By Sam Walters The Journal
SIX MILE — Years of leadership, administration and strategic development joined the town of Six Mile with the official swearing-in of a new town administrator.
During Thursday’s Six Mile Town Council meeting, part-time town administrator Tom Brooks was sworn in.
Mayor James Atkinson said Brooks brings “a wealth of experience” that will “help us take Six Mile into the future.”
“The world has changed a lot, and it’s going to continue to change, but it’s great to have somebody with this experience who can help us in that path,” Atkinson said.
Originally from Columbia, Brooks joined the town staff after working in Newberry County, Saluda County and the city of Clinton.
“I’ve served in various roles in different counties and cities, mainly focusing on management, economic development and community development projects,” Brooks said. “I’m so glad to be here. Hopefully, I can bring some of that experience to the town and help the town do some good stuff.”
During administrator comments, Brooks described multiple projects and tasks he has been working on in his first month, including signage and town representation, grant funding and other improvements.
“I definitely want to put in for every grant that we can, every chance we get,” Brooks said. “I’m big on first impressions, and when you come into town, I want somebody to see it and be like, ‘Oh, that’s well maintained.’”
Instant impact
Atkinson shared the impact Brooks has already made on the town’s operations.
“It’s absolutely great having Tom with us,” Atkinson said. “We’re in a new world nowadays, you either get in a situation where either you’re controlling your future and it’s controlling you. So, it’s great to have Tom here.”
Brooks shared that, with his role, he wants to make sure the town is financially strong while looking good.
“Ponderosa, the downtown park and town hall, quality (of) life stuff,” Brooks said. “I see those as our priorities here, and, of course, making sure that we’re sound financially and we’re making good financial decisions that’ll impact us in the long run.”
Councilman Christopher King shared the impact that Brooks will have with managing growth.
“We’re just now starting to see some growth in Six Mile, some quality growth,” King said. “I think that’s where it’s good for Tom to come in and help us, as a town, achieve that quality growth and work with the community, the business leaders and everybody else in the town.”
Councilman Mark Beckman added that Brooks will be helpful with the number of events the town holds.
“For being such a small town, we have many events. We want to keep them at a good level of participation,” Beckman said. “Having an administrator is going to help us keep those events, grow these events and advertise those events.”
sam@upstatetoday.com | (864) 973-6686