Pritchett

King

Incumbent faces one opponent in race for Spotsylvania County treasurer

Date published: 10/30/2007

Rebecca J. Barnabi

Republican Alfred King is an appraisal business executive running for Spotsylvania County treasurer against longtime incumbent Larry Pritchett.

King said Pritchett is doing a good job, but it is time for a change.

King favors term limits for the treasurer's office.

"Public service is just that: service," King said. "It should not be a career."

He said he will not run for re-election if elected.

King was a treasurer in Wisconsin for two years and served on the School Board in Saddle River, N.J.

"I feel my years as Spotsylvania County treasurer certainly give me an understanding of what is needed to keep pace with the technology, financial and customer service needs of our citizens," Pritchett, an Independent, said.

Pritchett said that during his 20-year tenure he extended office hours to better serve taxpayers in tax season, began offering automatic bank drafting for water and sewer payments, and implemented a program which allows online bill payment.

Before being elected treasurer in 1988, Pritchett was in finance and administration in Spotsylvania for 13 years.

He said his experience, educational background and dedication make him the best candidate for the position.

"I believe in the importance of keeping one's word and agreements and the need to treat taxpayers and citizens in a sincere and respectful manner," said Pritchett, 55."

It also is important to remain open to new ideas to provide the best service, he said.

King said he is committed to providing his best effort to help all residents.

"There will be no, 'If you are calling about , then push 3 '" King said. "You will be dealing with human beings dedicated to helping."

NAME: Larry K. Pritchett ADDRESS: Old Mill Lane POLITICAL PARTY: Independent POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Treasurer since 1988 AGE: 55 FAMILY: Wife, Judy, three children, four grandchildren OCCUPATION: Spotsylvania County treasurer EDUCATION: Associate's degree in business administration, Germanna Community College, 1972, Bachelor's degree in accounting, Virginia Tech, 1974; certified as a master governmental treasurer by the Treasurer's Association of Virginia and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Member of Goshen Baptist Church; active in Babe Ruth Baseball for more than 25 years and currently president HONORS, AWARDS WON: Treasurer's Association Community Service Award, 1998; Treasurer's Association Treasurer of the Year, 2003; Treasurer's Association President's Award, 2007; Spotsylvania Treasurer's Office has received the Award of Accreditation from Treasurer's Association of Virginia for the past three years. THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THIS RACE: Keeping the treasurer's position as an elected position because it gives the citizens a voice in local government; keeping a collection rate no less than 95 percent for real estate tax and no less than 90 percent for personal property tax; knowledge of the treasurer's office, which will help provide for the financial and customer service needs of residents NAME: Alfred King ADDRESS: Fawn Lake POLITICAL PARTY: Republican POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Treasurer, Village of North Bay, Wis., 1976 to 1978; School Board, Saddle River, N.J., 1993 to 1996 AGE: 73 (turns 74 tomorrow) FAMILY: Wife, Mary Jane, one child, two stepchildren, seven grandchildren OCCUPATION: Appraisal business executive EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, Harvard University, 1954; MBA, Harvard Business School, 1959 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Member of the Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg HONORS, AWARDS WON: Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the World THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THIS RACE: Business experience in investments; financial management of an important governmental unit; term limits for treasurer

Date published: 10/30/2007

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