MILLINGTON, TN (abc24.com) - The City of Millington has a new mayor. The Board of Aldermen chose Linda Carter to serve as Interim Mayor, serving the remaining year of Richard Hodges' term.
"We've accomplished too much, we have too much going on and my love for Millington, I don't want to drag Millington out on it if it means removing me so Millington can go forward," Hodges said of his departure from office in light of his indictment on bribery charges.
As Hodges packed up his office, he left behind hundreds of pages detailing projects he wasn't able to complete, hoping his predecessor will.
Linda Carter has been dedicated to community service her entire life in the town of Millington. She served 20 years on the Board of Aldermen, and now she'll serve as mayor.
"I will do the very best I can to work with these gentlemen to bring us back where we need to be," Carter stated.
Hodges didn't leave office without a piece of advice for Carter, "Watch your P's and Q's; it don't matter if you're innocent or guilty, it's what the public perceives."
"Somebody's going to be watching, you're under a magnifying glass," he added.
Hodges hopes his retirement helps him break free from that glass.
After the January 13th vote, the three aldermen who voted for former mayor George Harvell changed their vote to show unanimous support for Carter.
Hodges told abc24.com that if he is cleared of all charges, he will not rule out the possibility of running for mayor again.
