New Mayor Looks to Create 'Strong-Mayor' Leadership

Just a week on the job, with a special meeting being called tomorrow, town Mayor Bill Collins said he wants to create a "strong-mayor" administration, where the mayoral position is full-time and takes on the responsibilities of town administrator.

The town administrator position has been vacant for months, with assistant town administrator Lisa Wallace filling in. 

"Summerville is large enough now that I think it could stand the full attention of a full-time mayor. And I think a full-time mayor could save the taxpayers some money," Collins said Sunday. 

While town employment contracts are held in executive session, so the strong-mayor debate will be held behind closed doors, there will be a vote on the issue during the special meeting 4 p.m. Monday at town hall. 

If the newly formed town council, with the new mayor and two new councilmen, votes in favor of the measure, there would have to be a voter referendum for it to be enacted.