Endorsement From Rod Freeman, former Brentwood Commissioner

Friends,

Recently, I have been asked by several friends, “what is going on with the Brentwood City Commission and who should I vote for in the upcoming election?”

Every two years, we, as citizens of Brentwood, have the privilege and responsibility of electing our representatives on the Brentwood City Commission. We have seven (7) Commissioners that we elect to represent us and make important decisions concerning the safety and financial security of this place we call Brentwood. Beginning next week, April 24, early voting will begin, and Election Day is May 6th. This election is especially important. And your vote is critical.

As citizens of Brentwood, we have enjoyed a conservatively run city with an exceptional City Staff. We have been blessed beyond measure. Unfortunately, only about 8-11% of Brentwood’s eligible voters cast a vote on any given May election. And I would guess only 10% of those voters know the candidates and their qualifications beyond the names they see on the proliferation of yard signs during these May elections.

Each of you know me personally and I hope that you recognize that I consider living here in Brentwood an absolute privilege and blessing. Since having served on the City Commission from 2011-2015, I have remained interested in how our City has been operating and how our elected Commissioners have been serving on our behalf.

In 2013, in the middle of my four (4) term, a Commissioner was elected and almost immediately began a disruptive and harmful pall on the Commission. I have followed the various actions of the Commission since 2015. I have noticed that there is an increasing polarization on the Commission that has negatively affected the governance of our city. What has compelled me to send this message to each of you now was last week’s City Commission meeting on Monday, April 14th. It was an embarrassing display of unprofessional and politically motivated motions and comments. It was a foretaste of what we have to look forward to if we don’t make an immediate change to our current Commission.

An analogy that comes to mind is the one that states, "one bad apple spoils the bunch." It means that one undesirable person can negatively affect the entire group. That is what has happened to our City Commission.

I speak to you from firsthand knowledge of this “one bad apple.” The Commissioner that I speak of is Mark Gorman. It wasn’t long after he was elected to the City Commission that he accused me of unethical behavior during one of our City Commission Meetings. His assertions directed towards me were unfounded and without merit. Claims of unethical behavior have surfaced again over the last few months and directed towards Commissioner Nelson Andrews. Again, the claims were without merit.

The latest attack occurred at last week’s Commission Meeting and was directed towards Rhea Little and wreaked of dirty politics. This ethics complaint was read into last week’s Commission Meeting by someone other than the author and was totally without merit and uncalled for. The Commission should have immediately dismissed the claims wrongly brought against Commissioner Little. Instead, a pre-prepared motion was read by Commissioner McMillan calling for an outside legal opinion that would not only cost the City money, but no action would be taken until after the May 6th election. Clearly a political smear of Rhea Little’s impeccable name and service to our community and his re-election bid.

Commissioners Gorman, Spears, Travis, and McMillan all voted in favor of McMillan’s prepared motion. It was more than apparent that this allegation was premeditated and directed at Rhea to smear his name only days before the election. What is even more telling is that the allegation was for a matter that occurred on October 26, 2024, yet wasn’t brought forth publicly until last week’s Commission Meeting.

I am familiar with all that I have shared with you and would be happy to answer any questions you have regarding this election and the actions of our City Commission. Understanding that this is a lot to digest and only from my point of view, I am attaching letters from sitting Commissioner Anne Dunn, former City Manager Mike Walker, and citizen Roger Greenup. I have also attached Commissioner Andrews’ most recent Newsletter, “The Real Issues in Brentwood’s Upcoming Election.” I have permission from each of these individuals to share their letters with you and I encourage you to take time reading each of them for a more complete understanding of what I have attempted to share with you in this lengthy message.

Additionally, I would encourage you to watch last Monday’s Commission Meeting (brentwoodtn.new.swagit.com/videos/340016, in particular citizen comments at 12:59 minutes and Commissioner’s comments at 1:10:49) to fully understand the dire situation we have at the City Commission.

Lastly, I want you to know that I am voting for Rhea Little, Dr. Janet Donahue, and Kim Smithson Gawry. I know each of these individuals personally and I strongly recommend them to you for your vote. Please feel free to share my comments with your friends.

Thank you for your time,

Rod Freeman, former Brentwood Commissioner