The Mint Hill Times

The Matthews Town Board of Commissioners received the proposed Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget from Town Manager Hazen Blodgett during their meeting tonight. This budget focuses on maintaining current services for citizens during the continued economic recession.

The proposed budget for the Town would be $17,747,896. This is $210,421 less than the 2009-10 budget. There are no proposed tax or fee increases in the budget. The current tax rate will remain at .3325 cents per $100 valuation. “In this budget we have deferred and delayed important items including awarding employee merit raises, purchasing fewer police vehicles and other capital items, left open positions unfunded, and decreased staff training for the second year in a row. While we all recognize during these tough times this is the proper course of action, over time these cutbacks will impact our ability to provide government services,” said Matthews Town Manager Hazen Blodgett. Continue reading »

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You know the sign. It’s along Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Matthews, just before Idlewild Road. It’s Neubert Purser, the man who claims Matthews stole his farm so they could build a park. The Mint Hill Times, as well as Matthews and Charlotte newspapers have cover this story. And now the Carolina Journal has gotten wind. Purser has always maintained his land was wrongfully taken from him by the Town of Matthews.  Matthews actually took the land legally by utilizing eminent domain laws. But unlike others whose land was taken via eminent domain, Purser got more than his fair share in the deal. Not only did he get above market value for the land–more than $4.25 million– he also gets to stay there tax-free and rent-free as long as he lives. How many of us wouldn’t take that deal? Still, Purser, like others who have had land taken for the public benefit, will always feel like they were cheated. Hence, the red lettered sign viewed by thousands of cars a day on Matthews-Mint Hill Road.