By Tom Netherland

As Virginia’s largest telephone company, Bell Atlantic would appear to the casual observer to have vast political influence.

And the observer would be correct.

For example, during the 1999 election cycle, the company’s political action committee gave $93,948 to members of the General Assembly. That made Bell Atlantic the 24^th-biggest donor to Virginia legislators.

On the surface, that may appear to give Bell Atlantic an edge at the Capitol.

"We help people get elected," said Hugh Stallard, Bell Atlantic’s recently retired CEO. "It does, however, enable us to gain access. It opens doors."

But the contributions, he added, do not buy or influence lawmakers’ votes.

"There’s not a direct tie-in with contributions and how they vote. That’s illegal and is not done," Stallard said.

He said the company asks its employees to contribute from time to time. He said that Bell Atlantic does so to involve its employees in the political process.

"We go around the company and ask employees to contribute," he said.

"They aren’t required to do so and will not be favored good or bad should they decided to or not to contribute. We like to involve everyone in the process."

Stallard said Bell Atlantic intentionally balances to whom it donates money. Last year, the company contributed to 106 legislators, $47,198 of which went to 51 Democrats and $46,500 landed with 54 Republicans. Independent Delegate Lacey Putney received $250.

The lawmakers who got the most from Bell Atlantic were:

• Delegate Thomas W. Moss Jr., D-Norfolk - $7,500. He was House speaker until Republicans took control in January.

• Delegate C. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton - $6, 000. He was the House majority leader when the Democrats were in command.

• Delegate S. Vance Wilkins Jr., R-Amherst - $5,000. He is the current House speaker.

• Sen. Walter A. Stosch, R-Glen Allen - $4,900. He is the Senate majority leader.

"We have a committee that analyzes all the candidates, and they determine which candidates we should support," Stallard said.

"We believe that individuals on both sides can be helpful, both Republicans and Democrats," Stallard said. "If we had been giving all our money to the Democrats, for example, we would have had a difficult time with the Republicans now."

Difficult indeed, given the Republicans’ newfound control of the legislature. Stallard said that while the company does not directly influence legislators’ votes, Bell Atlantic does however seek to propound its interests.

"We do try to present our side," he said. "It’s critical that you be honest with the officials. We try to be as balanced as we can to present both side.

"I think the most important aspect is that we are involved, a company of our size to be involved."