John Coffelt, Editor

Area plant manager Thomas Crosslin was appointed to the vacant alderman seat on Thursday, Oct. 24 by Mayor Joey Hobbs.

“After reviewing (all of the 12 candidates) I figured his background and my background (meshed),” Hobbs said. “I feel he is more business oriented.”

Crosslin is a native of Manchester, married 24 years and has two daughters. Crosslin is the Plant Manager at Dexter Axle and is President of the Red Raider Band Booster Association, Treasurer for Good Samaritan of Coffee County and serves as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester.

Crosslin, who will serve the remaining two years of Hobbs’ alderman seat, said he is eager to get to work with the city.

The appointment comes just over 60 days from Hobbs taking the oath of office as mayor. As laid out in the city charter, alderman vacancies are to be filled by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. In the event that the vacancy is not filled in 60 days the mayor can step in and make the appointment.

Three meetings in September and October failed to make quorum due to the absences of Alderman Ryan French and Vice Mayor Mark Messick. On Sept. 11, Hobbs posted on the Joey Hobbs, Mayor of Manchester Facebook page, allegations that the other aldermen had colluded outside public meeting to preselect a candidate. 

Aldermen Julie Anderson and Donny Parsley denied the allegations and Aldreman James Threet declined to comment. Anderson also criticized French and Messick for holding up city business. 

Anderson, Threet and Parsley were absent for a special call meeting Oct. 24 and again it failed to make quorum.

Hobbs said the board is very divided at the current moment.

“This should show everybody tonight that this is politics at its best here,” Hobbs said.    

He said, however, that each member of the board has a strong desire to do what’s best for Manchester and that the board will eventually overcome its differences.

“Time heals, he said. “Everyone went out and ran a race for their love of the city…. If each one will look inside on what they ran on and what they want for the city – how could you not unite?”

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.