INSIDER: Summerville City Council Candidate Todd Kingsolver

Due to the social distancing guidelines, we have converted our traditional AllOnGeorgia candidate video interviews into short questionnaires. Each candidate in the race was provided an identical questionnaire with the same deadline. (Questionnaires were emailed to the email address listed on the qualifying paperwork) Candidates were told their answers would be blank in the event that they did not respond. Answers were not edited in any way.

The Primary Election was moved to June 9th.
The last day to register to vote in the primary is May 11th.
Early voting begins May 18th.
To sign up to volunteer as a poll worker, click here.

Candidate Questionnaire — Mayor/City Council (Summerville)
NAME: Todd Kingsolver
POST: City Council Seat 2

What are some of the features/qualities that make Summerville great and led you to call the city ‘home’?

-The City’s safety rating was huge factor for us to move into the city limits. We feel safe
here thanks to the dedication of the Summerville Police Department. The people of
Summerville were so welcoming when we bought a historic downtown home and
additionally when we purchased Jefferson’s, our downtown business. We enjoy the
comradery of being associated with the downtown area and love seeing it prosper.

What do you believe are the biggest issues facing the City of Summerville? How do you plan to address them?

 City water issues: Make sure appropriate measures and funding are set to correct
this issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. We need to make sure we have a
backup plan in place to prevent similar issues from happening again.
 Budget: If I am elected and have the opportunity to view the City’s budget, I will
be able to provide guidance based upon my 15 years budgeting experience in
managing multi-million dollar companies and staying successfully under budget.
 If elected, what three steps would you take to put Summerville on a firmer financial
footing?
 Accurate budgeting.
 Stronger guidelines for purchase requisitions.
 I would recommend each Council Member works weekly with a department to
assist in overseeing spending.

If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

Until I see the finances, I cannot appropriately answer this question. However, from a citizen’s point of view, the City’s water issues would take top priority for any additional funds that are available. Then, find the most costly reoccurring maintenance issues and use this funding to provide long term solutions and eliminate the reoccurring costs. The City’s sewer system and gas department need immediate attention.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Summerville?

My phone is always on and you can call me with your concerns and I will get you answers.

How can the city be more transparent?

-Provide more details on monthly spending and budget reports to the citizens during City Council meetings.

Do you plan to stay involved in city activities if you lose this race?

Yes, I will run again in 2 years and continue to be involved with city activities.

Why do you feel like you’re the best candidate for the job?

I am a driven leader that has proven experience in day to day operations in private sector business and know what it takes to successfully operate under budget.

Do you have sufficient time/ energy to devote to the City Council if elected?

Yes, the City that I am raising my family in will always be top priority. My work schedule can be flexible as well.

What motivates you to want to become a member of Summerville’s City Council?

To aide the City of Summerville in becoming a thriving community where
businesses and families prosper for years to come. We are vested in this city and
plan to be here for many years.

Please feel free to include any additional biographical information below. (Family information, history in City of Summerville, employment, etc)

 38 year old husband and father of four.

 Attends church at Summerville First United Methodist.
 15 years leadership experience in manufacturing. (130 + employees)
 Lives on Commerce street in the heart of the City.
 Local small business owner (Jefferson’s) (20 + employees)
 Youth sports coach for many years.
 Current member of the Summerville Downtime Development Authority. (Co-Chairmen)
 Morehead State University – Advisory Board – School of Engineering and Information
Systems

 Former volunteer fire fighter.
 Avid Sports fan. Basketball, Football, and Baseball. Go Braves!!