After five years away from local politics, Crystal Harris is seeking to return to the Patrick County Board of Supervisors as the Smith River District representative.
Harris, 81, previously represented the district for 21 years. She will face interim Supervisor Richard Cox in the Nov. 3 special election to fill the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2029.
Harris said the county’s economic situation is its most important challenge.
“I would like to see us work closely with the businesses that are here to try and keep them in the county. I know that” the county’s economic development department “is reaching out to people and I hope that they would reach out a little further, to try and get more businesses to come in. We’re not going to get large businesses in,” she said.
Harris said the county needs infrastructure and incentives to attract businesses and industry. She acknowledged that paying for those improvements would be difficult.
“We would have to look at ways to motivate without hurting the other people and businesses in the county,” she said.
Harris also said residents should become more involved in local government by attending Board of Supervisors and committee meetings.
“The supervisors have to have tough skin because there’s a lot of criticism and we need to listen to the people,” she said.
Harris said supervisors also need to work with residents when making decisions and said she would like to see greater transparency in county government.
“We need to be more transparent than we have been, however there are some things that we cannot” discuss with the public due to restrictions, Harris said.
Harris described Patrick County as a good place to live and work and a destination for visitors, but she said more could be done to promote the county.
“I think we just need to do a little bit more promoting, although I think that tourism is doing a good job and economic development could step up just a little bit more. I’m not privy to what they’re doing, so it’s hard to criticize someone that I don’t know what they’re doing,” she said.
Harris said a lack of water and sewer infrastructure also can make attracting development more difficult.
“You’re going to have to have water and sewer to certain places to get certain people to come in and help the people that are here,” she said.
Harris pointed to her previous experience on the Board of Supervisors and her ties to the Smith River District when asked why residents should vote for her.
“I have been married and lived in Woolwine for almost 64 years, so naturally the Smith River District is very important to me as is the whole county. If one area prospers, so do the others,” she said.
Harris worked in the cafeteria at Woolwine Elementary School for 35 years and part time in the emergency room at the former R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital for 10 years.
She holds a certificate in food services from Patrick & Henry Community College.
Harris was a charter member of the Smith River Rescue Squad and volunteered with the organization for nearly 40 years, including 20 years as captain.
She also was the first female president of Patrick County Fire & Rescue, served on the original E-911 committee and is a former member of the Patrick County Education Foundation.
Harris also served on the STEP Inc. board for 20 years.
Harris and her husband, Mavin, have three sons and four grandchildren.
She enjoys reading, fishing and riding around Patrick County.
