news-record.com

Eyes red and voice raspy, District 3 City Councilman Zack Matheny assured us this definitely was not H1N1 during an interview last week with the News & Record.

Nor was his condition a result of the wear and tear of a tumultuous first term on the council, though it would have been understandable if it was.

At 36 easily the youngest sitting council member, Matheny had charted his path into office carefully, studying the issues and gaining a seat on the Zoning Commission as preparation. But little could anyone have expected a perfect storm of so many tough issues during his rookie term: A fractious council. A fragile economy. The ouster of a city manager. What a way to break in.

That said, he has done a creditable job. He held separate meetings to address the debate over the proposed downtown design guide and crime and crowd control as center-city nightlife attracts greater numbers. Last month, he pushed tougher ordinances to address noise and panhandling downtown.

Monday night he appeared at a neighborhood meeting in New Irving Park in response to a recent wave of burglaries.

Matheny also recently convened a neighborhood meeting in the Lake Jeanette community to discuss concerns about the impact of the Urban Loop.

Finally, his vote helped seal the fate of City Manager Mitch Johnson, who was forced to retire. Some question that move, but Matheny probably was right when he said the city could not have moved on without such a change.

His challenger, George Hartzman, 42, is a financial adviser who makes a forceful case for more fiscal prudence on the council. He also advocates tougher campaign finance rules that would prevent candidates from taking funds from entities that do business with the city.

Hartzman makes some valid points, but Matheny has done a solid job. Despite some nicks and bruises along the way, he has grown into the job.

He has been nothing if not accessible. And he has been responsive to his constituents' needs.