Terry Frye, Bristol, Va., commissioner of revenue incumbent, faces 1st challenger, Rodger Williams

BY DAVID McGEE
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BRISTOL, Va. – Political newcomer Rodger Williams is providing incumbent Terry Frye’s first-ever challenge to remain the city’s commissioner of revenue.
Frye, 51, is seeking his third, four-year term to oversee the office responsible for citywide commercial and individual tax assessments, business licenses, some tax collections and tax preparation assistance. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Williams, 47, is a former banking executive who now works in retail sales.
While the incumbent touts his experience and involvement in a variety of state and community boards and associations, Williams has pledged, if elected, to focus all of his time and energy on the office.
“I feel like leadership is a key. That’s positive leadership, interaction with the staff, focusing on that position and devoting myself full-time to that position, because it is important,” Williams said. “If elected, I will be a full-time commissioner of revenue.”
Frye, who also is an attorney and certified master commissioner, has a number of interests. In 2007, he formed a nonpartisan state Commissioner of Revenue Political Action Committee and chairs its board.
He also was a 2008 delegate to the Democratic National Convention and national treasurer of a 2006 effort to draft current Virginia U.S. Sen. Mark Warner to seek the presidency.
“I’m very active in the Commissioner of Revenue Association and third vice-president statewide,” Frye said. “We’ve only had three vice presidents from Southwest Virginia in 90 years and, if I continue to serve, I would be president three years from now. Assuming I win.”
Locally, Frye provides free legal consulting services to three nonprofit agencies, serves on the boards of directors of the United Way of Bristol, Crisis Center, National Business College of Bristol and is involved in other organizations including the band boosters for both Virginia High and Virginia Middle schools.
The incumbent is seeking re-election to continue the work of his first two terms.
“Experience counts. The job of commissioner is very complex. I see new things all the time. The job combines so many different elements, the only way you can become a good commissioner is do it on the job and learn as you go. Over a period of eight years, I’ve learned a lot – things that can’t really be taught in a classroom,” Frye said.
Office responsibilities include assessing real estate, personal property, business personal property, machinery and tools, vehicles including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, tractor-trailers, storage trailers.
“We’re also responsible for auditing income tax returns filed with our office and preparing income tax returns for residents and nonresidents. We probably do more nonresident returns,” Frye said.
The office collects most of the city’s business, lodging, meals and cigarette tax revenues.
It also compiles and provides tax information to the state to assist with its budget forecasts and allocations to local schools, law enforcement and fire departments.
Both candidates acknowledged the city’s precarious financial position, amid reduced state funding and lower tax collections in a tight economy.
“The city is in a difficult spot, but it’s not because of the revenue side,” Frye said. “The first seven years [he was in office] we’ve had an average annual revenue growth of 4.2 percent. Last year was the first time we had a loss and there was a loss probably in every locality in the country.”
Even with reduced state funding and furlough days for his employees, it’s important to continue collecting the maximum revenue, Frye said.
Williams said his plan, if elected, is to draw on the experience of the current staff.
“Our city is facing some tough times. I would like to sit down with that staff and discuss where we are, what we can do better. We can’t change what’s out there, but we can chance how efficient we are, if there are delinquencies, what we can do to address those,” the challenger said.
Frye ran unopposed in the past two elections, but is drawing on extensive political involvement in this race.
“I’ve been involved in politics most of my life and managed campaigns, but it’s a little different when you’re involved in a contested campaign for yourself,” Frye said. “I’ve talked to a lot of voters and with the business community. I think they understand it’s important to have someone with experience in this position.”
Williams, who contemplated seeking this office four years ago but didn’t due to work commitments, said he began running this spring.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting out and meeting people. Win or lose, this has been very rewarding,” Williams said. “It’s unfortunate but with these positions, which are important locally, folks lose focus. I’ve run into folks who don’t know who holds the office now.”
Williams, currently employed by Blakely-Mitchell clothiers in downtown Bristol, worked 15 years in the banking industry with Charter Federal, Heritage Federal and Sun Trust. He was a Sun Trust branch manager, overseeing up to 15 employees and assets of up to $50 million.
He left to enter the insurance business after enduring three robberies.
“One [robbery] was fairly violent where I had a gun to my head. That was quite sobering and it was hard to keep a staff together after that,” Williams said.
He learned much during that time about working with the public.
“I dealt with all kinds of people from every economic strata,” Williams said. “We have that here in Bristol, from people who don’t have a lot to the very wealthy.”
He previously was a member of the Johnson City Kiwanis Club and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from the Johnson City chamber’s leadership program.

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