Matthews Messenger | December 2020

DECEMBER — 2020

Volume 2 — Issue 11

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In this issue...

See page 2 for the latest on the Lynx Silver Line Project.

Honoring veterans with restored memorial on page 3.

Mayor Higdon answers questions from second grade class on page 4.

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Matthews Messenger | December 2020

MANAGER’S MESSAGE We ushered in the holiday season last week with a virtual tree lighting. The Town tree – spruced up this year with the addition of new decorations – was lit in a special video presentation featuring Mayor Higdon and performances from some talented local groups including the Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts, Butler High School Show Choir, Lauren Sharpe with the Charlotte Academy of Music, Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Choir, and of course a visit from Santa! Click here to watch the video.

On Veterans Day we joined American Legion Post 235 for a special ceremony to honor our veterans. During the event, the restored Matthews Veterans Memorial in Stumptown Park was

unveiled. Read more about that on page 3.

Mayor Higdon is wrapping up his first year as Mayor.

A second-grade class at Matthews Elementary recently wrote to Mayor Higdon with some questions.

Read his answers on page 4.

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 and your family have a happy and safe holiday season. We wish you all the best in the year ahead.

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

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

LYNX Silver Line Project One of the most exciting transportation projects in

The Matthews Board of Commissioners created a Silver

our region has been the addition of a light rail line.

Line Task Force earlier this year. Comprised of citizens

Charlotte Area Transportation Services (CATS) continues

and Town staff, the Task Force held a series of meetings

work on an expansion that will service the Matthews

and completed an intensive review of the project to

area. The LYNX Silver Line is a proposed 26-mile light rail

develop a Locally Preferred Alignment (LPA) including

project from the City of Belmont, through Center City

suggested station locations throughout town. The Task

Charlotte and into Matthews, with a potential extension

Force presented their recommendations to the Board

into Union County.

of Commissioners at their November 9 meeting. Click here to watch.

Town leaders and staff have been hard at work planning for the Silver Line – a project decades in

CATS held public meetings on this project earlier this

the making. Last month, the Board of Commissioners

year. Additional public meetings will be held in early

received an update on the LYNX Silver Line project

2021. Stay tuned to www.matthewsnc.gov for future

from Charlotte Area Transportation Services (CATS)

meeting announcements.

Project Manager Andy Mock. Click here to view the presentation.

CATS has a goal to construct the project as part of its 2030 plan. However, project and funding decisions will determine the actual timeframe.

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Matthews Messenger | december 2020

Community Honors Veterans Day and Celebrates New Memorial American Legion Post 235 held a Veterans

Mayor Higdon also presented a plaque

Day Ceremony in Stumptown Park. The

to American Legion Post 235 Commander

community gathered safely to honor our

Mark Tofano for helping lead the effort to

veterans and unveil the newly restored

restore the memorial.

Veterans Memorial.

“This project would not have happened During the ceremony, Mayor John

or be completed to the level it is today

Higdon awarded the Mayor’s Medal to

without Mark’s extreme dedication,” said

the Veteran of the Year - Steven Wilfong

Mayor Higdon.

who served in the United States Navy. Mr. Wilfong served two tours in Vietnam as a

The restored memorial was made possible

counterinsurgency specialist from 1966-

through generous donations from the

1969. Following his military service, Mr.

community and businesses, as well as

Wilfong went on to become a Maryland

the volunteer efforts of many. Learn

State Trooper. He has been a member

more about the Matthews Veterans

of the American Legion for 50 years and

Memorial Restoration project at www.

currently serves as the 1st Vice Commander

matthewspost235.org.

for Post 235.

Photos credit: Jim Dedmon

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Matthews Messenger | December 2020

Mayor Higdon’s Q&A with Matthews Elementary Students Hello Ms. Letchworth’s Second Grade Class, it was such a pleasant surprise to get letters from you! I read each one.

Thank you. Let me answer a few of your questions:

Q: Can you make our streets safer by adding speed bumps? (Paige) We add speed bumps to town streets if lots of people that live nearby want them. They have to sign a letter asking for speed bumps, and the town investigates and will add them if we agree they are necessary. I have also asked our Police Chief Pennington to continue enforcing the speed limit so our streets remain as safe as possible.

Q: How much fun is it to be Mayor? (Dade) I really enjoy being Mayor. I get to work with lots of nice and talented people who work for the town, and I get to represent all of the citizens who live in Matthews as we make important decisions about our future.

Q: Why did you want to be Mayor? (Mary) I wanted to be Mayor to serve the public. I have specific things I wanted to improve – cutting down less trees in town, securing more park space, maintaining a strong relationship with the school board, and ensuring smart growth in our town, among others.

Matthews is such a great town and I am proud to serve as Mayor.

Q: I think we should have no bullying. (Soryn) I agree Soryn. Bullies are mean. Make sure to tell your parents or teacher if you see bullying and they can make sure it stops.

Again, thanks for your letters and questions. I wanted to leave you with one more thing you might enjoy. Did you know your school dates back to 1907 when classes were held in the Matthews Community Center? Here is a picture of a second grade class from 1928. That was 92 years ago!

Q: Matthews needs more ponds. (Fox) I really like ponds too, Fox. There is a nice one at Squirrel Lake Park, and we are considering adding one at PurserHulsey Park. There are several others in Matthews. Always remember to be safe around a pond!

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Take care. I’ll see you around town!

Mayor John Higdon

Matthews Messenger | december 2020

Charlotte Water Offers Customer Assistance As many customers are facing financial hardship, Charlotte Water in conjunction with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, has created the Customer Care Program.

Charlotte Water will work with customers to avoid any situation where a customer is disconnected for nonpayment. Apply now for bill assistance. Some funding expires December 31. You can find more information at charlottewater.org or by calling 311.

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Matthews Messenger | December 2020

December 2020 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us! veterans advisory committee meeting

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Joint board of commissioners/ cultural diversity committee meeting

parks, rec, and cultural resources committee meeting

Joint board of commissioners/ cultural diversity committee meeting

deck the house

Photos with santa claus Matthews Community Center

Transportation advisory committee meeting

Planning board meeting

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.aspx 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

www.matthewsnc.gov

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