Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 10, 1994 TAG: 9402100173
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Pinckard's retirement comes nearly three years after he severed parts of two fingers in a woodworking accident. He said the injury played a role in his unexpected retirement.
"When you get your fingers cut off, it's traumatic," he said. "It changes your life. That's the last thing you think of when you go to sleep at night and when you wake up in the morning."
Pinckard, 50, will be eligible to receive at least half of his salary - now $49,606 - in disability benefits under the Virginia Supplemental Retirement System.
First elected in 1975, Pinckard, a Democrat, has overseen the county's tax records during a time of tremendous growth and change. The number of parcels of land in the county has doubled, thanks in large part to residential development around Smith Mountain Lake.
He considers computerizing the commissioner's office his most significant accomplishment.
He is also credited with discovering a $700,000 shortfall in trust accounts while reviewing sales contracts for more than 9,000 cemetery plots at Franklin Memorial Park.
The cemetery, which serves many Franklin County families, is seeking to get back on solid financial footing with bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
His woodworking accident resulted from his efforts to save the county money.
After the state cut his office budget in 1991, Pinckard could not afford to buy new cabinets for computer terminals his staff needed to audit state income tax returns. Instead, he decided to make the cabinets himself with $146 worth of birch and walnut lumber.
"If I could have saved the county $800 to $1,000, it would have been grand," he said after the accident. "But because I got hurt in the process, it seems like it's a different story."
He was cutting wood for the cabinets when his right hand got caught in a table saw. The blade severed the tips of his index and ring fingers at the first knuckle.
Shortly after the accident, the state Worker's Compensation Board ruled that the accident was work-related. Pinckard received benefits to cover his medical expenses.
He said he hoped that people would not hold that against him.
"I was trying to do something for the county," he said.
Pinckard declined to elaborate on why he's retiring.
"I'm eligible for it, I qualify for it, and, therefore, I'm retiring," he said.
He said he has no plans now, but would be willing to act as a consultant for his replacement.
Circuit Judge B.A. Davis III said he will appoint an acting commissioner who will serve until the election for constitutional officers scheduled for November 1995.
Blackwater Supervisor Wayne Angell had been mentioned as a possible replacement for Pinckard, but he said he is not interested in the job.
"Far as I know, that's a tough job," he said. "You don't get on anybody's Christmas card list in that job."
by CNB