Page 6 - East County Leader - March 2014

SPOTLIGHT

east county leader

Why I became a ireighter, a legislator. tapped as Gresham’s interim ire chief

It’s powerful when someone sees some- and facing re-election. Scheduling his
thing we don’t see in ourselves. I try to time during legislative sessions was

pay that forward.”
workable as a line ireighter, he said, but

His irst year at Camp Rosenbaum, the opportunity to serve at the pinnacle
Matthews found himself surrounded position for his profession, and regain

by guard members and other volun- time with family, made the decision a
teers with monikers like Smokey, Big no-brainer. He announced he would not

Dog, Stinky and Mad Hatter. He knew seek re-election in early March.
he needed a traditional camp name, so “You wouldn’t ind me in my year-

to identify himself, he got creative. He book as most likely to be a politician,” he
mounted sound equipment to a latbed said. “hat was never my interest. I spent

trailer, drove through camp blasting mu- six years serving in a capacity I never
sic at regular intervals, accompanied by dreamed of, but I’m looking forward to

go-go dancers whose day jobs were spent getting back to life.”
in National Guard uniforms.
Family life is “critical” to Matthews,

“We called it the ‘Binford 2,000,’” who credits his wife, Suzette, with un-
Matthews said, laughing. “We just de- wavering support for whatever passion

livered something the kids hadn’t seen he pursues.
before. But that was the beginning of the “I’m nothing without my family,” he Matthews is no stranger to being front man for the fire department. He was hired
as public information officer in September 1997 and went on to complete the
Boogie Man.”
said, adding his public obligations the
For many years, the Boogie Man past few years kept him away from key fire academy to better understand the work of fire personnel. Well respected
within the department, Matthews was named Fire Employee of the Year in 2005
and his entourage (primarily other ire- moments in the lives of his daughters,
ighters) dragged the Binford 2,000 into ages 13, 10 and 8. He recognizes his place and Firefighter of the Year in 2008. OUTLOOK PHOTO: JIM CLARK

downtown Gresham as entertainment in the family hierarchy but relishes the
for community events such as the annual opportunity now to support them.
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R
T
bed races each summer. But for Mat- “I stood on (East Burnside Road) a
thews, the most memorable, yet solemn, couple weeks ago with a sign that said

occasion for the latbed was the city’s ‘Last Chance” for Girl Scout cookies,’”
tribute to the victims of the terrorist at- he said, laughing. “We sold about 120

tacks in New York City shortly ater Sept. boxes, so I think it had something to do
11, 2001.
with the sign. But I know I’m outnum-

“hat will always be an amazing mo- bered at home. It’s 4-1; 5-1 if you count
ment for me,” Matthews said. “To see all my bulldog. I have to ind the thrill of

those people, to present the colors and to victory outside the house because I sufer
show our respect. I will always remem- the agony of defeat at home.”

ber that.”
Downsizing his responsibilities has
In 2008, Matthews took his service aforded Matthews the opportunity to re-

to the city and its residents to the next focus his attention on what’s nearest and
level, when he was elected to the Oregon dearest to his heart — his family and his 2444 East Powell Blvd.

House of Representatives in Salem. For neighbors. No doubt the city will be glad
the past six years, he has been a strong to welcome him home.
Gresham, OR 97080

advocate for local veterans, as chairman “I love this town and all it’s about,”
of the Veterans Services and Emergency he said. “he Spirit of Christmas, the

Preparedness Committee, as well as a Teddy Bear Parade — that’s the spirit
member of the Business and Labor Com- of Gresham, and it’s just really special. I Across the parking lot from Chang’s
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mittee. Last year, along with fellow East want to look back and say I made a dif- Mongolian Grill and nex
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County legislative leaders, he co-spon- ference with the opportunities I had. I 6.E
Cascade Athletic Club
410
sored a concurrent House resolution to know that sounds clich́ and corny, but 43
honor local World War II veteran Neil it’s just how I am. When you’re passion- Hours: 6am - Midnight • 7 Days A Week

Swarthout for his service.
ate about something, you do what needs 2
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But in November, Matthews found to be done.”
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himself with a dilemma. He was newly

6
march 2014