Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011

For Matthews, Garner is still home

Every other Sunday in a feature called "Off Duty," the Garner-Cleveland Record asks community leaders about their off-duty interests - what they're reading, what they're listening to, what they're watching. This week, we chat with Phil Matthews, a Wake County commissioner who represents Garner.

Phil Matthews served eight years on Garner's governing board, where he helped make decisions about the town's growth and economic development.

When he lost his board seat in 2007, the Garner resident took a few years off from politics. Matthews, 62, had plenty to keep busy - he owns Matthews Sight & Sound, a production company for festivals and special events.

But Matthews, a Republican, said some local residents encouraged him to run for the Wake County Board of Commissioners. He won the District 2 seat last year, ousting Democrat Lindy Brown and helping Republicans gain a 4-3 majority on the board.

He was named vice chairman of the board right away, a title he retained earlier this month.

Serving on a county-wide board is different from being on Garner's governing board, Matthews said. The budget is much bigger, the county has a lot more employees, and Matthews has many more constituents to answer to.

He said he's enjoyed learning more about Wake beyond Garner's borders.

"Every community has its own uniqueness about it throughout the county," Matthews said.

Even so, Garner is home. Matthews said people joke about "Scottymania" everywhere he goes. Garner High School senior Scotty McCreery won "American Idol" last May.

And Garner residents have shown they can come together, Matthews said. They rallied to keep the library open when the county threatened to close it to save money. Also, they fought against a proposal that called for building a freeway through town.

"If you take on Garner, you're going to take on the whole town," Matthews said. "And that's a good thing."

Matthews' colleagues on the Board of Commissioners have aspirations for higher political offices. Paul Coble, the commissioners' chairman, is running for Congress. Tony Gurley is running for lieutenant governor.

Matthews said he hasn't ruled out the idea of running for a statewide office, although he doesn't have any immediate plans.

"Maybe down the road we'll look at that," Matthews said.

His wife, Becky, ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Garner Town Council this fall. Matthews said although his wife fell short of victory, residents should expect to see her name on the town ballot again.

"That's my prediction, anyway," Matthews said.

What music have you been listening to lately? Lots of beach music, jazz and oldies.

What book are you reading? "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly. I am a big history buff.

What are your favorite television shows? The Military Channel, "NCIS" and Fox News.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be? Jesus, Ronald Regan and Billy Graham.

Describe a perfect day . Wake up healthy, meet people and talk, have great food, and do something good!

What is the most fascinating place you've been? Vietnam.

What do you like most about Garner? How we always hang together on issues.

What do you like least about Garner? Nothing!

What is something that people might be surprised to know about you? I am a singer and play bass guitar.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Take what I have learned in life and do something good with it.

What is your most embarrassing moment? I had two different shoes on at a public appearance.

What is the one food you can't resist? Collards and corn bread.