College Park has fired its city manager just eight months after promoting him from an interim role.
Dr. Emmanuel Adediran left city council chambers during a Monday meeting after council approved the vote to terminate his position. Councilman Roderick Gay introduced the motion to terminate him “for cause,” citing “willful misconduct” and alleging “dishonesty in the use of city property, benefits, and interactions with officials of the city.”
No additional details were offered publicly during the meeting.
The vote split the council 2–2, with Councilmembers Tracie Arnold and Roderick Gay in favor of termination and Councilmembers Jamelle McKenzie and Joe Carn opposed. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom cast the deciding vote to remove Adediran.
Although Adediran initially attended the meeting in his official capacity, Councilwoman McKenzie later noted that he was on family medical leave and said she believed the termination was unfair.
Public concern followed during public comment. Two citizens expressed worry that Adediran is a scapegoat in the city’s ongoing issue over Chelsea Gardens apartment complex.
In late April, College Park condemned Chelsea Gardens following public pleas from residents facing eviction under new ownership. Tenants described deplorable conditions at the complex, including severe mold, rodent infestations, water shutoffs, and collapsing infrastructure.
Later in Monday’s meeting, council approved an $86,000 contract with Sage Hands, an organization that says it is helping to relocate Chelsea Gardens residents. However, the reasoning for that monetary agreement remains unclear — especially since the property owner has reportedly pledged to cover relocation expenses.
Adediran’s removal adds to a string of high-profile city manager firings in College Park.
He was appointed interim city manager in January 2024 after serving as public works director. His promotion followed the resignation of then–City Manager Stanley Hawthorne.
Hawthorne was first fired in error by city council which knew his resignation was forthcoming. The city later rescinded his firing and agreed to pay him nearly $140,000.
Before Hawthorne, City Manager Darnetta Tyus was fired after just four months on the job. She sued the city and saying that she was given no reason for her dismissal.
You all failed to mention that under the reign of Adedirian over 15 Department Heads and senior staff were unfairly terminated or they resigned. Tell all of the story. Also, the City Clerk was on FMLA when she was fired by Adediran. Also, the Economic Development Director was also fired by Adedirian. Not to mention the Purchasing Director… you guessed it, FIRED. Let’s talk about the separation of the Finance Director… they PAID her to leave. Oh yeah, the HR Director… anyway. You get where I’m going. Adediran had it coming once he betrayed the person who hired him initially.
All of that is true AND College Park hired him despite him overriding the then city manager and boarding up the Mayor’s Office at the Council’s request. He fired staff at the will of council despite having no cause or escalating issue. He assisted in the termination of dedicated staff due to their unwillingness to participate in unethical activities. He was not qualified to begin with and had been terminated from his employer prior to College Park due to questionable activities.
WOW!!! “once he betrayed the person who hired him initially”…….That is REATLIATION!!! Let’s talk about thosr “Firings”……the ones FIRED were done because of INSUBORDINATION!!!!!! THEY REFUSED TO WORK WITH DR. A and thought that FAT Meat was not greasy…..AND THEY FALSELY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE CLAUSE ON THE OMNIBUS PASSED BY COUNCIL THAT WOULD ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO APPEAL “FIRING” TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW!!!!!
SO MANY PEOPLE TOOK AN FMLA LEAVE TO BUY TIME AND ONCE IT RAN OUT, THEY QUIT!!!!! DR. ADEDIRAN WAS NOT THE CHIEF REASON FOR THAT…..THEY ALL CITED “A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT BROUGHT ON BY MAYOR & COUNCIL”
SO, YEAH….LET’S TELL IT ALL!!
AND REMEMBER: STANLEY HAWTHORNE WAS SUBMITTING A LETTER OF RESIGNATION AFTER ONLY 10 MONTHS ON THE JOB AS CITY MANAGER!!!!!
WHY: need I say more!!!!!!
I agree. He was never a good choice to begin with. He literally assisted in the harassment and hostile work environment. Good riddance! He was overly paid to do absolutely nothing but be a yes man. Now let’s get the bad council out and bring back the “good staff” back. Starting with Mercedes, Tasha, Michele, Shavela, Willis, Althea and Stanley!
WOW!!! “once he betrayed the person who hired him initially”…….That is REATLIATION!!! Let’s talk about thosr “Firings”……the ones FIRED were done because of INSUBORDINATION!!!!!! THEY REFUSED TO WORK WITH DR. A and thought that FAT Meat was not greasy…..AND THEY FALSELY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE CLAUSE ON THE OMNIBUS PASSED BY COUNCIL THAT WOULD ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO APPEAL “FIRING” TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW!!!!!
SO MANY PEOPLE TOOK AN FMLA LEAVE TO BUY TIME AND ONCE IT RAN OUT, THEY QUIT!!!!! DR. ADEDIRAN WAS NOT THE CHIEF REASON FOR THAT…..THEY ALL CITED “A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT BROUGHT ON BY MAYOR & COUNCIL”
SO, YEAH….LET’S TELL IT ALL!!
AND REMEMBER: STANLEY HAWTHORNE WAS SUBMITTING A LETTER OF RESIGNATION AFTER ONLY 10 MONTHS ON THE JOB AS CITY MANAGER!!!!!
WHY: need I say more!!!!!!