My wife and I were out of state and voted absentee before leaving on our trip. Upon returning I learned that not all of our choices for office were elected to office but that the democratic voting process had been fulfilled. In catching up on back papers I found that of the entire political races only one race is now being contested by a twelfth hour entrant, i.e., Bill Collins.

I have always considered Bill Collins a professional and a friend. Not necessarily a close friend as we never socialized other than meeting in his office at the SJS to discuss letters to the editor, probably small talk chit-chat at some Y-Galas, and possibly brief discussions at funerals. I would hope Bill has a mutual feeling. My wife and I have always enjoyed his articles in the "Collins Mix" and his editorials.

My favorite editorial by Bill was published in the April 9, 2004 SJS. I was very much impressed to the point that I wrote Bill a letter complementing him on the editorial. It was a very direct and comprehensive editorial titled "Conniving Politicians." It increased my confidence in the SJS motto at that time, "With or without offense to friends or foes, we print the news exactly as it goes." The message was to the point. The editorial highlighted the last minute "underhanded decision" of a State Representative to change political party affiliation as an action that "smelled to high heaven." The editorial then went on to correlate that underhanded decision to that of Summerville Town Council creating and filling municipal judge-ships behind closed doors. The editorial ended by stating that the State Representative's double filing and Summerville Town Council's decision to fill two municipal judge-ships "prove they're capable of conniving with the best."

Bill Collins has the legal right to petition to have his name placed on the November ballot but is it ethically and morally correct? It is my opinion that Bill is petitioning for all of the wrong reasons and has not really been forthright in the reasons he gives for now entering the race after campaigns have been waged and a primary election legally held. In catching up on my backlog of newspapers the following are some of the points I have captured from The Summerville Sun, The Summerville Journal Scene, the Charleston Post and Courier from the period of June 17th through June 27th (1) Bill Collins has never wavered in announcing his choice for State Senator from District 38 was Randy Scott, (2) he would not be in the race if Randy Scott had won, (3) although running as a "petition" candidate if elected he would align and affiliate himself with the Republicans if they will have him and would ask to join the Republican Caucus. Possibly the only time Bill misspoke his position was when he was quoted, "I had considered getting into the race against Randy Scott and Mike Rose, but I've seen up close how races like that can get really dirty. I wanted no part in it - but now I feel the voters in Senate District 38 need another option," Collins said. This particular scenario doesn't sound right to me. I don't believe the Bill Collins I know would back off from any fight regardless how dirty. The voters did have an option and voted 52% to 48% for Mike Rose. From Bill's statement I perceive that Randy Scott was the potential cause for the primary election to become dirty. Now that Randy Scott is no longer in the race and the race no longer dirty Bill will now get in. But we already know his choice was Randy Scott and Bill Collins ALLOWED the voters of Dorchester County that choice. The translation of all of the above comes down to the fact that Bill's candidate choice lost in a regularly scheduled and properly conducted election by 52% to 48% of the popular vote.

After reading Bill Collins' position statements I have come to the conclusion we have no more than Randy Scott in Bill Collins' clothing. A petition signature or vote for Bill Collins becomes nothing more than a signature or vote for Randy Scott's surrogate. Page 1 of 2 It is sad to see Bill Collins cast his lot and perform in the same manner as the people he verbally scourged and disparaged four years ago in his editorial of April 9, 2004.

Even at a later date it would be very informative to the residents of Dorchester County if you could republish Bill Collins' editorial of April 9, 2004, as well as the letter of June 23, 2008, from Katon Dawson, Chairman, South Carolina Republican Party. Mr. Dawson's letter speaks to the ethical not legal aspects of a Republican running as an Independent against a Republican candidate who has already been elected fair and square through the campaign and election process. The voters of Dorchester County can then see for themselves how Bill Collins has regressed in his political ideology and thinking over a period of four years. The citizens of Dorchester County need someone to represent us who understands the law and who can legislate. That person, Mike Rose, has already been selected by 52% of those voting in the June 10th primary election.

It is time to put an end to the mockery made of the great political process that we have in this country that gives everyone the opportunity to choose from the candidates offered.

What is happening in Bill Collins' ballot petition drive supports the old adage that desperate people will do desperate things.

Respectfully yours,

James D. McGraw 104 Lucretia Lane Summerville, SC 29483 July 7, 2008

843-851-7989

Cc: Denise Patrick, CEO/President, Director of Sales, The Summerville Sun

Attachments:

1. Editorial "Conniving Politicians" from April 9, 2004 Summerville Journal Scene 2. Katon Dawson, Chairman, South Carolina Republican Party, Letter of June 23, 2008 to Arthur Bryngelson, Chairman, Dorchester County Republican Party.

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