THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 18, 1995 TAG: 9510170060
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
In the 1980s, it wasn't popular to be a Republican in Isle of Wight County, says Patrick Gleason, the current chairman of the Isle of Wight Republican Party.
Today, that has changed.
``Republican ideas are becoming more acceptable in Isle of Wight County,'' Gleason said. ``There was a time when we only sent 12 people to the Republican convention in Richmond. Last year, we sent 93 from Isle of Wight.''
Gleason said he believes Republicans in the national spotlight have influenced people at the local and state levels.
``The greatest thing that ever happened to the Republicans was the election of Bill Clinton,'' he said. ``After that, many people said, `I've had it!'
``And on the state level this year, we have 86 Republicans running for office. It's the first time in Virginia that more Republicans are running than Democrats.''
Still, Gleason said, it's the last 30 days before any election, a time when voters can be swayed, that determines how people vote.
``The primary issue is whose agenda will be supported,'' Gleason said. ``The Republicans believe the answers are in the people - the individual candidates.''
In the last days before the election, Gleason plans to man phones and go door-knocking to ask voters to turn out at the polls.
``We want to encourage everyone to participate,'' he said.
Name: Patrick D. Gleason.
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? I was transferred to Franklin by the contract management company I had been working for in Northern Virginia. Southampton Memorial Hospital hired me in 1980.
Birthdate: June 21, 1951.
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Fondest childhood memory: Just the security of knowing how much I was loved by my parents. Their love and self-sacrifice has always been a tremendous model for me.
Marital status: Married for 23 years to Mary Ellen, my encourager, adviser and best friend.
Children: Five terrific children - Tim, Jessica, Molly, Abby and Christopher.
Pets: Assorted dogs, cats, fish, guinea hens, goats and the occasional 4-H market lamb or hog project.
First job: Delivering papers.
Worst job: Driving a lumber and building materials delivery truck in Northern Virginia traffic.
Occupation: Vice president, general services, at Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Editor of The Washington Post.
Favorite hangout: Our family room.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner with my wife anywhere.
Favorite food/drink: Bran flakes/water - in case my doctor reads this.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? A couple of weeks in the Virginia mountains with my family - backpacking, fishing, canoeing, antiquing and visiting historic sites.
I can't resist: A good practical joke.
Few people know that: Up until this profile, I would have said that very few people knew that I was the chairman of the Isle of Wight Republican Party.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? I'd pay off our house, set up educational trusts for my children, give most of the rest of it away, except for whatever I spent on a boat and gave to my wife for furniture. Or, maybe I'd farm until I ran out of money.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``You better take the time to take care of yourself. `You' is all you get, and your family needs you.'' This advice came from a friend.
What do you think is best thing about yourself? My choice in wives.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I wouldn't trade places with anyone. No one else has my wife and kids, or the terrific friends, job and church family I have. I have the opportunity to make a difference right where I am just by being the person God created me to be.
Of what achievements are you most proud? I'm happy to have been able to be in the path of many opportunities in my community. I serve on our neighborhood watch group, my position as a board member of Washington Bible College/Capitol Seminary near Washington, D.C., involvement with the Isle of Wight County Fair, 4-H and Boy Scouts, my church and participation in the local Republican Party. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
by CNB