There’s one more candidate for Oxford Township Board in the Aug. 5 primary election, but his name won’t appear on the ballot, so keep a pen handy.
Patrick Thompson, 61, has filed the necessary paperwork to run as a Republican write-in candidate.
‘I started looking into some of the issues over there and it was clear they needed somebody with integrity,? he explained. ‘I’m not saying Joe didn’t do a good job there because I can’t say that. But there are some issues I heard about that made me think my background, my moral background, would be good there.?
A resident of the township for five years, Thompson is armed with 25 years experience in the banking industry plus 12 years with Ford Motor Credit Co.
His most recent position was doing commercial lending for Oxford Bank until he was let go in December 2007, the result of cost-saving measures taken by the financial institution.
No stranger to government, Thompson served on the Oxford Downtown Development Authority’s board of directors until his resignation in June.
He spent part of his time with the DDA as the board’s treasurer.
Thompson decided to run for treasurer after ‘a number of people suggested it,? including village Manager Joe Young. ‘He said, ‘Pat, you ought to run for that.??
Banking experience aside, the four years Thompson spent as vice president and trea surer of the Dearborn Capital Co., a small subsidiary of Ford, is one of the reasons he feels ‘fairly qualified and confident? to be township treasurer.
‘I ran that company for quite a while,? he said.
Thompson believes his financial experience would be a great asset to the township when dealing with such issues as lost revenues and properties going into foreclosure.
‘I know I can make a difference in that area,? he said.
Thompson is already known in his 166-unit subdivision, Hometown Village at Waterstone, after serving two years as the homeowners association’s first president.
‘I’ve already walked around my neighborhood a little bit and talked to some of the folks here,? he said.
Thompson has also applied for the position as DDA director, which has been vacant since Carolyn Bennett resigned in June. He said if he were to get that job, he won’t run for treasurer.
For now, Thompson’s working on drafting his positions regarding the issues and planning to get his name out there.
‘I’ve got to make some signs up and stick’em in lawns,? he said.