Meet Dr. Octavia Altheimer, Running For Bloom Township Supervisor

BLOOM TOWNSHIP, IL — Meet Dr. Octavia Altheimer, candidate for Bloom Township Supervisor. Running opposed, Altheimer recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Dr. Octavia Altheimer

Age (as of Election Day)

45

Town/City of Residence

Glenwood

Office Sought

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education

Doctorate in Health Administration from Central Michigan University, Bachelors and Masters in Health Administration from Governors State and Associates degree in Health Information Technology

Occupation

Entrepreneur 12 years, Healthcare Executive 18 years , Professor in Health Administration, Adjunct Professor, Medical Billing & Coding, US Army Veteran

Campaign website

www.droctaviaaltheimer.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

2018-2019 Bloom Township Democratic Organization: President- under current opponent

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issues facing the board is COVID-19! I intend to work with private sector healthcare services to expand the ability for Covid-19 testing and vaccinations in the Bloom Township community. Also, I will partner ALL municipalities (not just Chicago Heights) in the township to designate locations and venues for testing sites and vaccination stations. This being done while making it easier open access for seniors .

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I believe in civil rights while believing in the first amendment. I believe in peaceful protesting, I too, believe in due process and in some cases, peaceful protesting is a form of holding people accountable to transparency.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

While I will give credit to the ethnicity make up of the board, I would still say there is no diversity on the board when it comes to representation of all twelve towns that make up the Bloom Township community. Right now everyone who's on the board, is from the same neighborhood. There should be representation from all 12 towns working in Bloom Township Supervisors office and on the Board. This hasn't happened.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I believe Bloom Township can play a bigger role in educating the community on the CDC recommendations, trusting and believing in the scientist and medical doctors in their respective fields. As it pertains to local mask mandate, I believe we can achieve our goals through education and persuasiveness of getting our to see the benefits from
wearing a mask.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

This is something I am very familiar with and am already on the frontlines with this mandate, doing the work. Bloom Township should be working in partnership with municipalities, school districts and private sectors to go after available resources. PPE, air quality units, plexiglass partitions, temperature readers etc. And identifying locations and venues for COVID-19 testing and vaccination stations while providing the necessary education to the community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I'm the only candidate that's not from Chicago Heights or have lived there. Additionally, I am the only candidate that's listening to the other eleven municipalities in Bloom Township while talking about our current and most pressing issues like Covid-19 and access to testing/vaccinations sites. Dealing with the aftermath and what life is like once we come out of the pandemic surrounding mental health is almost, but forgotten about issue. Working with the school districts and business owners to seek available resources to help re-open schools and businesses is the criticalness of Bloom Township.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I would not say the current board has failed... Failed is a very strong negative verb. My efforts is always to be positive and not attacking what has or not has happened as I one day, will be in that seat. So instead of speaking negative about the other two candidates in this race, efforts, records, or lack there of... I rather speak more about what I've heard from the citizens of Bloom Township, and how my strong business acumen, experience, background, and willingness to working collaboratively to address the issues, concerns and needs of the Bloom Township citizens.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My campaign is based on four pillars... Healthcare, Education, Economics and Services. Each one's success is essential to the other three success. That's why it's imperative to have a comprehensive plan in place of prioritizing all four and executing the plan to the fullest of our ability!

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Having served in the military, I feel is an accomplishment all by its self... With that being said, my education ( Getting a Master's in Healthcare Administration and Doctorate in Health Administration respectively) all the while raising a family, would be high on my list of accomplishments. Not to mention serving on many boards in the community like being the former President of the Bloom Township.

Democratic Organization from 2018-2019, and of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention being part of a phenomenal, FINER, organization/ sisterhood :Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Incorporated. These accomplishments to speak of a few, afforded me the ability to work with a team and lead many, while being an administrator with high level organizing skills, patience with dealing with adversity and empathizing with others misfortune.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

What I see as a success in my first term in office, is driving through all twelve of our towns and seeing parents dropping off their students at school and knowing that they are safe. Looking in the window of businesses and seeing them flip the sign that reads: "OPEN FOR BUSINESS".

Why should voters trust you?

In the military you're taught from day one, in order to be an effective soldier, Trust is EVERYTHING! While a few people who served may have deviated from that philosophy.... I never veered off course from the time it was groomed into me. I was taught at an early age that your word is your bond, and you only have one name. I hold these words to the highest esteem!

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I STRONGLY believe in fiscal accountability. I believe you can be frugal with quality. Maintaining quality service with a balance budget, through prioritizing. Transparency is lacking with the taxpayers dollars.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I am not under any investigations nor do I have any allegations against me. Since I am nowhere near retirement status, my mind and time are free and clear effectively to do the job as supervisor

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To be a good leader, you must be patience enough to hear someone's opinion, humble enough to take someone's advice, and strong enough to stand your position!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

" The pandemic changed the entire world, but not Bloom Township; I am the RESET to Bloom Township"! I invite you all to join me in the movement of resetting Bloom Township To A Brighter, Better, Bloom!