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Political Novice Touts Fresh Perspective

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By JULIA FERRANTE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

Republican Matt Matey is taking on 24-year incumbent Ann Hildebrand and community activist Wil Nickerson in the party primary for the District 3 county commission race. The winner faces whoever prevails in the Democratic primary between Terri Conroy and Nicholas Planck.

The Tampa Tribune recently asked Matey about his candidacy.

Why Are You The Best Candidate?

Matey, an electrician recently laid off from his job with a building company, said he has seen the standard of living decline in Pasco County during the past several years and that county commissioners are not doing enough to change that.

He said his "fresh ideas" and perspective make him the best candidate for the job.

"I don't owe anybody anything. I'm not beholden to developers," he said. "I don't believe the county commission should be a career. My services would be as a public servant. I would limit myself to two terms, eight years."

If elected, Matey said he would work to make government more accessible to residents by organizing town hall meetings. He also would give a more critical eye to developments he said are approved too easily.

"I've been to county commission meetings where they have said, 'I'm not comfortable with this, but I'm going to vote yes.' If you don't approve of it, table it until you have more information."

Matey criticized Pasco's code enforcement division for being "lax" about enforcing the rules. He suggested moving employees from the building department, where needs have waned, to code enforcement, where the needs are greater.

Some workers were reassigned recently after county officials eliminated 22 positions in the building department.

Environmental Protection

Voters in 2004 approved an extra penny of sales tax to pay for road projects, new schools and environmental lands acquisition. County officials made a promise that Penny for Pasco funds would be spent on those specific projects.

Matey said the county should put a moratorium on buying conservation lands and redirect Penny for Pasco funds to other needs, such as building roads.

"What I'm hoping is that being able to divert Penny for Pasco funds toward roads might lower impact fees," Matey said. "I am hoping we can work something out so the homeowner isn't faced with paying $20,000 in construction impact fees all at once. I may get told that's not going to work. I don't have all the solutions."

Matey said he was not sure he would support purchase of the Cross Bar Ranch in central Pasco, a 12,500-acre property that encompasses a regional well field. County commissioners are seeking state funding to keep the land from being developed.

"At this time, I'd probably have to get more information," he said.

Economic Development

Pasco is too dependent on residential development and needs to attract big companies with high-paying jobs, Matey said. He supports redevelopment of vacant buildings such as the former Service Merchandise building off U.S. 19 in west Pasco.

"That type of building would be perfect for warehousing," he said.

Matey supports setting aside money as incentives for economic development, as the commission has done for the past two years.

Construction Impact Fees

The one-time construction fee for building in Pasco recently doubled. Matey said the county should consider giving builders a break on the fees to boost the economy.

"I believe in small government," he said. "Maybe there could be a sliding scale. ... The impact fee will go back to the homeowner."

Cost-Cutting

In a preliminary review of the county budget, Matey said he would examine why the county pays more for some computers than others.

Matey said he would look into the use of county-issued vehicles, computers and cell phones, and would pay for his own computer and cell phone if elected.

"If I go to Tallahassee with my wife, I'll pay her way," he said. "I want to look at all and any waste. Do we have departments that are overlapping?"

The commission depleted its travel budget last year and does not reimburse family member expenses.

Matey also said he would suggest county employees carpool to work and prohibit take-home vehicles for most employees.

"Within the sheriff's department, I can see a deputy taking a vehicle home," Matey said. "But a secretary, I don't see a need to run into the office and type something."

AT A GLANCE

NAME: Matt Matey

AGE: 54

EDUCATION: 1972 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point

FAMILY: Married, two children, two stepchildren

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Served in the U.S. Army for nine years, worked in quality control and as an electrician. Laid off in June after 10 years in the building industry

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

WEB SITE:

www.mattforpasco.com

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