State Rep. Jimmy Matlock spoke to the Madisonville Kiwanis Club Tuesday, covering topics ranging from military service to the need for less government.

State Rep. Mike Bell had also been scheduled to speak, but cancelled so he could spend more time with his son before he goes overseas.

“Mike’s son has joined the Marines,” Matlock said, “and he obviously wants to enjoy his company before he leaves. And I can understand that. It’s an honor to serve and we’re all very proud of anyone who does.”

Matlock said he was very impressed by the flags surrounding the Courthouse and City Hall, saying Madisonville and Monroe County are what the rest of the country wants to be.

“The sight of those flags are more inspiring than anything you see on the TV news,” he said. “There is a lot of trouble in the world, but I truly believe most people are like the ones here. You are the heartbeat of our state and nation.”

Matlock said he has long been a believer that the less government we have, the better off we are, but he has softened some in that attitude.

“There is an element in our community and state that need us (the government),” he said. “But I’ve learned there are people who do need a hand up, not a hand out, and we need to be there for them.

“But there are things the government is doing that can probably be done by private business,” he continued. “And I think if business can do it, the government needs to get out of it.”

Matlock said he supported the recent workplace smoke ban, but he wasn’t too sure about the ban in such places as restaurants.

“In a work place,” he said, “you really don’t have much choice, so it’s probably good that smoking doesn’t take place around those who don’t smoke. But I do believe that business owners should be able to decide whether or not they want to allow smoking. You can always go to another restaurant.”

He also spoke on the silliness of government, referring to a law that says a business with three or more employees must have a public bathroom.

“That’s government going too far,” he said. “A place with three employees might only have one bathroom and that could be where they keep their coats and purses and other personal items. And who would be the policeman in charge of making sure this rule is followed?”

Matlock said in a recent survey he had conducted, illegal immigration was the number one concern in Monroe County, along with DUI laws.

“I was disappointed the legislature didn’t toughen the DUI laws in its last session,” Matlock said. “I thought something would be done.”

Matlock also said he didn’t believe the tax-free weekend would reappear any time soon after the upcoming one in August.

Matlock serves in the 21^st district, which included Monroe and Loudon counties.

michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat.com | 442-4575.