The People of Matthews: Dr. Chuck Wilson

We asked a few people who work for the community of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what Dr. Chuck Wilson, pastor of Matthews United Methodist Church, told us:

Photo courtesy Matthews United Methodist Church

• I want to work much harder at remembering names and forgetting slights.

•  I want to move from destructive criticism towards redemptive engagement.

•  I want my spouse to marvel at how much better we are at listening than early in our marriage.

•  I want to be increasingly less quarrelsome, sarcastic, and easily offended.

• I want to think about fixing people less and loving people more.

•  I want to do everything I can to NOT do unnecessary damage to a person’s reputation.

The People of Matthews: Mayor Pro Tem John Higdon

We asked a few people who work for the community of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what Mayor Pro Tem John Higdon told us:

Photo from MatthewsNC.gov

Do you have a New Year's resolution? Here is a clichéd response, but one I really hope I can follow through on - I want to take better care of my health through a concerted effort to exercise more in 2019.  My hectic schedule makes that difficult sometimes. 

What do you hope for in the new year? Less dissension.  I don't think I have seen America more divided in my lifetime, and the vitriol is particularly nasty from just about every political viewpoint.  I would like to see us listen to each other more instead of shouting one another down, and really try to find some common ground.  

What do you want to leave behind in the old year? The stalemate the town has with CMS.  We need to expand our schools or build new ones, and I favor a CMS solution rather than other options.  We have started meeting and communicating respectfully with one another.  That is a good first step. 

What do you see foresee for Matthews in the coming year? Through decades of careful planning we have built a wonderful town and now it seems everyone wants to live here.  We need to very carefully manage future growth in our few remaining large tracts of land and infill projects.  Making sure our infrastructure keeps pace with other growth will be a continuing challenge.  This past year we have witnessed lots of input from the public.  I feel confident that will continue in 2019, and that is a good thing.

The People of Matthews: Resolution Edition

A few familiar faces from around Matthews shared their thoughts and hopes for 2019:

"Less screen time. I do think it's addictive and distracting. More time to focus on who and what is important "

~Dr. Steven Dickens, Starr & Dickens Orthodontics

"I never have specific [resolutions] like weight loss, etc, because they don't seem to work out. I constantly strive to be a better person, though, aiming to be more tolerant and understanding of others.”

~Paulette Wilkes, Market Manager, Matthews Farmer's Market

"This coming new year, I commit myself to making each moment count with the ones I love. I would also love to make at least one positive life changing decision in 2019."

~Mark Frye, manager, Trade Street Jewelers

The People of Matthews: County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell

We asked a few people who work for the community of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell told us:

Photo from McDowell4Meck.com

Do you have a New Year's resolution? I do not have a specific New Year's resolution, however, life has changed so profoundly for me as a result of the November election that I am working hard to build a schedule and a routine that includes time for constituents, family, study, personal development, and of course county business. Creating and maintaining balance will be a challenge, but I am really excited about each and every aspect of the coming year.

What do you hope for in the new year? What I hope for in the New Year is to truly make an impact in the lives of real people, to make a difference.  My hope is that I will be part of steps taken toward progress for the many issues our community faces in regards to equity, and a fair shake for those struggling with affordable housing, educational opportunities and access to county services.  It is my desire to be bold in finding ways to enhance our way of life and sustain our environment. 

What do you want to leave behind in the old year? What I would like to leave behind in 2018 is proverbial baggage! I am a firm believer that in order to move ahead, you have to look back and learn from your story... see where mistakes were made so that you can learn from them. 

What do you see foresee for Matthews in the coming year? As far as Matthews in the coming year, I am very hopeful.  The Town of Matthews has a lot going for it - it's charming, well located, has great bones and caring people - but it is going through growing pains and is at a crossroads for deciding how to handle that growth. At the Labor Day Parade this year I was really struck with how many new, young families were lining the streets along with folks who have a long history in Matthews - both groups are really needed to engage and take part in community discussions so that all perspectives are heard and considered.  It also appears that many of the citizens of Matthews are becoming more aware than ever of how their elected leaders can really shape their town.

I wish a very happy and healthy 2019 (along with loads of Beacon) for the people of Matthews!

The People of Matthews: Mayor Paul Bailey

We asked a few people who work for the community of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what Mayor Paul Bailey told us:

Photo from MatthewsNC.gov

Do you have a New Year's resolution? Spend more time focused on the important things in life.

What do you hope for in the new year? Continued health and increased time getting outside and enjoying our parks, greenways, and our great town.

What do you want to leave behind in the old year? Although I spent 41 years doing a job I loved, I will happily leave that behind in 2018. Time for new and different adventures.

What do you see foresee for Matthews in the coming year? We have a number of items I want to address in 2019. Foremost is to resolve the improvements to John St. with NCDOT and solidify the idea of traffic moving around the historic downtown rather than through it; getting the Trade St. bridge construction completed; getting aggressive in finding grants dollars to tie our greenways, bike trails, and sidewalks together to further develop our walkability and connectivity; and continue the vision for our historic downtown by encouraging a balance of residential and business uses so we can continue to see Matthews become a desirable place to live, work and play.    

The People of Matthews: Officer Tim Aycock

We asked a few people who work for the Town of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what Officer Tim Aycock, Community Resource and Public Information Officer for the Matthews Police Department, told us:

Do you have a New Year's resolution? As cliche as it sounds, I want to get into better shape and spend more quality time with the family.

What do you hope for in the new year? Health, happiness, prosperity and better time management.

What do you want to leave behind in the old year? Any negativity/stress and to not worry about the little things that don't really matter anyway.

What do you see foresee for Matthews in the coming year? I see Matthews continuing to strengthen its current community relationships as well as seeking every opportunity to build new ones. Matthews is a very special place where its citizens and stakeholders understand the importance of working together as a team to achieve our goals. 

The People of Matthews: Lori Canapinno

We asked a few people who work for the Town of Matthews to share their thoughts and hopes for 2019. Here’s what Lori Canapinno, Town Clerk, told us:

Do you have a New Year's resolution? I don't make resolutions per se, but I am entering 2019 with the general intent of being a better person tomorrow than I was today. Everyone is human and makes mistakes, but continuously striving to be better will lead only to positive results.

What do you hope for in the new year? I hope that people try to see the good in others and don't immediately assume that differing opinions mean there's no common ground or ability to have productive discourse.

What do you want to leave behind in the old year? I would like to stop being so reluctant to try new things and get out of my comfort zone.

What do you see foresee for Matthews in the coming year? I think that Matthews will continue to be a wonderful place in 2019 with an actively involved citizenry. There are a lot of big issues being discussed and decided and it's great to see people becoming really engaged with their local government. Part of my job is helping facilitate that, and I am excited when citizens become more involved with the government that most directly impacts their day to day lives.

The People of Downtown Matthews: Resolution Edition

A few familiar faces from Downtown Matthews shared their thoughts and hopes for 2019:

"I don't really ever make New Year's resolutions. If I need to fix it, I do it then and there. I'm grateful and thankful, every day. Every year."

~David Blackley, Owner, Renfrow Hardware

"To continue to serve the community of Matthews through celebration of local history."

~Barbara Taylor, Director, Matthews Heritage Museum

"Mine is basically to spend more time with my kids (who live in Florida)."

~Derry Poulos, Server, Seaboard Brewing