Richard Linville has been in politics for many years. Now in his late 60s, Linville, has been involved in local politics since he was 30 and was recently elected chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. He credits his farm life upbringing for his tenacity in the face of adversity and success in the tough world of politics.
Linville asserts that his self-confidence was learned on his parent's farm as a young kid. While his peers were playing sports and games, Linville started driving the used tractors on his farm by the time he was 7 or 8 he says. When he was 12, he was effortlessly navigating a combine harvester through the farm. "I liked the equipment and doing work," he tells the Winston-Salem Journal.
Tragically, both of Linville's parents passed away when he was young, but he affirms that farm life taught him to be strong and calm in the face of adversity, a trait he has carried with him his entire life. When making political decisions, Linville takes his time and endeavors to make prudent choices. This "cautiousness comes from the farming business," he declares, because if "you are not cautious it is going to cost you big time."
As he assumes his role as chairman - a post he also held in the mid 1980s - Linville is grateful for his farm life upbringing for positively influencing how he thinks and acts.
Politician thanks farm life background, time on used tractors for his prudent nature
Richard Linville credits his success in politics with his farm life upbringing.