Sandra Reid can be found at the Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District office located in the Mill Spring Agricultural Center where she is the Office Administrator. There are some people who work hard not because of the pay, but because they have good work ethics. Mrs. Reid is one of the latter, and has been serving the county for the past 12 years. Mrs. Reid has given her time and efforts to the Polk County area because she loves the area and her job.
Mrs. Reid spent many years in the corporate world. The supervisor of 75 people she grew tired of ladder climbing and beepers invading her private time. She was taught to have respect for herself and for others. She decided that money was not everything, and gave up more than $20,000 a year in salary to be satisfied in her job. This respect for self brought her back to Polk County and the area she had grown to love. “Where I live matters”, she said with humility.
Mrs. Reid’s greatest assets were her parents. They passed their good values and hard work ethics on to her as a child, and she tried to pass them on to the next generation and others. She is proud to tell of her father’s teachings and his good examples. When he was 82, “he could still split his own wood for his wood stove.” Sandra spoke of him working circles around other younger men who tried to help him. Her father could not sit back in a rocking chair as he grew older – he was too busy. Sandra was taught values are expected by people, and that one had better follow those values. She recalled her mom letting her know that if she was to be just a biscuit cook; she must be the best biscuit cook.
Her desires have been to be a good mother, wife and daughter. Mrs. Reid has a satisfying life and spoke of it with love and care. Her words were that she has had a “good, productive, happy, blessed life”.
Things with Reid are either black or white. “Where there are no gray areas, there is no confusion.” In her office, what she says will be done, will be. She remembers being taught to “do anything you tell someone you will do, even if it cost you, because your word is your reputation and your bond.” She looks for “solid” people to work with, and prides herself on being fair. Reid tries to give all people the same and fair opportunities. Always remember that “being fair will pay off in later years.” She knows that she must sometimes do things that are good for the county even when she does not personally like doing it.
Polk County benefits from people like Mrs. Reid. Her love for the area can be heard as she speaks of the mountain views, her neighbors and her family. “None of these can be replaced”, and “Polk County is priceless.”

– Ernie Kan