Swails Abandons 'Strong Mayor' Plans

Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails says he won't push plans for a strong-mayor form of government after hearing negative feedback to his proposal, according to news reports.

Mayor Billy Swails said Tuesday night that he is dropping his effort to create a "strong mayor" form of government, according to the Post and Courier.

"My three council members slapped my hand a little bit," Swails said at a council meeting.

Swails is talking about the The first-term mayor and former long-time councilman said he didn't want to serve as the town's first full-time mayor, but he felt it was best for the future of Mount Pleasant.

"I just think this town needs an executive that is totally accountable to the citizens," Swails said at that meeting.

The three other council members on the committee, Elton Carrier, Thomasena Stokes-Marshall and Chris Nickels all expressed opposition to the proposal.

that would force a townwide vote on the issue. But on Tuesday he told the council he would "bow to your wishes" on the strong mayor issue.