Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each of the following questions to 200 words or less.
NAME: John Matta
AGE: 64
OCCUPATION: Advancement Director for Manhattan Catholic Schools
INCUMBENT?: Yes
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Present: Manhattan, KS City Commissioner/Former Mayor, Riley County Police Department Law Board Chairman, Manhattan Housing Authority Board Commissioner, Workforce Housing Steering Committee Member, Downtown Plan Steering Committee Member, Flint Hills Wellness Coalition Housing Workgroup Member, Sunset Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Trust Board Member, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Member, KSU Graduate Studies Advisory Council for the College of Business, KSU Adjunct Professor, College of Business, FAIR State of Kansas Coordinator & Flint Hills Chapter Leader - Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), Chairman Yes for Liberty, Constitution Bee - Over $50K in scholarships awarded to Kansas High Schoolers over the past 10 years, Chairmen Our Manhattan - Local political action committee, Precinct Committeeman.
Past: Manhattan Public Library Board of Trustees Member, March of Dimes, March for Babies 2013 Honorary Chairman, Junction City Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Junction City Rotary Club Member, BSA (Boy Scouts of America) Coronado Council Board Member
-Why have you decided to run for a position on the City Commission? If you are an incumbent, why did you decide to run for re-election?
I am running for city commission to give back to my community and help Manhattan prosper. My family and I moved here in 1998 and it has been a great place to live and raise a family. I want that atmosphere to continue, and for Manhattan to become one of the premier communities of the Midwest. I am running for reelection because there are programs, like workforce housing, which I have invested a lot of time on, but I need more time to really make progress.
-What experience/background do you have that would make you a good city commissioner? If you are an incumbent, what experience/background has made you a good city commissioner?
From an effectiveness standpoint, I believe my extensive business experience running operations with budgets and staff larger than the city gives me a perspective that not many candidates have. I am not intimidated by the numbers or the complexity. Also, I know that quality can be improved at the same time efficiencies are gained. Furthermore, having been the GM of one of the largest private employers (Foot Locker) in the region for over 20 years (with staff levels over 1,000 at times), I know about the recruiting difficulties, which is one of the biggest challenges we face locally. Lastly my experience of being a commissioner and former mayor gives me the political experience base to be an effective commissioner.
-What are the top three issues you believe the city will face during your term, if elected/re-elected?
The top three issues are keeping Manhattan affordable, economic development (more jobs and people), as well as housing supply. I have a strong tax record on cutting the mill levy so that home appreciation does not lead to double digit tax increases. I have the business acumen to evaluate development proposals and work with companies regarding investments in the community.
Regarding housing, there are several state and federal housing programs that Manhattan needs to take advantage of. One of the obstacles to taking advantage of these is that most will take zoning changes that neighborhoods may be resistant to. Part of my plan is to use some of the workforce housing sales tax funding to make improvements in those neighborhoods to help “sell” the programs. My hope is to create some neighborhood revitalization success stories that we can build on.
There are also some areas such as the downtown area in particular which can grow vertically to provide the density, we need given the land shortage we have in the city. Housing is a focus for me and why I positioned myself on the following committees: Manhattan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Beyond Tomorrow Downtown Plan Steering Committee, Workforce Housing Steering Committee, and Flint Hills Wellness Coalition Housing Workgroup.
-What is the number one issue you plan to tackle, if elected/re-elected?
The issue is driving economic growth. We need to make making Manhattan business friendly, business competitive, and a quality of life stand out community.
Business friendly is keeping regulation un-burdensome and as simple to follow as possible, providing exceptional customer care regarding development services, and keeping city imposed developmental costs affordable. This needs to be done not only for outside businesses but for our local businesses and entrepreneurs as well.
Being business competitive has to do with the understanding that we are competing with other communities when it comes to recruiting businesses to our area and in keeping our local business in our region. This means from time to time we need to be willing to use incentives including forgivable loans, infrastructure improvements, industrial revenue bonds, tax abatements and other tools. This assistance must be tied to strict measurable deliverables that must be achieved and the candidates fully vetted.
Unlike a decade ago companies consider quality of life a key component of their business location decision. The city needs to balance the costs of living issue with that of expected amenities such as recreation, green space, top tier schools, entertainment, dining, and retail. Also, the city needs to foster a community environment that is welcoming and family friendly. To do this the city must drive sales tax initiatives (tourism, regional shopping, and entertainment etc.) as well as foster profit and nonprofit groups to provide amenities that are not a burden to taxpayers.
-Is there something you would like to see change about any city ordinance or program?
Now that the city is contracting out the Animal Shelter Operations, I’d like to see RCPD take over the animal control operations. RCPD already dispatches the Animal Control Officers, and the two groups work closely together. There are other cites that have animal control officers as part of their police operations. There are synergies and efficiencies that can be gained.