For nine months, nearly every day in the Collins household began and ended with the same question: What is the plan?
Dr. Demeitrius Collins knocked on doors and placed campaign signs throughout Clayton County’s District 1. His wife made telephone calls, managed their household and helped care for their children. Together, they organized fundraisers, coordinated volunteers and reviewed campaign strategy.
“We were boots on the ground, day in, day out,” Mrs. Collins told We Are Clayton Magazine. “We literally strategized every single day.”
Their work culminated in Collins defeating incumbent Commissioner Alaina Reaves in the June 16 Democratic primary runoff. Collins received 2,313 votes, or 55.35 percent, while Reaves received 1,866 votes, or 44.65 percent, according to Clayton County election results.
Collins said the residents he met while campaigning supplied the energy that kept the couple moving through the demanding nine-month race.
“Every time we went out there, it was the people saying, ‘We need change. We love your energy. You’re actually here talking to us,’” Collins recalled. “That’s what gave us the energy—the people saying thank you, and we look forward to you serving us.”
Raising Incomes in Clayton County
When asked to identify his first priority after taking office, Collins did not hesitate.
“Economic development,” he said.
For Collins, attracting businesses is only part of the solution. He believes Clayton County must also help residents gain the education, training and earning power necessary to benefit from that development.
“We’ve got to get the income up,” Collins said. “We’ve got to get the salaries up. We’ve got to get more training.”
He called for stronger partnerships among county government, schools and private employers to expand trade programs, scholarships and workforce-development opportunities. Those efforts, he said, could help residents earn higher wages while creating a stronger customer base for the restaurants, stores and other businesses the county hopes to attract.
“We can bring nice restaurants and businesses, but if we can’t afford
it, we’ve got people crying now about taxes being too high, gas being too high and food being too high,” he said.
Collins also expressed concern about the financial pressure facing Clayton County homeowners. He said residents were promised change during his campaign, making a recent county tax decision particularly difficult for him to watch before he has officially taken office.
“I’m running a campaign saying I’m going to help, I’m going to bring change, and I’m going to make sure that I can provide a better way of life,” he said.
Working Across the Board
Questions about cooperation and unity on the Clayton County Board of Commissioners have become a recurring concern among residents.
Collins acknowledged that commissioners may enter office with different priorities and political agendas. Nevertheless, he said he intends to work with every member of the board when cooperation can produce positive results for the county.
“My goal is to work with everybody on the board to try to bring change to Clayton County,” he said. “Whether they’re going to work with me or not, I’ve got to try to work with everybody.”
Collins said his first obligation will remain the people of District 1, but he also recognizes that the county’s districts are interconnected. When other commissioners are willing to collaborate, he said, he intends to support efforts that improve their communities as well.
Mrs. Collins believes her husband’s personality will help him build those working relationships.
“He is a bridge gapper,” she said. “I’ve seen how he brings people together—his spirit, his nature and his likable personality. I think that’s what’s going to bring everybody closer.”
Her comments also made clear that the campaign was not an individual undertaking. Collins’s victory was supported by the partnership operating behind the candidate—one that balanced canvassing, telephone calls, fundraising, strategy and family life.
Collins is scheduled to take office in January. He concluded the conversation by saying he is prepared to begin the work.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m ready.”