Editor’s Note: Incorrect job title details were given for Telisa Franklin in a previous version of this story.

A dozen candidates, half of them women, want to fill the Bartlett interim alderman position vacated by the recent resignation of Bobby Simmons.

The suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in a special workshop Thursday, Aug. 3, to review the selection of a new alderman and consider the information submitted by each applicant.

City Clerk Penny Medlock advised aldermen that they should swear in the chosen applicant on Aug. 22. The person will serve the remainder of that term until Dec. 31, 2024.

Bartlett honors outgoing Alderman Bobby Simmons

“It’s a very diverse slate, and we don’t typically have a lot of diversity for people being appointed,” Alderman David Reaves said.

Simmons announced his decision to resign in late June, citing ongoing health-related issues. His last day in the position was July 31.

Bartlett’s charter requires the board to fill the vacated seat within 30 days from the effective date of the resignation, meaning they have until the end of this month to appoint someone.

The city began accepting applications from potential interim representatives on July 12. Medlock suggested members might consider previous government experience or a graduate of community leadership programs in their selection.

“Also, keep in mind that who you do appoint is a reflection of this board,” she said.

Bartlett begins search for new alderman

In the past, the board sought a replacement who did not plan to seek the office once the interim term ended. Medlock stressed that is not a legal requirement.

Applicants were required to submit a declaration of candidacy along with a cover letter explaining why they are the most qualified candidate for the position and a resume detailing professional experience, public service, and volunteer and charitable work.

Alderman and Vice Mayor Jack Young was appointed to his Position 5 seat in 1999 and has subsequently been elected to that position six times since then.

“(Kenneth) Fulmar was elected mayor, and there were two years left on his term,” Young said. “I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t even interviewed. Me and Beverly Holmgren were nominated by aldermen...and they voted for me.”

Bartlett alderman to resign after nearly two decades in office

Emily Elliott was the last Bartlett alderman to resign before the end of a term. She stepped down in June of last year after 24 years in Position 2 because she was moving out of Bartlett.

Only four applicants sought for the interim role. Mandy Young was chosen to complete her term, that lasted until the end of last year. Robert Griffin now occupies the seat after winning the general election last fall.

The BMA will hold a special-called meeting on Aug. 17 to interview candidates, and then they will vote Aug. 22 to determine who will fill the vacancy.

The list of hopefuls includes:

• Robert “Mitch” Arnold is an engineering supervisor for the Memphis Shelby County Authority Airport. the ran for alderman Position 2 against Emily Elliott in 2018 and is a former member of the Bartlett Station Commission
• Telisa Franklin is community relations manager of Oak Street Health and currently serves as president of the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival in Memphis. She also does work as a radio and TV broadcaster and segment producer.
• Kelly Gilmer works for the Shelby County Trustee’s Office and has a lot of experience with the Boy Scouts.
• Samantha Hammonds works for Alliance Healthcare Services and most recently served as campaign manager for her husband, Bartlett police officer Brent Hammonds, during his run for mayor last year.
• Kenneth Hayes is a retired U.S. Army veteran and is a graduate of the most recent class of Leadership Bartlett.
• Paul Kaiser has served on the Bartlett Planning Commission since 2006 and currently serves on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Last year he ran unsuccessfully for Alderman Position 3.
• James Lammey is a former Shelby County assistant district attorney and retired criminal court judge for the 30th judicial district.
• Dennis Lyon is a retired IT director for The Commercial Appeal and now works in the medical records department for Semmes-Murphey. He has served on the Bartlett Parks and Recreation Advisory Board since 2013 and is a former graduate of Leadership Bartlett.
• Lacey Marise is a mortgage loan officer for Simmons Bank with more than 20 years of volunteer work for Legacy Church.
• Joshua McNeil is a senior account executive for Noresco LLC in Bartlett. He is a former team captain, All-SEC and All-American football star with the University of Tennessee.
• Monique Williams owns the Biscuits & Jams restaurant at 5806 Stage Road in Bartlett, and she is a senior consultant and principal equity partner with Unison Consulting Group.
• Warrie Williams is an assistant pastor with Fullview Baptist Missionary Church, and he currently serves on the Bartlett Industrial Development Board as well as the Code of Appeals Board.