Email
Print
Incumbent Matthews claims improvement, not perfection
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: September 27, 2009
When Ron Matthews completed the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Statesville program, he took the "leadership" part to heart.
Matthews recalls the admonishment then-Chamber President Danny Hearn delivered to Matthews' 1990 class to go out and "do something with it." In 2001, Matthews ran and was elected to the States-ville City Council Ward 5 seat. He was re-elected in 2005.
And, now, in his fight for a third term, Matthews is running on his record.
A teacher at Statesville Middle School, he says his time on the council has not been marked by perfection but rather by improvement.
Matthews typically works hardest on an issue when he has been contacted personally by constituents regarding a particular matter.
At last week's city council meeting, for example, he led an effort to place stronger restrictions as conditions of a zoning request in the area near the old Burlington Industries plant.
The matter ended up being tabled when the landowner did not agree to Matthews' stipulations.
Matthews believes helping people is a good part of the job. He talks of families who live on Long Street, a small side road just a few blocks west of downtown Statesville.
"(They are) no longer living on a dirt road but driving on an asphalt street to get home," Matthews said, alluding to a street-paving program instituted by the city in the past few years. "It it perfect? No. But it's better."
He gives another anecdote about an older man named Bill, who called him with concerns about noise and vandalism in the area near where he lived.
"Together, with neighbors, the Statesville Police Department and city staff, we worked for a solution," Matthews said. "Again, is it perfect? No. But in talking with Bill, he tells me it's better."
Matthews is in favor of the N.C. 115 Downtown Statesville Streetscape/ Land Use Master Plan, which recently has become the hottest topic among city leaders and candidates for the city council.
"I think it's a great plan," Matthews said, recalling a trip to Greenville, S.C., city leaders took two years ago that highlighted that city's major revitalization.
"We can do that here," Matthews said. "Revitalization needs to start now, not 20 years from now. I see this as something that will stand the test of time."
Matthews said this campaign marks a "renewal" of his commitment to work with the citizens of the city.
"Together," he said, "we will have a great place to live, to work, to play and to pass on to future generations."
Email
Print
