The Mount Pleasant Civic League hosted a multi-race candidate forum at Mount Pleasant Elementary School recently, featuring speeches by each hopeful, followed by a question and answer session.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Vinton District candidates are Mike Altizer (R) and Patrick Patterson (D). Altizer, on the Board for seven years, pointed out that he had the moratorium lifted so that Roanoke County could have a regional jail, which is now open. Altizer said he was also instrumental in locating a new training facility for the Police Academy in Roanoke. He stated that he is a “full time supervisor for a full time job” and that he has the skills and leadership necessary to handle a tough budget.
Patterson is the Director of Guidance at William Byrd High School and vows to give “110%” of his time to the Board. He said he will foster controlled growth and that now is the time to look forward.
A questioner from the audience asked, “Do you have the time to devote to this job?” Altizer responded that since he is retired, the Board of Supervisors is his full time job. He can also go to Richmond anytime he wants and not have to send a staffer in his place. Patterson replied that even though he works full time for the school and he and his wife own a small business, he can devote whatever time it takes to the Board.
The candidates for the Roanoke County School Board in the Vinton District are Mike Stovall, Russell Wise and Jason Peters. The incumbent is Stovall, who has served on the School Board since 1995. He cited his experience over the years and is proud of school construction projects he has had a hand in. Stovall said his “goal is to not lay off a single full time employee in the county.”
Peters responded: “We need vision, open communication with parents and accountability.” He was particularly concerned over the mysterious illnesses last year at William Byrd High School and felt the School Board did not adequately inform parents of what was going on. Peters said he would be an advocate for all and promises to attend every meeting.
Wise feels his 35 years at Appalachian Power and time spent substitute teaching qualifies him for the job: “I have prepared a lot of budgets at APCO, my kids went to William Byrd, and my wife teaches there.” Wise said the number one problem facing the School Board is the budget and said they need to focus on the SOL’s and No Child Left Behind requirements.
When an audience member asked, “Are teacher’s salaries frozen?” Stovall said, “No, they are not frozen, but raises are frozen right now.” Both Peters and Wise said that salaries were indeed frozen and hinted that Stovall was being “creative” in his use of words.
Next up were the two candidates for the 17th House District Race, Bill Cleaveland (R) and Gwen Mason (D). Cleaveland started with his biography; a 58 year-old lawyer in Botetourt County and a substitute judge for 14 years. “This is the most exciting thing I have done in my life and I am 110% committed to serving my community,” noted Cleaveland, who said he stood for “limited government, improving transportation and infrastructure. I have no political agenda. I will do whatever it takes to solve the 17th District’s problems.”
Cleaveland has been endorsed by fellow Republican William Fralin, who is retiring from the 17th District seat after three terms, and by the NRA with an “A” rating.
Mason said she grew up with a strong belief in public service; she has also been a member of Roanoke City Council for three years. “I will always do what I think is best for the 17th. I am a very hard worker and I treasure Virginia.”
Asked about the Right To Work Law, both candidates said they support it. When asked about a tax increase to fund transportation needs, Mason said she would only be in favor of raising taxes as a last resort to fund critical transportation, while Cleaveland opposes raising taxes for any reason.
Cleaveland cited a recent study that showed there was over two billion dollars in waste due to duplication in state services and said that was a good place to start an overhaul. When asked about off-shore oil drilling, Mason said she feels it is not the answer to long term problems, whereas Cleaveland said he supports it because it has the potential to make money for the state in the long run.
When asked about goals in the legislature should voters elect them on Nov. 2, Mason stated she “wanted to support the educational system” and Cleaveland said, “Economic development and transportation.”
By Carla M. Bream [email protected]