Mayor-Elect Readies for New Job

Editor's note: Summerville Patch sat down with Summerville's first new mayor in nearly 40 years, Bill Collins, on June 13. He and two new town councilmen, Terry Jenkins and Bill McIntosh, will be sworn in 7:30 p.m. June 20 at Town Hall.

Summerville Patch: What are you doing in the Town Administrator's Office at Town Hall?

Mayor-Elect Bill Collins: I want to get a running start. Can't wait to get going officially.

Summerville Patch:  Your thoughts on becoming the next mayor?

Collins: It's going to be very challenging. I hope I'm up for it. I think I am. This is the  most fun I've had here since I came in '72 and started my paper from scratch.

Summerville Patch: In addition to being the first new mayor for the town in many decades, there will also be two new faces on town council. Any thoughts on how everyone will work together?

Collins: I am very excited and energized in what I see in the council I'll be working with. The truth is, we all want the same thing: what's best for Summerville.

Summerville Patch: What are the top issues facing the town?

Collins: Traffic is utmost in everyone's minds. I want Summerville to become more business-friendly, and I'd like to promote and work on tourism.

Summerville Patch: Why tourism and business development?

Collins: It's hard to run a city on the backs of home owners.

Summerville Patch:  How will you solve the traffic issues?

Collins: Fighting for funding and working with other elected officials in the region.

Summerville Patch: What has surprised you so far?

Collins: The volume of calls I get is somewhat surprising.