MATTHEWSNC.GOV @TOWNOFMATTHEWS @MATTHEWSNC TOWN OF MATTHEWS @TOWNOFMATTHEWS 432www.matthewsnc.govMainLineMarket,Beats'nBites and Musica Matthews coming soon! Welcome new employees! Learn about the upcoming bond referendum In this issue... AUGUST 2022 Volume 4 — Issue 8 SEPTEMBER 2022 Volume 4 — Issue 9 illustration of potential improvements along trade street
As you may know, during the November 2022 election, residents of Matthews will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed Transportation bond and a Parks and Recreation bond. In this month’s newsletter, we continue our series on the bond referendum by taking a closer look at some of the projects that the bonds would fund. See pages 4-5 for more details.
I encourage you to mark your calendars and plan to attend one of our upcoming information sessions. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the two bonds and have your questions answered. See page 4 for the details.
We are excited to welcome Melia Gordon to Matthews as our new Assistant Town
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Manager.
Matthews Messenger | SEPTEMBER 2022 2MANAGER’S
Becky Hawke BECKY HAWKE MATTHEWS TOWN BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOVMANAGER
MatthewsandsoCommissionerseventsonCheckontothrilledenforcementbackgroundKDpoliceChiefhasrelatedInaboutthistoarefitmakeexperienceMelia’sandskillsetheranexcellentforthisroleandwelookingforwardherjoininguslatermonth.ReadmoreMeliaonpage3.moreemployee-news,KDWilliamsbeennamedInterimofPoliceforthedepartment.hasanimpressiveinlawandwearetowelcomehimMatthews.Readmorepage3.outthecalendarpage6forTownandBoardofmeetingsyoucanstayinvolvedengagedinallthathastooffer. M ain Line Market WestSeptemberSaturday,2412-6:00pmCharlesStreetOurquarterlypop-upmarketcontinuesinSeptemberwith30+vendorssellinghandmadegoods,afoodtruck,music,andcraftbeerfromCarolinaBeerTemple. Upcoming Special Events Beats ‘n Bites SeptemberFriday, 30 5amusicStumptown9:00pmParkJoinusforthelastBeats‘nBitesoftheseasonfeaturinglivefromRattleandHum(U2tribute)andgreatlineupoffoodtrucks. Musica Matthews month,StumptownOctoberSaturday,155-9:00pmParkAcelebrationofHispanicHeritageincludingmusic,dance,artandfoodvendors.
melia gordon named assistant town manager
The Town of Matthews welcomes Melia Gor don as the new Assistant Town Managerlater this month. Melia has extensive public service experience particularly in the areas of human resources, finance, budget, andstrategic planning.
Prior to coming to Matthews, Melia servedas the Cultural and Diversity Manager forthe City of Charlotte. In that role, Melia led the development and implementation of strategies to foster an organizational culturewelcoming to all. Melia has worked for theCity of Charlotte since 2007 in various roles including Airport Budget and Financial Services Manager, Strategy and Budget Analystand Human Resources Manager. Melia began her career with the University of NorthCarolina at Charlotte working as a ProgramCoordinator and Human Resources Administrator.
Melia earned a B.S. in Finance and Management from the University ofSouth Carolina and a Master of Public Administration degree from theUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte. In her spare time, Melia enjoysspending time with family and friends, reading, traveling/experiencing
different cultures, and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. P
Matthews Welcomes interim police chief kd williams
Kenneth "KD" Williams has been named In terim Chief of Police for the Matthews Police KDDepartment.has28years of law enforcement experi ence with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg PoliceDepartment. During his time with CMPD, heheld various positions including Commanderof Internal Affairs and Commander of the Special Investigations Bureau. He retired fromCMPD as Deputy Chief of the Administra tive Services Group. Most recently, KD was Vice President of Enterprise Accounts for G4S Secure Solutions, one of the largest securitycompanies in the United States.
KD began as Interim Chief earlier this month.He is expected to remain in the position until the search for a perma nent replacement is completed at a later date.
Matthews Messenger | SEPTEMBER 2022 3
October 20 voting Novemberbegins8electionday
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.
On Election Day, November 8, 2022, the people of Matthews will vote on whether to authorize the Town to finance up to $21 million for Transportation and $14 million for Parks and BelowRecreation.aretheproposed projects for the two bonds. These projects have been identified as priorities based on citizen feedback, long term planning and the Town’s strategic goals.
Illustration of along Street.
Matthews Messenger | SEPTEMBER 2022 4Transportation Bond Potential projectsfunded through theTransportation Bond •include:Creating amore walkable and visitorsresidentsaccessibilitywalkability,enhanceTradesidewalksareadowntownaccessiblewithwideralongStreetthatsafety,andforand • Adding 100+ newparking downtownspaces • Extension of Greylock Ridge Road to improve connectivity • Improving the intersection of E. Charles Street and Crestdale Road • Filling sidewalks gaps throughout town • Pedestrian safety improvements along E. John Street from GreylockRidge to I-485 Outer Ramp in coordination with the NCDOTinterchange project
Early
potential improvements
Trade
Parks and Recreation Bond
Potential projects funded through the Parks and Recreation Bond could include:
• Completion of Purser-Hulsey Park, a 93-acre community park that will feature an all-abilities playground, nature trails, picnic shelters, pond/pier, amphitheater, splash park, clubhouse and more (Illustration above)
• Completion of the Matthews Downtown Loop, a multi-use path that loops the entire downtown core with multiple connections for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Numerous improvements to parks in Matthews including new playground equipment and adding restrooms
Upcoming Information Sessions
Monday, October 3 6 - 8:00 pm
Matthews Town Hall
Monday, October 10 2- 4:00 pm
Matthews Town Hall (also via Zoom)
Saturday, October 22 9 - 11:00 am
Matthews Town Hall
For more information on the bonds, including priority projects, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/bonds.
Email questions or comments to matthews@matthewsnc.gov.
Matthews Messenger | SEPTEMBER 2022 5
September 2022 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us! For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.ASPX7:00PMboardofadjustmentMeeting6:00PMCrewsFamilyFunNight7:00PMboardofadjustmentMeetingMatthewsMessenger|SEPTEMBER2022 6 TOWN HALL 232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 PHONE (704) 847- 4411 E-MAIL matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB www.matthewsnc.gov Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov Commissioner Renee garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov Commissioner gina hoover ghoover@matthewsnc.gov Commissioner mark tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov Have any questions about the community? Contact us! Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners Board7PM MeetingCommissionersof mtgadvisoryenvironmental7pmcmte 6:30 mtgAdvisoryResource&Parks,PMRecreationCulturalCom. meetingcommitteeadvisorytransportation7pm Beats5-9PM ‘n Bites 5:30 PM meetingdiversityCulturalcmte Board7PM MeetingCommissionersof 8am car stationcheckingseat 7PM meetingoncommitteeMatthewseducation marketmain12-6PMline date5PM Matthewsdrop-offnightalive Matthews alive Matthews alive Matthews alive special6PM Board MeetingCommissionersof 7pm meetingtreeappearance/committee 7pm boardplanningmeeting
