Bristol council adopts formal censure of Councilmember Michael Pollard

The Bristol, Virginia City Council voted Jan. 28, 2025, to adopt a resolution formally censuring Councilmember Michael Pollard after extended public comment and council discussion about his conduct, Mayor Nave said during the meeting.

The resolution, introduced during the meeting's Item D-1, said Pollard engaged in conduct that violated the council's code of ethics and standards of conduct and named specific paragraphs the council found were breached. The council read the resolution aloud before calling the roll and placing the censure in the official minutes.

The item drew multiple public speakers who addressed Pollard's character and the council's response. Reverend Jackie Nochlin told the council, "Once a man has confessed, apologized, and repented, who am I to judge?" Catherine Elkins said, "I've never known Michael to ever tell a falsehood." James Christopher Brown described Pollard as a persistent critic of certain projects and supportive public-information efforts, while Pastor Yates said of Pollard, "Michael's no liar." By contrast, Ricky Watts urged Pollard to resign, saying, "I'm asking you personally, man to man, to resign the position that you're in because you've lost the credibility of your position."

Mayor Nave opened council discussion by calling the situation "unfortunate" and saying the decision was not taken lightly: "This is an unfortunate situation for the council and the city of Bristol. It is not a decision we take lightly, nor is it one that we wanted to make." Vice Mayor Holmes described censure under state law as primarily a formal statement of disapproval and said "there is no real bite to this. There is no punishment."

Council discussion focused on the effect of the conduct on public trust and on city employees. One councilmember noted that a paramount duty is to "protect city employees," saying employees who "come to work to do your job" should not be subject to false statements. Pollard acknowledged he had "said things that I should not have" and, when asked, said he stood by his prior apology and the statement he had signed acknowledging misconduct.

The resolution text, as read in the meeting, cited violations of the council's code of ethics and standards of conduct, including provisions against using a public position to attack colleagues or staff, maintaining confidentiality of personnel matters, and using abusive or intimidating language in public meetings. The resolution called on Pollard to publicly acknowledge harm, take steps to rectify it, and comply with the code going forward; it also directed that the censure be recorded in the official minutes and made a matter of public record.

The council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote. The clerk's roll call as captured in the public record shows Councilmember Farnam, Vice Mayor Holmes, Councilmember Osborne and Mayor Nave responding "Yes." The council's adopted resolution will be entered into the official minutes. The transcript does not capture an audible recorded vote for Pollard on the final roll call for the resolution.

After the vote the council took a brief recess before proceeding with the rest of the agenda. The censure resolution and the public comments will remain part of the council's public record as of Jan. 28, 2025.