News About Town: Getting a jump start on campaign season, three incumbent candidates held their first meet and greet at Seaboard last night. The mayor and five commissioners were in attendance, as was the town manager. Candidates for Matthews Board of Commissioners don’t officially file to run until next month, so the full roster is yet to be known. Early voting begins Wednesday, October 16 and ends Friday, November 1. The general election is on Tuesday, November 5 from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm at your regular polling location.

News Around Town: NCDOT is hosting an open house/preconstruction meeting for the I-485 Express Lane project. This project will include the on/off ramps at Weddington Rd. and improvements to the John St. interchange. The express lanes will be tolled with cost depending on demand, existing lanes will not be toll lanes. Stop by anytime Thursday, June 27, from noon to 7 pm at the Endhaven Elementary School (6815 Endhaven Ln., Charlotte) to chat with NCDOT and Turnpike Authority representatives.

One Fun Thing: There’s one more chance to hear from Barbara Taylor, Director for the Matthews Heritage Museum, about the Tank Town exhibit. Barbara will be at Matthews Library presenting the history of the schools and churches in the community as well as some stories highlighting life in Tank Town. Saturday, June 22, 2 to 3 pm, Matthews Library.

Last night The Odom Firm held an eminent domain workshop for those impacted by the NCDOT Highway 51 Widening from 4-lanes to 6. Around 50 residents attended to learn about their rights as property owners and the process of eminent domain.

David Murray presented the law firm's typical process and answered questions. Some residents were concerned about loons, a superstreet bulb-out designed to handle larger vehicle u-turns, impeding their driveways. Others were concerned whether NCDOT appraisers would take the nuances of school districts into property value consideration. Three of the residents interviewed were worried about their family homes, properties which have been in their families for decades.