Villa Rica Mayor J. Collins spoke to Villa Rica Elementary third grade students about the three branches of local government on November 12, 2014. Mayor Collins accepted the invitation to speak to the classes of Mrs. Ola McLendon, Mrs. Mindy Savidge, Mrs. Myrna LaRonde and Mrs. Patricia Prince in an effort to help them understand how local government works. Mayor Collins is in his eleventh year as mayor of Villa Rica. When he began his mayoral career, he was the youngest person to ever hold the position, and now has held it for more terms than any other mayor of Villa Rica.

Mayor Collins explained to the students about collection of taxes, preparing a budget, and using that money to pay for needs of the city of Villa Rica. The students especially enjoyed hearing how the budget can be compared to a pie and the importance of working together with the city council to make decisions.

Questions were asked and answered about the Mayor’s use of a veto. The third graders learned that a veto isn’t used as a “got-you”, but as a way to really think about what laws or regulations will be passed. Another interesting fact about the job of mayor is the fact that local officials often meet with state officials to make decisions that affect both levels of government.

As a former student of Villa Rica Elementary, Mayor Collins expressed excitement about the growth and progress taking place in Villa Rica. His positive message and encouragement for the students to be future leaders of Villa Rica was contagious.