Kris Willis, 50, has been appointed Mayor of Menlo by the city council, taking over from Allen Keen, who resigned to focus on family and business. A lifelong resident of the county, Willis sees this role as a chance to prepare for the November election. In the past, Willis has worked as the Assisted Athletic Director at Summerville City Recreation Department.  Willis has expressed gratitude for the council’s trust and mentioned that if progress is made during his term, he will consider running for a full term; if not, he will step aside for someone else. Willis’s immediate goals include organizing city operations, completing audits, ensuring budget compliance, and addressing infrastructure issues like fixing a non-operational drinking water well. He also wants to set long-term goals for the community. Another priority is education and training for the council and clerk, which he believes is essential for effective city management. Willis highlighted the need for processes to ensure the smooth operation of city affairs and aims to establish stability and effectiveness in governance. His performance in the coming months will play a significant role in his decision to run for a full term in November.