Q&A with candidates for Bedford County supervisor, District 6

The chairwoman of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors is seeking a second term in the Nov. 8 election and faces a newcomer to local politics.

Annie Pollard and Martin Leamy are each running as independents to represent District 6, an area west of the city of Bedford that has grown in population and land size after the 2010 census.  

Pollard was first elected in 2007 to fill the seat represented for years by her late husband, Bobby, who died earlier that year.

She said she decided to run again because she feels she still has fresh ideas and brings a common-sense approach that the board needs to govern.

Leamy said he is seeking the seat because he wants to see the county’s agricultural and rural heritage preserved, economic development strengthened and county relations with the school system improved.

Both candidates support keeping small elementary schools open, an issue that has dominated the last two years of budget debates in the county. Leamy said the county is not geographically suited for larger consolidated schools.

Pollard, who is known to aim criticism toward school administrators, declared in the past two years she would not support closing schools. The supervisors do not legally have authority to govern the school system but the county is the second-largest contributor to the schools’ annual budget.

The following is information about each candidate and a few comments to questions from The News & Advance.     

Annie Pollard

Age: 71

Work history: Retired. Chair of the Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, member of the Bedford Breakfast Lion’s Club and other volunteer groups.

Education: Educated in the Bedford County school system.

Family: Has a daughter and two grandsons, ages 10 and 13.

Political experience: four years as county supervisor, District 6.

Martin Leamy

Age: 47

Work history: Site manager for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford since 2007. U.S. Army, 1986-1999 and 2001-2003. Membership director of Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, 2005-2006.

Education: B.A. in History and Political Science from Bridgewater College, 1985. Currently attending Lynchburg College working toward a B.S. in exercise physiology.

Family: Married to wife ,Vicki, and father of son, Josh.

Political experience: none

Recent budget debates in Bedford County have been contentious. What do you bring to the table?

Pollard: “I bring a very practical approach to the budget process. It’s important to prioritize county spending and understand that, as board members, we have a fiduciary responsibility to our county. We need to provide needed services and help the county progress but, at the same time, remember that we’re using taxpayer money. It’s our responsibility to see that our taxpayers get a great deal for their money just as each of us would want in our own households. Further, I would worry about a budget process that wasn’t a bit contentious. All board members need to represent the views of their districts and that simply requires some disagreement at times.”

Leamy: “I will bring common sense and logic to the budget discussion table. Emotion has no place in these proceedings. The end product needs to be the best possible budget for the benefit of county citizens.”

What are your thoughts on Bedford becoming a town and part of Bedford County?

Pollard: “I am fine with the city reverting … there will certainly be less duplication of services and more opportunities to work together in the future. But, in my opinion, some of the city leaders haven’t sought reversion because they are supportive of Bedford County, rather they have sought reversion because of financial difficulties, despite their claims. I don’t think it’s fair to require the taxpayers of the city or county to purchase facilities that have already been paid for once by them. Nor do I agree with the boundary line adjustments that will force some county residents to face a huge increase in their taxes.”

Leamy: “The city of Bedford reverting to town status was going to happen with or without the county’s blessing. I was encouraged to see officials from both entities come together and work out a compromise as Bedford residents, rather than it being decided in court, with hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted in legal fees. It is the best possible outcome for what could have been a divisive issue that turned Bedford citizen against Bedford citizen.”

Do you support a new middle school in Bedford to serve the Liberty attendance zone? Why or why not?

Pollard: “Yes. It is long overdue plus it (new school) is part of the reversion contract between the county and city. It’s important that our schools, including infrastructure, keep pace with our population and community needs.”

Leamy: “I support a new middle school in the Liberty attendance zone. The selection site criteria for the location should be infrastructure availability, an adequate road network and a centralized location that minimizes the length of bus rides for students. The building should be simple in design, safe and economically efficient to operate. Students, teachers and staff make a school, not the building.”