Michael Pollard for Bristol VA City Council

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Open. Honest. Transparent.

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Principles: I am willing to discuss and negotiate on many topics, but I have principles which keep me grounded. Principles like:
  • Treat others as you want to be treated
  • Don’t steal from others
  • Protect the innocent
  • Keep your promises
  • It’s never right to do wrong to do right
  • Pay attention to the little things
  • Admit when you are wrong and try to make it right

My clear difference: Details. Pay attention to the details. Make sure the details are right. My focus: Do the right things.
Do things right. History: I have been attending the City Council meetings since 2011, and I was on the Planning Commission 2015-2021 (the maximum of two terms). During that time, I have helped update and streamline City code, both as a part of the Planning Commission and as an interested citizen who is willing to help. I am not looking for recognition or influence, much less to get money from the City for myself, my friends, my family, or my employer. And I have demonstrated this, time and time again. I am looking to help. And I will continue to work for this city whether or not I win this election. Help! Do you believe in my ideas, goals, and character? Do you want to help? Your financial support in any amount would be greatly appreciated. You can send via PayPal to 2026@MichaelPollard.org, or a check by mail to 140 Ashley Dr, Bristol VA 24201. If you want a sign, if you want to help get the word out, or if you want to help at the polls – please let me know. You can email me, send in the mail, message me on Facebook, or text me at 276-821-8327. If you are able to give financially, Virginia law requires that I collect some information about you, though this will only be made public if you give over $100. Please send me a message with your name, address, your occupation, and your employer name and city/state – and if you are retired, unemployed, etc., just say so. This information will stay confidential unless you give over $100. Even just Liking my Facebook page is helpful – and appreciated.

I have worked in IT my whole career, with some non-IT jobs mixed in to pay the bills when I was younger, and with some other educational opportunities. These helped broaden my experience: machine shop, fast food, training in construction, electrical, plumbing, firefighting, emergency medicine. The emergency services and some other emergency-related training were with ALERT, the Air Land Emergency Resource Team. I moved here right after college, at Pensacola Christian College where I got a Bachelor in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Management, and I’ve worked at Universal Fibers most of the last 20 years, where my title is now Advanced Systems Analyst. I was away from there for a period of time during a massive layoff, doing contract work and lower-pay jobs, including at King Pharmaceutical and Networking and Computer Connection, which further broadened my experience. In 2011, I started attending Bristol Virginia City Council meetings regularly, and in 2022 I was elected – and I love helping people through that. Through the City Council, I am currently on the Bristol Trainstation Foundation, the Bristol Library Board of Trustees and Finance Committee, and Mount Rogers Planning District Commission Executive Committee and Transportation Rural Technical Committee. And in 2025, I was inducted into Rotary, which is actively involved in the community in a variety of ways. I’m neuroatypical, and very detail-oriented, as you can see here. I tend to be quieter in person, and much wordier in writing. My City-related Facebook page is at @MichaelWPollard, for those interested. I’m glad to discuss things. My wife Amanda Pollard is Director of Career Services at King University, and as I write this, we’ve been married right at 4 years. (I added link to her Facebook profile, but she doesn’t use that much, so I replaced it with her LinkedIn profile.) And we love cats, have 4 indoor cats ourselves, and we help take care of neighborhood cats, including having them neutered through Margaret Mitchell / Bristol Humane Society and Holly Help. We attend and help with Community Baptist Church, helping with pre-kingergarten kids classes, drama, puppets, and however else we can chip in. In general, we like helping people, sometimes in ways that aren’t so visible.

I will add some information about where I stand on different issues here.

Help!

Do you believe in my ideas, goals, and character? Do you want to help?

Your financial support in any amount would be greatly appreciated. You can send via PayPal to 2026@MichaelPollard.org, or a check by mail to 140 Ashley Dr, Bristol VA 24201.

If you want a sign, if you want to help get the word out, or if you want to help at the polls – please let me know. You can email me, send in the mail, message me on Facebook, or text me at 276-821-8327. 

If you are able to give financially, Virginia law requires that I collect some information about you, though this will only be made public if you give over $100. Please send me a message with your name, address, your occupation, and your employer name and city/state – and if you are retired, unemployed, etc., just say so. This information will stay confidential unless you give over $100.

Even just Liking my Facebook page is helpful – and appreciated.