(Ed. note: Incumbent Mike Altizer is a member of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, from the Vinton District. Patrick Patterson, a guidance counselor at William Byrd High School, is challenging him next month. This is the first in a series of candidate Q&A interviews that will appear in the Star-Sentinel before Election Day on November 2.)
Q: What is your party affiliation?
ALTIZER: Republican
PATTERSON: Democrat
Q: Where did you grow up?
ALTIZER: Salem and Roanoke.
PATTERSON: Wheaton, Illinois.
Q: Why are you qualified for this position?
ALTIZER: I have served on the board for seven years and it has given me the experience in government that is truly needed as we try to recover from our recent recession. Being retired, I have the time to dedicate to solving the problems we will face and spend whatever time is needed at the General Assembly session to lobby against things that will be detrimental to local government.
PATTERSON: I am passionate about serving our citizens and giving them a voice at the county level and our citizens are deserving of better, more progressive representation. Who better to serve the citizens of the Vinton Magisterial District than an educational leader, business owner and board member of our own Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce?
Q: Name three major endorsements.
ALTIZER: Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Roanoke Regional Chamber Business Leadership and Roanoke County Firefighters Association
PATTERSON: Delegate Onzlee Ware (11th District), Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt and Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
Q: What do you consider your best accomplishment in life so far?
ALTIZER: Forty-one years of marriage.
PATTERSON: Our family and life that my wife Annette and I have built together.
Q: Name two good reasons people should vote for you.
ALTIZER: Integrity and dedication.
PATTERSON: I am citizen centered and believe we need to focus more on regional partnerships.
Q: Why did you decide to run?
ALTIZER: We are in challenging times and I knew my experience would be needed in helping guide Roanoke County in the next four years. I have the desire and time to give citizens what they deserve and expect from this position.
PATTERSON: I believe the citizens should have a voice and should be heard by their elected officials. I see the need for progressive thinking and for a significant change on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
Q: Say something nice about your opponent.
ALTIZER: Dedicated to education.
PATTERSON: Mike cares about his fellow citizens in Mt. Pleasant, as I do, and he loves his family with all his heart.
Q: Do you have any pets?
ALTIZER: Doberman Pinscher, Rat Terrier and Chihuahua.
PATTERSON: We have a rescue dog named Miley that we adopted from the Angels of Assisi four years ago – part golden retriever and part lab.
Mark Altizer
Q: Did you vote in the last three elections?
ALTIZER: Yes.
PATTERSON: No, only in the last two.
Q: How long have you lived in your district?
ALTIZER: Twelve years.
PATTERSON: Since 2005.
Q: Who do you admire now?
ALTIZER: My wife.
PATTERSON: My wife, my children, my parents and our teachers.
Q: Do you owe any back taxes?
ALTIZER: No.
PATTERSON: No.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities?
ALTIZER: Public safety, education and reducing real estate taxes.
PATTERSON: Improve upon the support of our schools, job creation and economic development.
Q: What is your religion?
ALTIZER: Baptist.
PATTERSON: Catholic.
By Carla M. Bream [email protected]
