|
Collins is new Rockbridge administrator
By Mike Bollinger • Staff Writer
LEXINGTON — Former Bath County administrator Claire Collins, who resigned as Covington city manager June 30, is the new administrator for Rockbridge County.
When she left her post in Covington, Collins said she intended to explore options in the public and private sector. After doing so, Collins said she felt she was better suited to remain in public administration.
"I realized I am a person who should work in the public sector. Public service is my calling, and I feel like I can make more of a contribution, especially behind the scenes, staying in it," she said this week.
Collins said one thing that attracted her to Rockbridge was the fact the county has had only one administrator, Donald Austin, who has retired after 36 years of service. "They have had a long-standing administrator. I will be only the second administrator in the county's history, just like I was the second administrator in Bath. I felt like this was a great opportunity to put my name on Rockbridge County," she said.
She said she was one of five people who were being considered for the position. Collins expressed a desire to get settled into her new position before setting any goals.
"I want the chance to have a discussion with the board of supervisors and see what direction they want me to go and how they want me to handle everything," she said.
Collins was to meet with the Rockbridge board Wednesday afternoon to begin that process. "I want them to set the standards they want me to meet," she said.
Rockbridge has created a working environment that encourages collaboration, she said. "Rockbridge County is known for its public-spiritedness and the way it is able to cooperate for the future without compromising its history," she said.
The supervisors in Rockbridge, she said, have been working to make sure the county is where it needs to be in the future. One example of that, she noted, is the creation last week of a new agricultural transition zoning district.
Her contract calls for her to move to Rockbridge within the next 12 months. "I'm sad to have to leave Bath County, but hopefully we will still own property here. We definitely will come back to visit, but my family and I will be living in Rockbridge," Collins said.
Collins said she is honored to have been chosen for her new position. "This is a great opportunity for me. It is very humbling, and I am very honored to serve Rockbridge County. Rockbridge and Bath are neighbors. This region is very special to me," she said.
Collins was city manager in Covington for 26 months. Before that, she was county administrator in Bath for 14 years. She began her career in Henrico County, where she was assistant county manager for four years.
No comments have been posted. Be the first!
| 
