Brillhart, Harris vie for Bristol treasurer's seat

BRISTOL, Va. – Two women making their initial bid for public office are vying to become the next city treasurer.

Incumbent Wilma Gill is retiring after 11 years. Her decision not to seek re-election has attracted candidates Catherine Brillhart and Angelia “Angel” Harris.

Brillhart, 49, is a city homemaker, mother and chairwoman of the city’s Democratic Committee. She has extensive experience in the banking industry and also previously worked in insurance and real estate.

Harris, 46, worked primarily in banking, pharmaceutical and real estate sales before her current focus on her “hobby” of revitalizing older homes.

Both said they’ve spent time learning about the office, which is responsible for collecting city tax revenues and properly accounting for those millions of dollars.

While acknowledging they have much to learn, both said the future may include some changes.

“With the economy, there are some things we can do to help citizens make tax payments,” Brillhart said. “There are some options we don’t have now, like drafting their checking accounts, offering credit card payments and we could possibly also offer online payments.”

Brillhart said a recent city decision to collect real estate taxes twice each year has helped both the city and residents, but additional measures may be needed.

“Individuals may be struggling and can’t make large, lump sum payments twice a year for real estate and personal property taxes. Maybe if they had their accounts debited every month it would lessen the burden for them,” Brillhart said. “It would probably bring in more revenue for the city, because you could have a better rate of collecting taxes.”

Harris touted her wide array of professional experiences as reasons why voters should support her.

“I’m interested in working the office to the best of my abilities. Once I’m elected, I plan to learn the daily requirements of the office, assess things as they need to be and changes – if any – that might be implemented. I’m open to change,” Harris said.

“I feel like I have a nice background that allows me to be flexible, I’ve had good leadership in the companies that I’ve worked with and I’d like to offer that as a service to the citizens,” she added.

She worked for about five years as a teller and in the bookkeeping department of Dominion Bank, before taking a job selling pharmaceuticals for Smith Kline Beecham in Bristol, Tenn., from 1988 to 2001. Her position there was phased out following a corporate merger.

Harris said the responsibilities of maintaining accurate records and following guidelines “to the letter” were learned during those jobs and are her key strengths.

In recent years, Harris worked for another drugmaker, was a mortgage loan officer, worked in customer service and sales for Universal Companies in Bristol, Va., and sold real estate in Bristol, Tenn.

“I want to do the best job I can. I’m dedicated to whatever I do at the moment and this is something you would look for – not just a one-term in office – but successive terms as well,” Harris said.

A Bristol, Va., native, Harris said the city should run much like a business to succeed.

“Money matters in any business. The bottom line, you have to have money to operate. That’s what the city is, is an operation,” Harris said.

Brillhart’s work experience includes 13 years at the Abingdon and Bristol branches of what is now Bank of America, serving in the bank’s insurance and loan departments. She resigned in 1996 to concentrate on raising her two sons.

“I took time off from work so that I could be involved in my family’s activities and school and devoted that time to my family. Now that they’re about out of high school, it’s time to get back in,” Brillhart said.

Her husband, Richard, formerly served as manager of Pine Mountain Oil and Gas, but is now a self-employed investment adviser. The couple has lived in Bristol for the past 11 years.

Brillhart also has experience in her family’s Wise County-based insurance and real estate firm and was an adjunct professor at Mountain Empire Community College for a year.

If elected, Brillhart said she would resign as chairwoman of the city’s Democratic committee.

In addition to committee activities, Brillhart serves on an advisory committee for the city school system, volunteers for her school and the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. She is a past president of Abingdon Jaycees.

Harris is an active member of the Solar Hill Historic District Association and the Bristol Historical Association, has volunteered for numerous community and church events and has done mission work.

dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Catherine Brillhart
Age: 49
Elected office: None
Occupation: Not presently employed
Education: Emory & Henry College, bachelor’s degree in business management
Religion: Methodist
Family: Married, two children
Originally from: Big Stone Gap, Va.
Reason for seeking office: “Some people urged me to run. I think it’s a good opportunity for me. I feel like [I] would be a good asset for the city. I want to see people go into office that are prepared, experienced and will really try to do a good job.”
Priorities: Offering options for residents to pay tax bills and identifying additional revenue for the city.
Her message: “If I say I’m going to do something, I really put my whole heart into it.”

Angelia “Angel” Harris
Age: 46
Elected office: None
Occupation: Not presently employed
Education: Virginia Intermont College, bachelor’s degree in organizational management
Religion: Protestant
Family: Single, no children
Originally from: Bristol, Va.
Reason for seeking office: “I want to be a part of Bristol and a part of the growth and change.”
Priorities: Serving the citizens, maximizing revenues and customer service.
Her message: “The office of treasurer is one of service to the citizens of Bristol and I will serve the people faithfully.”