,” said White.

White said he called for the firing on Rodgers as well as supported a motion for Rodgers resignation. He said this is due to a lack of communication.

“Over the last few years the city manager is going to the point where he’s not been communicating with the commission as much as he should have,” said White.

One person, who ran for commissioner, said he’s not surprised the city manager wasn’t fired.

“I would’ve rather seen a performance improvement plan potentially brought to the table. Which would be an opportunity for the current Collegedale leadership to express their concerns with Mr. Rogers performance,” said Christopher Twombley.

White said the most recent lack of communication is surrounding a new park.

“My problem is we just found out about it two weeks ago from the city when you find out that a quick claim deed has been given to the city with restrictions on it two years ago and I believe 2019 and just to be able to find out about it in 2021 create some kind of angst,” said White.

White said he is not against the park. He said he’s against building the park without it being approved of by the commissioner. He said the contract states even though the park is being donated, the city is responsible for all future upkeep.

“It increases our maintenance cost and our responsibility to take care of that property without the input of the governing body,” said White.

The City of Collegedale declined to respond or comment.