Marilyn Campbell Rodman: ‘Together We Can'

by Leslie Lytle,Messenger Staff Writer
Editor’s Note: This is a first in a series of interviews of the mayoral candidates for the Town of Monteagle.
Monteagle Mayor Marilyn Campbell Rodman campaigns for reelection to a third term on Nov. 8 waving the banner, “Together We Can.” Founder, editor and publisher of the community newspaper “The Cumberland View,” Rodman has lived in the area her entire life.
Rodman describes herself as a subjective “passionate” person with a “dollars and cents” objective approach to problem solving learned from her many years as a business woman. She cites the relationships forged in the media business as a great asset to her people-centered approach to governing.
Rodman stresses accountability, integrity and transparency. When Rodman came on board, the most recent audit listed 23 deficiencies. The 2015 audit found only six irregularities, which are being addressed. “We hired a chief financial officer and CPA,” Rodman said, and the investment paid off. Monteagle recently received a Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Rodman also ushered in opening Monteagle City Council meetings to the public and broadcasting council meetings on Grundy County TV, a decision unpopular with some. “If a policy applies to you, it should apply to me,” Rodman insists. “The good old boy system was broken.”
High on Rodman’s list of Monteagle’s pressing needs is improvement and maintenance of infrastructure. “You need to have a vision of not only today, but what do we do tomorrow.”
When Rodman took office, all Monteagle’s roads were seriously in need of attention. “We have a road plan and all but two have since been repaired,” Rodman said.
With drought again a concern, conversations are underway with TDEC regarding Rodman’s proposal to dredge Laurel Lake, the town’s main water supply source, increasing the depth by as much as ten feet with a corresponding increase in available water volume.
Rodman boasts that both the water and sewer budget and general fund now have capital improvement plans in place, with money allocated for infrastructure maintenance and repair.
Where does the money come from? Since 2010 when Rodman took office, sales tax revenue has increased 33 percent. Rodman attributes the increase to the vigorous growth of Monteagle’s single industry, tourism.
Rodman emphasizes the need for promoting tourism by fostering mom-and-pop businesses, “so we can give it back to the people. I don’t want to see my grandkids leave. I want people to have an opportunity to live here and have a good living.”
She cites the movies in the park and the city’s support of the schools as examples of the town “giving back,” while stressing the importance of volunteerism and community involvement. Events popular with tourists such as the Trail of Tears commemorative celebration, car shows, and recent Monteagle homecoming are the result of residents pulling together to make them happen, Rodman points out.
Rodman graduated from Grundy County High School and MTSU, majoring in communications, organizational development, and marketing. She and her husband Ron Rodman have three daughters between them. Some of her family members objected to her running for a third term due to the stress. She has a bucket list identifying the must-do initiatives on the town’s plate. “If I’m not reelected, I’ll pass the list on to my successor,” Rodman said, repeating her motto, “Together we can,” and adding, “because I care.”