Matthews Messenger - April 2023

APRIL 2023 MARCH 2023

Volume55——Issue Issue34 Volume

A new sculpture was installed in front of Town Hall recently: "Blended Joy" by local artist Tom Risser. This is part of the Town's Outdoor Sculpture Gallery. Read more in next month's newsletter

In this issue...

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MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

Regional Festival of India Returns to Matthews April 29 Town Board Planning Conference coming up Resident thanks team who helped save his life

www.matthewsnc.gov

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | april 2023

MANAGER’S MESSAGE April is a busy month here in the Town of Matthews. We’re preparing to host several special events this month including the second annual Regional Festival of India. The Town is excited to offer this very popular event again this year in partnership with the India Association of Charlotte.

This year’s festival will be held on Saturday, April 29 at Stumptown Park. Please note that a portion of Trade Street will be closed during this event. Read more on page 3.

Beat 'n Bites returns to Stumptown Park this month. The first concert of the season will be held on Friday, April 28 featuring music from Rattle and Hum (U2 Tribute).

Check out the details on page 4.

The Town Board will gather for the annual planning conference later this month. The planning conference is typically a two-

day meeting in which Board members and Town staff discuss upcoming priorities, the Town's budget and the strategic plan. Read more on page 4.

You won’t want to miss a heartwarming story that recently aired on Queen City News. Last month, Matthews Fire & EMS, Medic, and others came together to reunite with a Matthews resident who wanted to express his appreciation for their help during a recent medical event. Read more about this story on page 5.

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.

Becky Hawke TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Melia Gordon ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER MGORDON@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR NEXT POLICE CHIEF The search for Matthews' next Police Chief is underway. Executive search firm Baker Tilly is assisting with the process. The job posting can be found here: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/bakertilly/jobs/3967826-0/policechief-matthews-north-carolina The Police Department is currently being guided by Interim Chief KD Williams.

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Matthews Messenger | april 2023

Regional Festival of India Returns to Matthews April 29 The Regional Festival of India will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm in Stumptown Park.

The event, held in partnership with the India Association of Charlotte, will feature dance performances, Indian street food, a marketplace with jewelry and souvenirs, sari draping, turban tying, henna tattoos, immersive cultural experiences, a visual art gallery, interactive kids’ corner and more.

More information about the event offerings can be found on our website: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/ newsview.aspx?nid=6852.

Road Closure Alert Trade Street from John Street to McDowell Street will be closed from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 29 to accommodate the Festival of India. Click here to view a parking and detour map: https://www. matthewsnc.gov/calendarView.aspx?cid=45591&id=0&catid=0

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Matthews Messenger | april 2023

MATTHEWS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD PLANNING CONFERENCE APRIL 21 AND 22 The Board of Commissioners will hold the annual Planning Conference on April 21 and 22 at Matthews Town Hall. The two-day conference is an opportunity for Board members to discuss the Town’s Strategic Plan, Board priorities, the new fiscal year ahead and other agenda items.

This meeting is open to the public and will also be live streamed on the Town’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@townofmatthews.

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Matthews Messenger | april 2023

MATTHEWS RESIDENT THANKS TEAM WHO HELPED SAVE HIS LIFE Matthews resident Kurt Fichtman suffered cardiac arrest on March 8 during his workout at Planet Fitness. Thanks to the quick action of those around him and the first responders who treated him, he is expected to make a full recovery. Mr. Fichtman was so appreciative of the men and women who saved his life, he wanted to reunite everyone and personally thank them.

Telecommunicators, Firefighter/EMTs, Planet Fitness employees and Medic employees all came together on Friday, March 31 at Fire Station One in Matthews to be reunited with Mr. Fichtman and meet his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters.

The group is pictured below.

Matthews Fire & EMS presented awards to the Planet Fitness employees who quickly sprang into action to provide CPR to Mr. Fichtman.

Queen City News reporter Will Lewis attended the reunion. Please click below to watch the news story: ‘I get to come back to my girls. Thank you’: Matthews man meets workers that saved his life. https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/mecklenburg-county/i-get-tocome-back-to-my-girls-thank-you-matthews-man-meets-workers-that-saved-his-life/

“You can’t put into words when somebody saves your life how grateful you are. Words can’t quantify it,” said Fichtman.

“I feel like I couldn’t say thank you enough.”

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Matthews Messenger | april 2023

Upcoming Events

Any questions? Contact us! april

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Saturday

10:00 aM earth day & kids in nature day

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Monday

7:00 pm appearance/tree committee meeting

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Wednesday

5:30 PM Cultural diversity committee meeting

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Thursday

7:00 PM transportation committee meeting

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Monday

7:00 pm Board of Commissioners Meeting

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Tuesday

7:00 pm planning board meeting

26 Wednesday

8:00 aM CAR SEAT CHECKING STATION

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Friday

29 Saturday may

5:00 pm beats 'n bites 9:00 am free shred event 12:00 pm festival of india

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Tuesday

7:30 pm matthews concert band performance

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Wednesday

7:00 pm veterans advisory committee meeting

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Saturday

9:00 am par2 disc golf tournament

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

Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner mark tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov

Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Renee garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner gina hoover ghoover@matthewsnc.gov

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TOWN HALL

232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov