Issuu

MARCH — 2020

Volume 2 — Issue 3

TORNADO RECAP Pg. 5

2 3 4 5

In this issue...

Keep These Messages

Commissioner Ken McCool appointed to vacant Town Board position

Engage and Connect: Sign up for CharMeck Alerts to receive local and emergency news alerts at http://charmeckalerts.org/. (Read more on page 5)

On Your Mind

Join us in congratulating the 2019 Matthews Employees of the Year View three eggs-citing Easter events for families to participate in!

MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | March 2020

MANAGER’S MESSAGE February was a strong reminder of how lucky we are as a Town to have the staff, emergency personnel, residents, and business owners that we do in Matthews. Our Town was impacted by severe storms and a strong tornado, but it wasn’t stronger than the combined strength, dedication, and care of our community. We cannot thank our Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments enough for their tireless work to help our community recover as quickly and smoothly as possible. To further recognize our exemplary employees, the Town of Matthews presented our annual Employees of the Year Awards in February. The Town Board celebrated Public Works Supervisor Bobby Hoxit and Officer Marlon Cockerham of the Matthews

Police Department for the positive attitude, hard work, and teamwork they bring to their roles every single day. You can read more about this recognition on page 3. With the worst of the weather hopefully behind us, there is so much to look forward to in the Town of Matthews this Spring. The Matthews Easter EGGstravaganza is in March and April of every year and there are several events in the EGGstravaganza series for the whole family to enjoy. Learn more about these eggs-cellent events on page 4. We look forward to seeing Matthews families and visitors out and about this Spring!

Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

IMPORTANT COMMISSIONER UPDATES On Thursday, February 20th, Town of Matthews Commissioner Barbara Dement announced her resignation from the Board of Commissioners. She was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2017 and re-elected for a second term in 2019. “My professional responsibilities no longer make it possible for me to fulfill the duties of this position, therefore, although difficult, I am doing what is right and honorable by stepping down as Commissioner for the Town of Matthews effective immediately,” said Barbara. On Monday, February 24th, the Town Board voted to appoint Ken McCool to the Board of Commissioners position. Ken was sworn into office that night. His term will run through December 2021. Ken ran in the 2019 Board of Commissioners election. As the seventh-place finisher, he was the next highest vote getter in the November race. Ken said, “I’m excited to serve the Town of Matthews and to work towards building a brighter future for generations to come. I’m also looking forward to working collaboratively with the Board, and I thank them for their support. I would like to thank Ms. Dement for her service to the Town.” Please join us in giving Ken a warm welcome to the Board.

Matthews Messenger | March 2020

Celebrating Matthews Employees of the Year Congratulations to Matthews Employees of the

and his character and integrity shine through

Year for 2019: Public Works Supervisor Bobby Hoxit

everything he does. Bobby has worked for the Town

and Matthews Police Department Officer Marlon

of Matthews since 1992.

Cockerham! They were surprised with

Officer Cockerham

the honor during

- Matthews Police

February 10th’s Town

Department

Board meeting. Both

Kind, friendly, and

Bobby and Marlon

respectful are just

have gone above and

a few of the words

beyond their assigned

used to describe

duties to make a

Offer Cockerham. His

lasting impact on the

colleagues recognize

community.

his willingness to go the extra mile in his duties

Bobby Hoxit -

as a Police Officer. We

Public Works Supervisor

appreciate Officer Cockerham’s emphasis on the

Bobby always has a positive attitude and strives to

importance of community policing and making it a

do his best in his daily work. As a supervisor, Bobby

priority to get to know the citizens, business owners

does an outstanding job leading his crew. He does

and neighborhoods of Matthews. He is making a

what it takes to get the job done properly and

difference in this community and is an excellent

doesn’t take shortcuts. He is an exemplary leader

example for others.

MATTHEWS FAST FACTS

1 Date in April of the 2020 Census. Visit meckcounts2020.com for more info

Date in February that Commissioner McCool was sworn into office

Number of roads blocked by fallen trees in the immediate aftermath of the February storm

Cost of a Lunch with the Easter Bunny ticket on April 3rd

Matthews Messenger | March 2020

JOIN THE FUN AT EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA! Join us for our Annual Easter EGGstravangza throughout the next month with three events including Lunch with the Easter Bunny, Photos with the Easter Bunny, and The Great Easter Eggspedition! For more information, please read more below and be sure to follow us on Facebook for any updates.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny

On March 6th at 9 AM, tickets will go on sale for Lunch with the Easter Bunny that will take place on Friday, April 3rd. The event will be at Matthews Community Center (100 McDowell Street Matthews, NC 28105). We welcome children, ages 2 to 5, to join in on the fun and eat lunch, participate in a fun craft activity, and get their picture taken with our iconic guest of honor! Tickets are only $7 per person. If you are interested in having your family attend Lunch with the Easter Bunny, purchase your ticket today! Click Here to purchase tickets online. For any questions, please call Melissa Johnson at 704-321-7275 or stop by Matthews Community Center.

Photos with the Easter Bunny

Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny will be available on Saturday, April 4th, from 10 AM - 1 PM to take posed pictures with children and family at the Matthews Community Center. Furry family members are welcome, too!

The Great Easter Eggspedition

Starting Friday, March 27th through Monday, April 13th, search for the Golden Easter Eggs all over the Town of Matthews. There will be eggs hidden in parks, near Downtown businesses, near town buildings, on the greenway, and near town visitor attractions/landmarks! There will be a few special golden eggs hidden as well. If you are the lucky individual that finds one, please bring it to the Community Center to redeem for the Eggspedition Grand Prize. Be sure to follow us on Facebook - Hints will be posted on the Town of Matthew Park and Recreation Facebook page.

Census 2020: Make it Count! In the weeks leading up to Census Day on April 1, 2020, everyone will receive a census letter in the mail. When you receive this mailing, please respond. It only takes a few minutes to ensure you and your family are counted. The census can be completed online, by phone or by mail. The census is convenient, safe and required. It is also extremely important because it will help shape the future of Mecklenburg County. Visit www.meckcounts2020.com for more information.

Matthews Messenger | March 2020

MATTHEWS RECOVERING FROM EF-1 TORNADO with support from our community, is helping Matthews recover together.

On Thursday, February 6th, the Town of Matthews was hit with an EF-1 tornado. The storm caused severe damage involving downed trees, damage to structures, and extensive power outages. During the peak of the storm and immediate aftermath, the Matthews Police Department received 93 calls for service. Fortunately, despite all of the damage, there were no injuries reported as a result of the storm. Matthews Public Works, Matthews Police Department, and Matthews Fire and EMS immediately began to clear roads of fallen trees, clear clogged storm drains, direct traffic at intersections without power, ensure safe travel and respond to calls for service. Their hard work, along

“I can’t say enough about the exceptional work of our Police, Fire and Public Works employees,” said Mayor John Higdon. “They did an incredible job under these difficult circumstances. I spent several hours with one of our crews from Public Works after the storm and their dedication to the Town is unparalleled. We’ve also seen tremendous examples of the community coming together with neighbor helping neighbor and that is part of what makes Matthews so special. I am confident the spirit of this community will endure long after the damage is cleaned up and repaired.”

Sign Up for CharMeck Alerts A storm like the one that occured in February can happen at a moment’s notice. To stay vigilant about local news, weather alerts, and road closures, we encourage you to sign up for CharMeck Alerts. CharMeck Alerts sends you text, email, call, or push notifications to alert you of local and/ or emergency alerts, which you can customize in your CharMeck Alerts account. Please visit http://charmeckalerts. org/ to register today!

Matthews Messenger | March 2020

March 2020 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!

Lunch with the easter bunny Tickets go on sale at 9am

Board of Commissioners SPECIAL Meeting Town Hall

Car Seat Checking station, 8-11:30AM Matthews Police Dept.

CREWS FAMILY FUN NIGHT “Wrighting night” Crews Recreation Center DAte Night Drop Off, 5-9 PM Crews Recreation Center

Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall

Cool vibes indoor concert series, 5:30PM Community Center Fullwood Theater

Car Seat Checking station, 8-11:30AM Matthews Police Dept.

Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall

The great Easter Eggspedition

March 27 - April 13th throughout the Town of Matthews

Car Seat Checking station, 8-11:30AM Matthews Police Dept.

Lunch with the easter bunny Matthews Community Center

Pictures with the easter bunny Matthews Community Center

DAte Night Drop Off, 5-9 PM Crews Recreation Center Food truck friday & concert series, 5pm Stumptown Park

Have any questions about the community? Contact us! TOWN HALL

232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 PHONE

(704) 847- 4411 E-MAIL

matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB