DECEMBER — 2021
Volume 3 — Issue 11
In this issue...
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Hometown Holidays Event Schedule Newly elected Board of Commissioners will be sworn in on December 13
Commissioners Miller and Bland depart the Town Board.
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Matthews Messenger | DECEMBER 2021
MANAGER’S MESSAGE The holiday season is upon us and we have plenty of We want to thank events to help you celebrate Commissioners Jeff Miller this special time of year. and Dave Bland for their service to Matthews. Each New this year, the Town is has dedicated years to hosting a Jingle Jam concert help make Matthews on Friday, December 3 the wonderful place it is. beginning at 7pm at 122 We are grateful for their Matthews Station Street (next contributions. Read more to PNC bank). The band about their work on the U-Phonik will be preforming. Board on page 5. On Saturday is the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting Celebration at the Town Green. Visit page 3 for more details on these and other special events.
Check out the calendar on page 6 for Matthews’ events and Board of Commissioners meetings so you can stay involved and engaged in all that Matthews has to offer. We hope you have a great We welcome a new Board of month of December, and Commissioners this month. A a happy and safe holiday swearing-in ceremony will be season. held on Monday, December 13. Two new Commissioners, Mark Tofano and Gina Hoover, will be joining the Board. Get to know Mark and Gina on page 4.
Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV
BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV
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ave you heard about the Adopt-A-Drain program? This is a new volunteer program brought to you by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and the Town of Matthews. All storm drains lead to our waterways, so anything that enters them has the potential to become stormwater pollution. There are thousands of storm drains all over our town, so we need the help of our residents to ensure only rain water goes into them. By participating in this program, you are promising to check your drain once a month and before major rain events to make sure the drain is free of debris and pollution. Visit StormWater.CharMeck.org and look under the “Volunteer” tab for more information.
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Matthews Messenger | decemBER 2021
The Town of Matthews is offering a variety of events for the entire family to enjoy this holiday season. The Town is partnering with additional community organizations to make the following events possible:
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Matthews Messenger | DECEMBER 2021
W E L C O M E N EW BOA RD O F C O M M ISSIO N ERS Newly elected Board members Mark Tofano and Gina Hoover will be sworn into office on Monday, December 13. Mayor John Higdon and Commissioners Renee Garner, Ken McCool, John Urban and Larry Whitley will be sworn in for another term.
MAYOR JOHN HIGDON
COMMISSIONER RENEE GARNER
COMMISSIONER KEN MCCOOL
COMMISSIONER JOHN URBAN
COMMISSIONER LARRY WHITLEY
A resident of Matthews since 2012, Mark has been active in community affairs and community volunteer work since his arrival in Matthews. As Commander of the Hooks-Orr American Legion Post 235 of Matthews, Mark has been instrumental in designing and raising funds through Post 235 to finance enhancements to the veteran memorial area within Stumptown Park. This area is now established as the Matthews Veterans Memorial Park, the first such park in the history of Matthews.
COMMISSIONER-ELECT MARK TOFANO
Mark is a musician and a singer with Opera Carolina and eager to bring diversity in music to events in Matthews. As a successful businessman, entrepreneur and inventor, Mark is intent on working to attract corporate businesses to Matthews to provide good paying jobs for the community. As a father and grandfather, Mark understands the desires and needs of citizens of all ages.
Gina is a Matthews native whose family has been here for generations. Gina has been married to her high school sweetheart Ken for thirty-seven years. She is the proud mom of a son, Cameron, and daughter-in-law, Ciara, as well as two granddaughters Isadora and Ellanora. Gina is an alumna of Central Piedmont Community College and part owner of a food distribution business. In her spare time, Gina enjoys photography, sailing, and target shooting. Gina describes herself as a research person who enjoys digging deep into issues and learning the facts. Gina is an advocate for open and honest government. Gina says, “To ensure the quality of life we all currently enjoy there must be smart planning and fiscal responsibility to create a better, stronger and more prosperous town.” 4
COMMISSIONER-ELECT GINA HOOVER
Matthews Messenger | decemBER 2021
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO MATTHEWS! As the new Board of Commissioners takes office later this month, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the members of the Board whose terms are ending. We appreciate the time, dedication, and work completed by Commissioners Jeff Miller and Dave Bland to help make Matthews the great town that it is today. Matthews has changed quite a bit since Jeff Miller began serving on the Board of Commissioners 14 years ago. Some of those changes are what Jeff is most proud of in his role as Commissioner. Those include: the creation of the Four Mile Creek Greenway, the widening of S. Trade Street, and the development of the North End district. Jeff is also proud to have served on the Board that helped bring the Sportsplex to Matthews. “Matthews has become a popular destination,” said Jeff. “The vibrancy of our Town for young people, older residents, and local business owners is significant.” Jeff served on the Board under four Mayors: Lee Myers, Jim Taylor, Paul Bailey and John Higdon.
COMMISSIONER JEFF MILLER
The biggest challenge Jeff faced as a Commissioner was the COVID-19 pandemic. As his term comes to an end, Jeff will spend his time continuing to manage his business, Miller Time Property Management.
Dave Bland is stepping away from the Board after serving his fifth term as a Matthews Town Commissioner. He previously served four terms from 1983-1993 before returning in 2019. Dave is one of the three founding partners of the Matthews law firm of Weaver Bennett & Bland P.A. Dave has been engaged in an active civil trial practice for over 40 years. Over the years, he has been active in many local community organizations including MARA, the Charlotte Soccer Club (the Charlotte Soccer Academy), The Matthews Help Center, Matthews Rotary Club, Matthews Kiwanis Club, Eastern Mecklenburg Jaycees, The Matthews Lions Club, etc.
COMMISSIONER DAVE BLAND
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Matthews Messenger | DECEMBER 2021
December 2021 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us! 7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee remote meeting
6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night 7:00 PM jingle jam
3:00 PM Downtown holiday stroll 5:00 PM Tree lighting
6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com. mtg 7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting
7:00 PM Appearance/ Tree Committee Meeting
7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting
7:00 PM Planning Board Meeting 7:00 PM cultural diversity mtg
7:00 PM kwanzaa celebration
10:00 AM Family Friendly Noon Year’s Eve Party
For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners
Have any questions about the community? Contact us!
Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov
Commissioner Jeff Miller jmiller@matthewsnc.gov
TOWN HALL
Mayor Pro Tem Renee Garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov
Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov
PHONE
Commissioner Dave Bland dbland@matthewsnc.gov
Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov
Commissioner Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov
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232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB
www.matthewsnc.gov