Name: Ricky Blunt Sr.

Age: 52

Occupation and title: Transportation Administrator for Franklin City Public Schools

Spouse’s name: Dorothy Blunt

Children’s names and ages: Ricky Jr. 25, Rickeita 23

Church affiliation: First Baptist Church, 318 Hall St.

What’s the best part of your day? Waking up in the morning. If He allows me to get up, everything else is possible.

If you could select another profession, what would you do? Train horses and become part of a rodeo circuit

Why do you choose to live in Franklin/Southampton/Isle of Wight County? I have traveled all over the United States. There is not much to this area, but there is nothing like it, and it’s home.

If you had two weeks’ vacation and money were no object, how would you spend your time? Go to a Big Ranch in Texas and live like a cowboy

Favorite food: Salmon cakes cooked by my wife.

Favorite weekend destination: On a challenging trail ride anywhere with my wife, and friends

Favorite college sports team: Virginia State University Trojans, Petersburg (football and basketball teams

Favorite pro sports team: Indianapolis Colts

Favorite color: Crimson & Cream (Fraternity Colors)

What’s the best life lesson you’ve learned, and who taught you? There are many, but I will say you should never burn bridges with people because you never know who you will need in the future. Experience has taught me that.

Favorite Bible verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What’s the best decision you’ve made in life? Choosing Dorothy as my wife

Which local charitable or non-profit organization do you wish more people would support? Salvation Army

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know. I was once 16 hours away from my home going into foreclosure, now it will be paid off in 43 months. I was once sick and told by my doctor that I would not see my 40th birthday. I am now 52. God is real.

What’s your hobby? Horseback riding

If you could re-live one day of your life, which would it be and why? My wedding day. Being married to Dorothy has been so nice, I would like to do it twice.

What gives you the blues? Apathy, injustice and man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man.

What’s the most Southern thing you’ve ever done? Helped my father kill and clean hogs.

What’s your best childhood memory? My mother pulling the covers up over my shoulders and kissing me good night.

Tell us one true thing. Ability can get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

What frightens you most? Hatred. A person who is consumed by hate is capable of doing anything.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why? It wouldn’t matter, as long as my family, my church and my horses are there.

Who’s your favorite ex-president? Abraham Lincoln

If you could pass or change one law, what would it be? The penalty for smoking and selling crack cocaine should be the same for selling and snorting powdered cocaine.

What last brought tears to your eyes? A letter recently wrote to me on my birthday by my son telling me how much he appreciates, loves and respects me.

If you could invite three guests – living or dead, from anytime in history – to dinner, who would they be? Robert F. Kennedy, Sen. Barack Obama and Harriet Tubman

What three objects would you take with you to a desert island? Bible, horse, boat

What kind of music do you like, and who’s your favorite performer? Gospel and R&B. Marvin Sapp and Frankie Beverly

Tell us about a good movie you’ve seen lately and why you liked it. “Apocalyptic and Gladiator.” Both main characters went through extreme hardship, but prevailed in the end.

Who’s a famous athlete or entertainer you admire? Michael Phelps and Denzel Washington, they both are successful, but have remained humble.

What’s the last book you read? “How to become a contagious Christian”

To whom are you grateful and why? Jesus Christ for forgiving me, my parents for rearing me, my wife for loving me, my children for being obedient, and my sister, Annette, for giving me one of her kidneys