Et cetera : We just had to ask....Benton County Conservation Director Matthew Purdy

Matthew Purdy says his favorite fast-food sandwich was cooked on a garbage can lid.

The Benton County Conservation Director, an Oelwein native who most recently worked as a park ranger in Florida, thinks Vinton Today needs to change its "favorite college" question and also loves aesthetics. Like many of the people who have answered our "We just had to ask" questions, he also hates reality TV. He also said that the guy with the most famous magazine cover face should run for President.

Read below to find out more about Matt, who is welcoming volunteers to help at the Outdoor Classroom of the Nature Center, located just west of Rodgers of Vinton, on Saturday, Sept. 8, beginning at 8 a.m.

Q. Is there anything that your family asks you not to cook, ever again? 

A. Fondue is on the don’t cook list. We now call it “fondon’t” in our house. I am still sad about my fondue outcome.

Q. Does it matter in your house which way the toilet paper roll goes?

A. It depends who is replacing the roll.

Q. Tell us about your favorite chair:

A. Ugly pastel colored thing, but it was handed down from Wendy’s grandparents.  It is very short, padded and it of course it is a rocking chair for the baby.

Q. Funniest memory as a parent:

A. Watching my 1 year old daughter sign for more food, when she thinks your ignoring her. She just gets more fast and aggressive with her hand gestures. She literally starts yelling at you in sign language. It’s really cute and funny.

Q. Best fast food sandwich ever?

A. Does street food count? I once had an awesome sandwich cooked on a trash can lid in Puebla, Mexico. Ham, cheese, pineapple, and guacamole.  Sounds terrible, but it’s was so good.

Q. What was your first job?

A. I would say working on a farm, but that sounds too glamorous.  I scooped manure at a livestock farm in high school.   I actually had to jump in the rock quarry on the way home to get the stink off, or my mother would not wash the clothes.  I didn’t blame her.

Q. If you were to get a traffic citation it would most likely be for….

A. Running the “No turn on Red” sign in Vinton on the corner of 4th and 218. Why is the sign there?

Q. One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit?

A. Machu Picchu.  

Q. First pet you remember?

A. Cockatiel (mom’s bird).

Q. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?

A….that is tough….. Too many to pick just one.

Q. Tell us about a favorite Christmas present you have received:

A. My first bike or my first snowboard.

Q. Strangest thing you did at work that was not part of your official job description?

A. The question is: What’s strange?

Q. What is your favorite big word?

A. Aesthetics – Since it is really encompasses my life’s philosophy. Trying to appreciate what is beautiful, and helping to improve things that could be enhanced.

Q. Tell us about one of your pet peeves?

A. People that lack pride in their job.  Every job is important, even if your scooping manure. 

Q. What book or author you have not read, but should?

A. I have started it twice, and really want to finish the last few chapters. “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” By Robert M. Pirsig.  Also, due to the fact, I have just announced this to the public, it will be on my serious to do list. 

Q. What happens to the missing socks in the laundry?

A. I would guess it has to do with a couple of mutts that live in our house. 

Q. Iowa or Iowa State (or other) ?

A. Go Panthers!!!  And furthermore I am insulted by the question. ;)

Q. Was there something your parents said to you, over and over, that you, would growing up, said to yourself, "I will never say that to my kids?"

A. Hmm, I must have repressed that memory. 

Q. Worst TV show ever?

A. Reality TV of any kind.

Q. Best TV show ever?

A. Funny Sci-fi is great.  

Q. What is your dream car?

A. 1969 Mustang (My parents had one, when I was a kid.)

Q. Who should run for President, but hasn't?

A.  Alfred E. Neuman seems logical. 

Q. Tell us your favorite joke

A. Politics… LOL  

Q. Fill in the blank: In a perfect winter, it would snow…..  So much…that I would have to build a dog sled and teach my dogs to mush. 

Q. Name your favorite:

Comic strip:Calvin and Hobbes

Candy bar:Salted Nut Roll

Ice cream:Birthday Cake Remix – Thank you Coldstone Creamery

Color:One color…. Too Boring.

Sports team:UNI– Panthers

Actor/actress: I want to go camping with Survivorman / Les Stroud.  

Song:Joe Walsh – Life’s Been Good

Poem:Dr. Seuss “The Lorax”

Planet:Earth, I like it here. 

Photograph of yourself: Surfing off the Oregon Coast with my wife.

Our serious question:

Q. What are the most significant issues facing the Benton County Conservation Department this year?

A.We have three main concerns this year with our park system: 

1. Conducting a complete evaluation of our policies, amenities, staff and services provided to the patrons of Benton County.

2. Development and fund raising for our nature center and outdoor classroom area. We have hundreds of kids from the local school systems to our parks each year.  With the addition of our nature center and the outdoor classroom space, teachers will have the ability to maximize the learning potential for their students.  Teachers only have the ability to spend a few days each year with their students outside, which makes the time very important. 

3. Finally and most importantly, the creation of a 5-year plan for the revitalization of all Benton County park services.  The 5-year plan will prioritize which fiscal years allow for growth or maintenance, and how it relates to the park system as a whole. We have a lot of work ahead of us.    

And finally :

Q. Is there anything you wish we would have asked you?

A: What is your favorite quote?   "I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion." - Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound

Finally, Matt concludes with a final message to Benton County residents:

I am very excited to be in Vinton and have the opportunity to be a part of your community.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  You can reach me at: 319-472-4942 or mpurdy@bentoncountyparks.com