Matthews Messenger - June 2022

JUNE 2022

Volume 4 — Issue 6

In this issue...

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Mural added to Matthews Veterans Memorial Park Read more on page 4

Charlotte Symphony comes to Matthews June 10 MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

Outen Pottery Park Project Board pursuing bond referendum for November 2022

www.matthewsnc.gov

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | june 2022

MANAGER’S MESSAGE Happy Summer! As we enter into the summer months, keep in mind the Town of Matthews has some great events lined up. This month we welcome the Charlotte Symphony for a performance in Stumptown Park on Friday, June 10. Read more about this event below.

The Town’s Cultural Diversity Committee is co-hosting a Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 20 on the steps of Town Hall. Learn more on page 5.

The Board of Commissioners is interested in pursuing general obligation bonds for transportation and park projects. A voter referendum is currently planned for the November 2022 election. A public hearing is planned for July 11. Learn more on page 4.

We are moving forward with developing a park and educational experience on the site of the former Outen Pottery. This unique site is located on Jefferson Street in downtown Matthews and was designated a historical landmark in 2016. We are holding a public meeting for this project on Thursday, June 16 at the Matthews Community Center.

Residents are also invited to provide feedback on the proposed project on our website. Read more about this on page 3.

Check out the calendar on page 6 for Town events and Board of Commissioners meetings so you can stay involved and engaged in all that Matthews has to offer.

Becky Hawke BECKY HAWKE MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

We are thrilled to once again welcome the Charlotte Symphony to Stumptown Park for a performance on Friday, June 10. This is one of our most popular events of the season!

Bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy sweets from local food trucks, and craft beer from Seaboard Brewery.

Prelude begins at 7:15 pm. The Symphony performance begins at 8:30 pm.

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Matthews Messenger | june 2022

Outen Pottery park project moves forward Outen Pottery, located at 430 Jefferson Street, was the site of the R.F. Outen Pottery workshop. Outen was one of the most well-known traditionally-trained potters in North Carolina. He retired in 1975. The site was deemed a historic landmark in Mecklenburg County in 2016.

The Town of Matthews worked with Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission to acquire the pottery kiln, workshop, and the 1.5 acres surrounding the structures. The Town is now preparing to create a park and educational experience that will showcase the artistic nature of mid-century pottery making. Artist renderings of the proposed project are below.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 6PM - 8PM at the Matthews Community Center. Residents are invited to attend to learn more about this project and provide their input. Residents may also provide input by completing this online form: https://matthewsnc.gov/outen

Outen Pottery Park Project Public Input meeting Thursday, June 16 6PM - 8PM Matthews Community Center 100 E. McDowell Street Matthews, NC 28105

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Matthews Messenger | june 2022

Moving Matthews Forward Board of Commissioners Pursuing Bond Referendum in November 2022 Election The Matthews Board of Commissioners is interested in pursuing general obligation bonds to finance various transportation and parks projects. The proposed projects touch all parts of the community and are investments to improve the quality of life for the residents of Matthews and for generations to come.

Matthews residents have voiced their desire for improved connectivity and walkability, more parking in the downtown area, more park space and park amenities, and additional greenways/trails throughout Town.

Town leaders believe that general obligation bond financing will accomplish the goal of advancing these important projects at the lowest possible cost.

Once approved by the Board, the people of Matthews will vote on whether to authorize the Town to finance up to $35 million for Transporation and Park bonds on Election Day, November 8, 2022. More information coming soon to www. matthewsnc.gov.

A public hearing is planned for Monday, July 11, 2022 at Matthews Town Hall.

Mural added to Matthews Veterans Memorial Park A new mural has been installed at the Matthews Veterans Memorial Park. The mural, titled: “America, the land of the free…because of the brave,” is by local artist Kim Shepherd.

Kim specializes in photo-realism style painting. She was born in Vietnam, and escaped the communist regime and came to the United States as a child. She has expressed gratitude to the veterans who helped her family on their journey to the United States.

The mural itself depicts all major conflicts since World War I. The image shows the hardships soldiers face during conflict, as well as the human side of these events. All branches of US military are represented in this mural, including the US Space Force.

The mural also depicts a variety of ethnicities representing the diversity that makes up the U.S. military.

The Town of Matthews Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department worked closely on this project with their advisory committee, the Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee, and the Hooks-Orr Matthews Post 235 American Legion.

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Matthews Messenger | june 2022

juneteenth freedom day The Town of Matthews Cultural Diversity Committee, along with several partnering groups, will hold a community celebration on Monday, June 20 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm on the steps of Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street).

This family friendly event provides an opportunity to celebrate freedom, the rich history of Juneteenth and how its significance illustrates the hard fought and continuing battles for equality and justice for African Americans.

HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH

HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH

Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops took control of the state and ensured that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

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Matthews Messenger | june 2022

June 2022 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!

7:00 PM board of 7:00 PM adjustment board of Meeting adjustment meeting

7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee meeting

Charlotte Symphony night 7:15 PM Prelude 8:30 PM Performance

6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com. mtg 7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting

6:45 Matthews Committee on Education mtg

7:00 PM juneteenth celebration

5:30 pm Cultural Diversity Committee Meeting

7:00 pm transportation advisory committee meeting

8:00 am car seat checking station

7:00 PM Board of commissioners Meeting

5:00 PM Beats ‘n Bites

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

7:00 PM planning Board Meeting

12:00 PM main line markets

6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night

10:00 aM 2:30pm red cross blood drive

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 mark tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

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

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