Award couldn't go to a nicer guy

Whoever coined the phrase, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," probably had Jake Pollard in mind.

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Rarely has there been a finer statesman among those serving in Columbia County public office, and it's in his genes: Before taking a seat in the state Senate, Pollard was the county's clerk of court for 28 years - succeeding his father, Jake Sr., who held the office for 32 years.

When the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce awarded Pollard its highest honor this past week, the Lifetime Achievement Award, it didn't do so just because he managed to win lots of elections. Pollard won for serving his community with honesty and integrity both in elected office and in volunteer service - including, for example, three decades as chairman of the board of deacons at his church.

Such an award naturally recognizes the recipient's longevity. Our county is a better place because Jake Pollard's years were spent here.