Jim Bednar’s family came to Springfield, New Hampshire seventy years ago. After retiring from the ministry, Jim’s father moved here with his wife — able to rest, but still serving communities, preaching in Claremont, Keene and Wilmot. That sense of service was instilled in Jim.
He served his country for close to forty years with USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, heading American foreign assistance programs throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and in post-Communist Czechoslovakia. Throughout all of it, Springfield was home — where Jim, his wife and their three children spent summers and holidays.
Across that career and the retirements that followed, the commitment stayed the same: support and strengthen communities. Be it small scale farmers in Africa, small businesses in Czechoslovakia, or communities in Sri Lanka recovering and rebuilding after their civil war.
Retiring full time to Springfield did not change the pattern. Jim has served on the town zoning board and the Springfield 250th Celebration committee, and for the last ten years has headed the Springfield Historical Society. Under his leadership the Historical Society Museum was transformed into a place where the community gathers and takes part — and a traditional barn raising built a barn to display Springfield’s agricultural heritage. He also chairs Springfield’s Democratic Committee, building a community of like-minded neighbors to support candidates and policies that benefit the town.
Jim will bring that same commitment to supporting communities to the job of County Commissioner.
