MILLERSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Former Franklin alderman Gabrielle Hanson sent Millersville commissioners an email Wednesday evening applying for the town's open city manager position.
Hanson, who lost her bid for Franklin mayor last year after a series of controversies that included her ties to white supremacists, said her interest in the city manager position began after a recent trip to help relocate an industrial real estate client to Millersville.
She said the city appeared “surprisingly bleak,” but she believed that, with her help, Millersville could be a “shining star in this great state.”
“It will take vision, an extreme amount of hard work and a passion for serving the citizens to make it happen," Hanson said.
"I am completely willing to put the real estate on the back burner and allow my office to operate with a manager other than myself. I am also willing to relocate, as I know the hours will be long in order to rebuild your community and gain trust with the citizens. I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for the position of City Manager,”
During her unsuccessful campaign for Franklin mayor, Hanson was the subject of numerous NewsChannel 5 investigations.
Hanson’s email points out that she’s aware of prior reporting on the small town of Millersville, which has at times made headlines for allegations of misconduct by Millersville police officers.
“So I went back and searched up Millersville. My heart sank when I read of the recent negative headlines surrounding your town. I am aware that media isn't always accurate in their description of a situation, but there is a huge comeback story here," she wrote.
"Sensationalism and negativity sells far more than a positive story so media rarely represents the good that is happening. While researching, I also discovered you were looking for a new city manager. So, I have submitted my resume through the channels mentioned in the job posting."
As for why Millersville, Hanson mentions her experience as an elected official, but also says her experience as a Realtor makes her, “acutely aware of the developmental aspects of how to build a community that has a sense of place.”
Tina Tobin has served as the interim Millersville city manager since January when city commissioners fired then-city manager Scott Avery.
Avery served as city manager when NewsChannel 5 Investigates discovered that the city's top cops were working full-time without being certified to do so. This eventually led to both police chief Melvin Brown and assistant police chief Glenn Alred resigning from their positions.
Tobin told NewsChannel 5 that she is only serving temporarily and will move on from Millersville once commissioners choose a full-time replacement.
At last check, Tobin said the city has at least four applications for the city manager position.
We know that many names are dropped relating to Millersville and its city government.
Because of that, we have compiled a list of who is who among those who have been involved.
Tim Lassiter: The former mayor of Millersville stepped down amid a lawsuit filed against the city in 2021 by two former police officers who claimed they were intimidated out of the job.
Dustin Carr: The former police chief of Millersville resigned in late 2022 after the lawsuit continued to move in the courts. The lawsuit was moving through the courts when he resigned.
Glenn Alred: The former Millersville assistant police chief who resigned in 2023. He was under scrutiny by the Tennessee POST Commission launched an investigation into claims that he was working full-time without being a certified cop.
Melvin Brown: The former police resigned after the Tennessee POST Commission said the department was running "illegally."
Scott Avery: The former city manager who was fired in late 2023 after only having been there around a year. There were was little explanation by Millersville City Commissioners, who have the hiring and firing power for the position.
Jack Freedle: The former city attorney who was fired less than 24 hours after Avery in 2023.
Tina Tobin: The interim city manager who came after Scott Avery. She went on to fire several people in her rank even though her job is currently only temporary. Residents have since questioned her leadership.
Rob Richman: The former police chief who was hired in late 2023 but was shortly fired thereafter when the city manager's role changed hands. He was the fourth chief of Millersville since 2021.
Brandon Head: The longtime fire chief was fired by the interim city manager. He had been there since 2006. After his firing, 17 firefighters walked off the job.
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