Bill Collins launches petition drive to run for Senate District 38 seat
Brad Nettles
The Post and Courier
Bill Collins former editor and publisher of the Summerville Journal Scene, has launched a petition drive to get on the November ballot for the Senate District 38 seat. File.
Bill Collins, the former editor/publisher/owner of the Summerville Journal Scene, has launched an effort to get on the November ballot, according to a weekend news release.
Collins said the people of District 38 need another choice.
To get on the ballot he will need approximately 3,165 signatures turned in to the State Election Commission by July 15, he said.
“Government needs to be big enough to do the job, but not too big for its britches," Collins said in the news release.
Summerville lawyer and businessman Mike Rose reclaimed the Senate District 38 seat in the June 10 primary with a narrow win over Republican incumbent Randy Scott, whose April 19 DUI arrest and subsequent actions likely doomed his hopes of a second term.
Rose led Scott by a 52 percent to 48 percent margin with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results.
Collins, 65, spent 40 years in the newspaper business – first in Myrtle Beach and then in Atlanta and 35 years in Summerville after founding the Summerville Journal in 1972. At the Journal Scene, he wrote the popular “Collins’ Mix” column for more than three decades. Collins presently is the associate publisher of Travelhost, a magazine distributed in hotel rooms throughout the tri-county area as a guide for tourists.
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Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by eyeinthesky on June 16, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bill, be prepared to be trashed and dragged through the mud! That is the way they run campaigns.
Good Luck!
Posted by lou9 on June 16, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why didn't you register to run during the primaries? This looks like a backdoor attempt to get into office.
Posted by bushnell on June 16, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our political process allows this. However, my vote is still for Mike Rose. His qualifications and awards he earned as a Senator before reveal a strong fiscal conservative with family values. Look at what he has accomplished for citiznes in our community. Think about how much more our community can get with someone that will stand up and speak for what is right and just for our district. The Republican party has a great candidate in Mike Rose. He is a man of values. A few people seem to bash him on here but their comments are lies. I have done the research on several of the lies spread around and have found them to be just that, lies. The awards and legislation Mike Rose has passed are factual and well deserved. I believe that between Horne, Young, and Rose they can work together and get Dorchester County back the respect and resources we deserve.
Posted by localboy on June 16, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well ol blivet in the sky is still spouting off - go figure!
I don't think anyone trashed or dragged anyone through the mud who wasn't already wallowing in it - oink! oink! says the porker.
If the petition candidate is a better choice, I'll bet the voters will let us know like they did on June 10.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on June 16, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bill Collins is the best candidate. His integrity and intelligence are unquestioned; he came up "the hard way" and knows what it's like to struggle to make a payroll and support his family during hard times. I've known him for many years and the man cannot be bought. He's unflinchingly fair and has a passion for public service.
Hope everyone has a great afternoon!
Posted by forget on June 16, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now someone to vote for. I've known Mr. Collins for years, he doesn't owe anyone favors, he doesn't have his own agenda, he is just a local businessman. He won't be out cruising under the influence late at night, spouting off a bunch of crap when caught. I'm in...
Posted by CaptPete on June 16, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to see Mike Rose have to spend another $70,000.00 on the campaign. Where do you sign up?
Posted by concernedlocal on June 16, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure Mr. Collins is a very nice man. So is the Walmart greeter. I would like to see District 38s Senator have some background in government. I do not accept being a "nice guy" as a prerequisite to elect a man to a seat in a government office.
Posted by forget on June 16, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is someone supposed to get a "background" in government to get elected? This man has been a successful businessman. He also has 40 years experience in the newspaper business. He has been a resident of this community for many years. He is what being an American is all about. There's an opportunity, and he's going to take it.
Posted by bushnell on June 16, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is why I support Mike Rose. This is only a sample of what Awards and recognition he recieved thus our community received:
Leadership in Ethics Reform from Common Cause (1991)
Outstanding State Legislator in U.S. by American Legislative Exchange Council (1990)(Post & Courier article (8/27/90)
Order of the Palmetto by Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. (highest award of State of S.C.) from Republican Governor Carroll A. Campbell, Jr.
Commendations from S.C. General Assembly
Friend of Taxpayer award from SC Taxpayers Association (1991)
Commended by Business and Industrial Professional Education Committee for being pro-business (1992 & 1993)
Endorsed by Sierra Club for being pro-environment (1992)
Selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America
Distinguished Service Award for being Outstanding State Legislator, from National Association for Uniformed Services
Who’s Who in America (1994-present)
Who’s Who in American Politics (several years through present)
Rated annually by the South Carolina Policy Council as “Most Conservative Senator” (1990 & 1991) or one of “Most Conservative Senator” (seven years), by supporting legislation consistent with limited government, fiscal responsibility and traditional values
100% rating from SC Policy Council for votes for tougher ethics laws
Commendation by SC Victim Assistance Network for his “outstanding legislative support to victims of crime”
Chairman, Dorchester County Legislative Delegation (1988-1990)
State Co-Chairman, American Legislative Exchange Council
Posted by bushnell on June 16, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I could go on here but I think anyone reading this get's my opinion on who I believe to be the best choice for Senate Seat 38. Here are a few more:
1. Mike Rose got a grant from Governor’s office for District Two schools to help at risk youth
2. Mike Rose caused District Two School District to place its funds in bank giving highest interest rate as determined by competitive bid
3. Mike Rose had the Department of Human Services report to school District Two results of child abuse reports, as required by law
4. Mike Rose helped stop pornography, sex harassment and sex discrimination regarding Town of Summerville employees after employees sought him for help.
5. Mike Rose was founder of Save the Yorktown, Inc. where he brought Bob Hope to Charleston to do two performances to raise money to preserve the aircraft carrier Yorktown in Charleston Harbor
Thank you for allowing me to participate in this forum.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on June 16, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a great forum, I agree! Just one last comment: In addition to being honorable and honest, Bill Collins covered local and state government for four decades. He knows exactly what's going on in Columbia and owes nothing to anyone. If you're tired of smoke-filled rooms and backslapping, now you have a real choice.
In the interest of full disclosure, I worked for him for many years.
Posted by localboy on June 16, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He also has 40 years experience in the newspaper business.
Well count me in - I didn't realize that the State Senate was going to publish a newspaper! ;-) Mr. Collins will certainly be better as the editor of the Senate newspaper - of course at the present rate we can use that Senate newspaper to line the cat box or bird cage.
Funny thing about some of the comments is that it seems that there's a two way street here - we wanted Scott because he would have Seniority that would help Dorchester County and knew what was happening in Cola. - now we want Collins because he's one of us and outside of Cola politics! Would Collins have run against Scott as a Republican if Rose had announced or do we have another RINO in the midst.
If we can just get real honest debate and not vague comments from Collins maybe he is the man. Otherwise we already have folks running for President that does alot of talking without saying a thing! We need ideas not just talk.
Posted by bkeelin on June 16, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where does he stand on issues like murdering innocent unborn children and promoting the abominable homosexual agenda? Usually newspaper people are extremely liberal and I don't think Dorchester County is going to elect a pro baby killer to the state senate. I hope he isn't one but if he is he will never get elected.
JMHO
Posted by myheartwillgoon on June 16, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those upset with Bill Collins are just scared. If he does indeed get on the ballot he will have half the signatures Mike Rose had votes. That's scary. Rose wouldn't be slinging mud already if he wasn't scared. He realized there's a true candidate who has served the community -- not special interests. And the Rose/Feltner camp can't say Collins profits from growth because he's not a developer/realtor or any other greedy profession. He's a self-made successful businessman and made his money honestly -- not by swindling people out of it.
If Bill can't win, why is Mike Rose/Jamie Feltner already slinging mud and threatening others about possible other petition candidates. I say bring it on -- and then watch Richard Rosebrock's back because he's next. Come after Jenny Horne and Bill Hearn and you'll be all by yourself on council Mr. Feltner.
Posted by concernedlocal on June 16, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can you tell me why Mr. Collins has his petition in the Scott area and not spread throughout Dorchester county...that concerns me a little
Posted by educ8edguy on June 16, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The timing is certainly interesting. The message, too..."The people of District 38 need another choice." Seems to me that we good folks of District 38 had our choices before us on June 10, and the majority chose the former Senator over the current Senator.
Now, I don't know Mr. Collins from Adam's house cat, so I don't want to cast aspersions on his motives for attempting to get into the race at this late date. However, as I try to evaluate this thing at face value, I'm having a hard time understanding just why Mr. Collins didn't offer himself up as a choice prior to June 10. If he's disappointed in the outcome of the primary, or he's injecting himself into the race at the behest of the defeated candidate (or his supporters), then he needs to be clear about that. If he's doing it for other reasons, then he needs to offer much more specificity about those reasons and not chalk it up to simply giving We the People "another choice."
-ed
Posted by moonpie on June 16, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Government needs to be big enough to do the job, but not too big for its britches," SOUNDS LIKE A LIBERAL TO ME. IS HE RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN? HOW DOES THAT WORK SINCE SOMEONE ALREADY WON THE PRIMARIES ON BOTH SIDES??
Posted by concernedlocal on June 16, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I found this post...don't know how much truth it holds but I do find it worth investigating
I supposed he's retired and boredom has set it. Actually, Bill Collins is going to cost the majority of the voters more money who've already elected their candidate in the primary. The Dorchester County Democratic party should be offended that he did'nt carry their banner as he's professed allegience to them for decades.
anonymous