Submitted Article – L. Dixon Leatherbury has announced his candidacy for the Northampton County Board of Supervisors, representing District 4. A lifetime resident of Machipongo, Leatherbury served multiple terms on the Northampton County Board of Zoning Appeals and is currently chairman of the Northampton County Planning Commission.
“I am fortunate to have been raised on our Eastern Shore, and even more so to have been able to live here and raise my family.
“It is now my hope to be of service to the county by representing District 4 on the board of supervisors. Retiring chairman (Spencer) Murray will leave big shoes to fill, but if elected, I will do my best to do so.
“We must address the issues of broadband for all areas of the county, infrastructure for water and sewage to direct development to our towns, affordable housing, improved education, and employment opportunities, while supporting our existing businesses, protecting our natural resources, and maintaining a high level of service for citizens.”
Leatherbury attended Johns Hopkins University studying engineering mechanics and received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Delaware.
He spent 40 years in the agricultural machinery business, with dealerships in Cheriton and Wakefield, Va. He still sells commercial irrigation equipment and is involved in growing hops for the craft brewing industry. He was also a partner in Woodside Farms for 20 years, a 1,200-acre grain and vegetable farming operation.
Leatherbury was a board member and chairman of the audit committee of Shore Bank, has served as a board member and is a past president of the Virginia Equipment Dealers Association, is a past president of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, and is currently a lay member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary District Committee.
He is a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church in Eastville, where he has served as treasurer and senior warden, and multiple terms on the vestry.
He is currently chairman of the Old Dominion Hops Cooperative.
“District 4 has a diverse population, and I look forward to spending time with as many of those citizens as possible over the next five months. I look forward to that interaction and hearing the views of constituents as we attempt to move Northampton forward responsibly.”
