This is one of those instances of the media being biased, that the Mayor talked about during his campaign last year. His appointees are being called unqualified by the press. In spite of all of them having education out the ying-yang. Now one of the requirements is "you must also graduate at the top of your class." If they have that, they want to say they have no prior related work experience. Now I see WMC-TV is checking the background of the mayor's appointees. But why hasn't anyone checked and reported the background of the man running for one of the most important offices in this election? The County Trustees position.I would like to know more about Paul Mattila than the fact that he has worked in the trustees office for twelve years, and he is supposedly a lifelong Democrat. His predecessor (Bob Patterson) was a Republican. Who surrounded himself with other Republicans. The citizens of Shelby county have been pleased with his handling of the office for five consecutive terms. Just because Mattila worked under his administration, doesn't mean he shares his style of politics. I have gone to his website and it didn't help either. This guy has one commercial for the black radio stations and another for the whites. His entry into the black community is suspect. I think he's an undercover Republican. That switched over just to get elected. Nothing wrong with being Conservative. I just don't like trickery. Even though I'm only one vote. That's one he won't be getting. .
Mattila picked as interim trustee
ReplyDeleteDemocrat replaces Bob Patterson, who died Jan. 18
By Alex Doniach (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Paul Mattila was elected as interim trustee by the Shelby County Commission on Monday.
Mattila, 64, is a Democrat and the trustee's legislative assistant. He joined the trustee's office in 1997.
He replaces the late Bob Patterson, a Republican who served as the county's chief banker and tax collector for five successive terms beginning in 1990. He died Jan. 18 after a heart attack.
Mattila, who won the votes of the seven Democrats on the commission, called the victory "bittersweet."
"The only thing that would have made this better is if he (Patterson) were standing here next to me," he said. "That's the way we had planned for it to happen."
Mattila beat out three other candidates for the spot, including current acting interim trustee Debra Gates, 53, a Republican who has worked in the trustee's office since 1990 and as Patterson's chief administrative officer since 1999; John Wilkerson, 83, a Republican and retired CPA; and Derrick Bennett, 41, a Republican and accountant for the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department.
Gates received votes from Republican Commissioners Wyatt Bunker, Mike Ritz, Mike Carpenter and David Lillard.
Wilkerson received one vote from Republican Commissioner George Flinn.
Harvey, a Democrat, said Gates had more experience related to numbers and the "financial world," but he voted for Mattila because of his people skills.
"Paul is very influential in working well with the legislative body," Harvey said. "He understands how to get things done."
Mattila is a Massachusetts native who joined the Navy before moving to the Memphis area in 1965. He lives in Millington.
Mattila will serve until the countywide election Aug. 7. The deadline to qualify for the August election is April 3 at noon.
In lieu of a primary election, Tennessee Election Coordinator Brook Thompson said the Shelby County Democratic and Republican parties will be responsible for nominating candidates.
Mattila said he intends to run in the August election.
"I made a commitment to Bob Patterson that I would do everything humanly possible to keep this team together and move it forward," Mattila said. "I intend to deliver that commitment."
Trustee hopefuls stress importance of ongoing race
ReplyDeletePosition is equivalent to county chief financial officer, say Butler and Mattila
By Alex Doniach (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Shelby County trustee may not be the sexiest job in local politics, but according to candidates vying for the spot, it deserves attention from voters.
"It's one of the most important jobs in county government," said Democratic candidate and acting trustee Paul Mattila.
Added Republican challenger Ray Butler: "The trustee is the county's chief financial officer. This is more than an administrative job."
With annual tax receipts of more than $700 million, the trustee's office collects the county's property, personalty and other taxes, such as utility and transportation taxes. The trustee, who earns $106,814 annually over a four-year term, also serves as the county's chief banker, investing the taxes he collects and earning interest income for the county.
For the first time in almost two decades, the position is up for grabs in the Aug. 7 election, following the sudden death in January of longtime trustee Bob Patterson, a Republican. Early voting continues today through Saturday at satellite locations throughout Shelby County.
Patterson, who had served as trustee since 1990, was only halfway through his fifth term when he died of a heart attack. In lieu of a primary race, the county's Democratic and Republican parties selected their nominees -- both of whom had close ties to Patterson.
The other candidates -- M. LaTroy Williams, David Vinciarelli and Tammy Warren -- got on the ballot by registering as independents. None responded to requests for an interview.
Butler, 57, says he's a good candidate for the job because of his background in finance and experience in local politics. A Memphis native, Butler is a certified public accountant with 35 years of financial experience, including eight years as a chief financial officer.
"I understand accounting functions and internal controls to keep your dollars safe," Butler said. "I think that it's important that the voters of Shelby County have somebody who is qualified and educated to run the bank."
He's also a longtime friend and former campaign treasurer for Patterson, who he was close to for almost 40 years after meeting through the local Republican party.
But the close connection caught him heat earlier this month when, as Patterson's treasurer, he accepted the $2,820.60 left in Patterson's campaign fund.
Mattila, the 64-year-old Democratic nominee, says he's a good candidate for the job because of his political connections and experience in the trustee's office, where he's worked since 1997. Most recently he served as Patterson's legislative assistant, helping him lobby state and local elected officials.
A Massachusetts native and Navy veteran, Mattila followed family to Memphis and worked for International Harvester for 21 years. He served as the elected union official for the United Auto Workers, an experience he said honed his bargaining and people skills.
He was appointed by the Democratic-controlled Shelby County Commission in February to fill Patterson's job on an interim basis.
Mattila has no formal training in finance, but says he knows the inner workings of the trustee's office, his employees and local government.
"Collections are up. Everything is in place. The safety of the money is well guarded," he said. "It's working too good for the people of Shelby County."
Yet Butler says he emphasizes to voters that they should be wary of a candidate for county CFO, handling a cash flow of "more than $5 billion," who doesn't have a formal training in finance.
"This is big stuff," Butler said.
Mattila has compiled a long list of endorsements, among them Butler's ex-wife, Linda Butler, an employee in the trustee's office, and County Mayor A C Wharton, who hosted a fundraiser for Mattila and Assessor candidate Cheyenne Johnson at Owen Brennan's Restaurant earlier this week.
And from June to April, Mattila had raised more campaign funds than Butler, generating $20,370.11 in contributions compared to Butler's $6,975.60, according to financial disclosure statements.
-- Alex Doniach: 529-5231>
Republican
Ray Butler
Age: 57
Occupation: Self-employed CPA
Education: B.A. in political science and accounting, Memphis State University
Most important issue: That someone be elected to the trustee's office who is qualified.
Family: Divorced, no children
Political experience: Longtime member of the Shelby County Republican party. Never run for public office.
Democrat
Paul Mattila
Age: 64
Occupation: Shelby County Trustee
Education: High school diploma
Most important issue: Efficient, fair and equitable collection of taxes
Family: Married, four children
Political experience: Longtime Democrat. Never run for public office.
Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI learned some new facts myself. I was suspicious of some things, but I didn't know for sure. The newspaper articles posted enlightened me also. It reinforces my vote.
ReplyDeleteToo bad Thud didn't hold him to the same standard he tried to hold Tony Todde. Even though Tony is a fake.
ReplyDeleteThad only holds those accountable who dont bow to his blackmail and threats.
ReplyDeleteWhen people won't do his show he thinks they are afraid of him. He doesnt think that maybe he's just a big joke and not worth there time not to mentioed he's extremely biased.
Most that do are becasue they are pandering to the black vote and are doing it for there own self serving ways.
I don't agree with M. Latroy Williams plan for the elderly not paying property taxes.
ReplyDeleteIn politics it's all abotu the lesser of evils. Latroy with his money problems deffintely shouldn't even be allowed to be on the ballot
ReplyDeleteWith the poor turnout so far, it plays to the advantage of Republican Ray Butler.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing changes on election day. I see the same thing that happened with the District 1 council seat.Bill Morrison didn't campaign in the Democratic areas. He relied on getting the Conservative vote.
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