ERIC BRADY The Roanoke Times

Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, sorts through a pile of inquiries from state agencies and nonprofits in his Richmond office.

ERIC BRADY The Roanoke Times

Del. Charles Poindexter was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, which deals with state finances, at a challenging time.

General Assembly 2011

Among the major issues: The state's continuing efforts to provide services with fewer dollars and Gov. McDonnell's plan to privatize liquor stores. Session ends Feb. 26.

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RICHMOND -- Del. Charles Poindexter stood behind Gov. Bob McDonnell on Wednesday morning as he signed a bill allocating 80 percent of future royalties from offshore drilling to transportation projects.

The spot in the background is just fine with the soft-spoken Republican from Franklin County.

"Being a good legislator isn't about how many bills you pass," Poindexter said. "It's about impact."

But in his second term, Poindexter has found it a little more difficult to work behind the scenes. His appointment to the prestigious House Appropriations Committee and the stalled reappointment of a well-known judge in his district have put more of a spotlight on the Glade Hill farmer.

As this year's session comes to a close, Poindexter has sponsored eight bills and co-sponsored 15 others, including the bill dealing with offshore drilling royalties. But more than that, he has worked outside delegate chambers on issues concerning his constituents, he said.

Of the bills he sponsored, a couple were left in committee or tabled, while a few -- including a bill creating tax credits for "green" job creation -- passed both the House and Senate.

Poindexter joined other delegates on bills that have passed both chambers, including House Bill 1390, which gives the state more say in the creation of public charter schools, and the bill suspending Appalachian Power Co.'s recent rate increases.

Also, he recently requested the secretary of technology look into the possibility of creating a software package for local governments. Most localities use different technology to run their offices and report the same information to the state. A standard software package could be more cost effective, Poindexter said.

"I'm not just sitting here, behind my desk," he said. "I'm thinking about better ways to do things."

Poindexter had to think, too, when he got caught up in the delayed reappointment of Franklin County Circuit Court Judge William Alexander.

Though Poindexter doesn't sit on the committee in charge of appointing judges, he played a role in the reappointment process in which Alexander was questioned about his handling of a special grand jury that investigated the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

While other area legislators spoke out in support of Alexander, Poindexter stayed mum until two days before the committee voted to reappoint him.

"It's disappointing people don't understand it's a process," he said last week. "One that has worked well for 400 years in Virginia. Being a judge is not a popularity contest."

Alexander was reappointed to another eight-year term Wednesday.

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Poindexter, 67, started his second term in January after handily beating Independent Green party candidate Sherman Witcher.

"Onzlee Ware said it best," Poindexter said. "It takes two elections and four assemblies to get a handle on things."

Finishing up his third legislative session, Poindexter said he feels comfortable in Richmond.

Legislative aide Lindsay Bowman Poteat said she has seen little change in her boss.

"He has not changed since day one," she said. "He has remained true to himself and stuck to his values and beliefs."

His conservative values and beliefs are what help his constituents in Franklin County and parts of Floyd and Pittsylvania counties relate to him, said Franklin County Republican Party Chairman Bill Stanley.

"The stands he takes on every issue so far in the House have clearly demonstrated he's a principal conservative on issues that matter most to Virginians," Stanley said. "It's clear, since he had little or no opposition, that Charles is considered a strong legislator in the area. More importantly, he reflects the attitude of all of his constituents in the district."

Poindexter's conservative, deep-thinking style resulted in an appointment to the House Appropriations Committee, his biggest accomplishment in Richmond, he said.

"I'm just overwhelmed," he said. "I'm very honored."

Eight years on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors dealing with county departments and budgets has prepared him for the House committee that handles the state's money business, Poindexter said.

His appointment comes during the most challenging economic time in decades.

Local governments in his district are struggling with multimillion-dollar cuts in funding that could mean drastic cuts in public services.

Although the appropriations committee agreed it would not increase taxes, local governments will have to make that choice for themselves if they want to maintain the same level of services, he said.

Government spending has exceeded inflation and population growth over the past few years, resulting in larger government, Poindexter said. He said he'd like to see the state maintain core services and programs.

"It's kind of an unspoken rule here: The first priority is probably public safety," Poindexter said. "Then we look at human needs and educational needs."

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From 6 a.m. breakfasts to late evening meetings and dinners, Poindexter stays on the move.

His office receives hundreds of e-mails, phone calls and letters every day, Poteat said. Lately Appalachian rate increases, animal rights and budget cuts have been hot topics.

Poteat and her mother and fellow legislative assistant, Brenda Bowman, work to keep track of everything, leaving information and notes on his desk.

Poindexter doesn't spend a lot of time in his office during the day, but signs of his presence are there. An assortment of nuts and a bottle of Tums sit on his desk among stacks of papers. A large photo of former President Reagan and another of the second President Bush adorn the walls.

Soon, he will trade his Richmond office for his Glade Hill office, where he prefers being called Charlie to Delegate Poindexter. Though his surroundings will change, the demands of the job won't.

While he'll have more time on the farm where he produces hay, already he has appointments scheduled for next week in the district, which he won't make if the budget isn't passed. He'll also continue to work on bringing jobs back to his district, especially in construction, which he sees as key to the region's economy.

Overall, Poindexter said he loves what he does, regardless of the long hours and tough decisions. A run for another elected office isn't out of the question, but it's not something he's focused on at the moment.

"It's important to serve the community in whatever way you make an impact," Poindexter said.