Four-team Petersburg treasurer faces challenge

Four-term Petersburg Treasurer Carole S. Matthews is being challenged by a political newcomer in next month's Democratic primary.

Businessman Kevin A. Brown, 46, who has 20 years' experience in commercial finance, promises better customer service, efficiency and transparency at the Treasurer's Office.

Matthews has deep roots in the city, having lived there for 25 years. Brown moved to Petersburg four years ago and is part of an active group of new residents seeking changes in city government.

Brown and his wife, Gloria, are active in city government public meetings. Gloria Brown is president of the Walnut Hill Elementary School PTA. They have invested in real estate property in the city and owned a business in Petersburg from 2005 to 2006.

Last month, Brown resigned as commercial relationship manager at SunTrust Banks Inc. in Richmond to run for the treasurer's job.

While Brown is running on the theme of bringing change to the city, Matthews' campaign highlights her experience.

Matthews, 69, said her office has maintained high standards, reports reconciled balances of all city bank accounts to the City Council each month and said neither the state nor city auditors have reported any finding of material financial weakness under her direction.

Brown said he would bring his experience in corporate America to the office to improve customer service, particularly in the area of expanding services online. Currently, residents can make payments for some bills online.

"I have the education, knowledge and compassion to take care of the money residents send to the Treasurer's Office," Brown said.

Matthews, a widow and mother of four adult children, is also active in some clubs in the city, including the Petersburg Breakfast Rotary Club, and she moderates the Petersburg Freecycle.org Web site.

She was first elected to the office in November 1993.

"There is still much work to be done. Many exciting challenges lie ahead with the anticipated growth coming from Fort Lee," Matthews said in an e-mail. "I hope the citizens will give me their vote . . . so that I will be allowed to continue to serve them."

The primary is June 9. For information about voter registration and polling places, contact the Petersburg Registrar's Office at (804) 733-2380.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .