INSIDE ▼ Road projects OK'ed for Matthews PAGE 3A Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 8
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CMS GOING MASK-OPTIONAL by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will shift to a mask-optional approach beginning March 7. Mecklenburg County will be lifting its mask mandate Feb. 26, but Superintendent Earnest Winston recommended the district follow suit nine days later so that proper protocols can be put in place. Masks will still be required on buses. “I just want to emphasize that mask-optional means just that,” Win-
ston said. “Individual students, staff and visitors to our campuses may make their choice of whether or not to wear a mask when indoors. Families make that decision for their students. This does not mean no masks.” Raynard Washington, who serves as Mecklenburg County’s public health director, endorsed Winston’s recommendation. Given recent changes to contact tracing and quarantine recommendations, Washington said it’s important to have policies in place to ensure students and staff returning from a COVID-19 infection adhere
to proper mask protocols. Washington made the distinction that mask requirements are merely policy and that in reality he recommends people wear masks in public or indoor settings, especially if they are vulnerable to infections. School board members Sean Strain and Rhonda Cheek tried to convince their colleagues to go mask-optional on Feb. 26 to align with the county’s lifting of the mask mandate. Cheek wondered if there would be any measurable impact on the county’s public health if the district were to move up the mask-optional
approach to Feb. 26. She pointed to other districts that changed policy much faster than CMS. Margaret Marshall sided with Strain and Cheek, but Marshall said she would continue to wear masks inside schools and other public places. CMS anticipates some students and staff will still wear masks. “There will be no tolerance for bullying or intimidation of those who choose to continue wearing masks,” Winston said. “Such behavior will be treated as any other form of bullying as defined in our code of student conduct handbook.”
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Closer care Atrium Health opens hospital nearby, 3A
Police described the suspect as a black male, wearing a black skully cap, blue gator mask, light-colored sweatshirt and blue jeans. Photo courtesy of MPD
Robbery suspect sprayed staff in face with chemical
New maps Lawmakers draw up new voting districts, 4A Citizens look over renderings of what the Matthews Veterans Memorial Park could look like during the Memorial Day ceremony in November. CMG file photo
Circle dates Matthews releases special events, 5A
Having a say Tofano apologizes after advisory committee leaders express concerns about commissioner's overreach by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
Memory Gala Fundraiser to take on Alzheimer's, 1B
Fancy art International Banksy exhibit arrives, 2B
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MATTHEWS – Leaders from two of the town’s citizen advisory boards told Matthews commissioners Feb. 14 that one of their colleagues was out of line when it came to influencing the groups on matters involving veterans. Howie Labiner chairs the Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Advisory Board. Labiner was concerned about a motion to be discussed by commissioners to amend his committee’s bylaws to place veterans issues on a joint committee chaired by the Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee. The issue with this motion is that neither of the committees were consulted, according to the handful of people that spoke out against it during the public comment portion of the town board meeting. The groups have been collaborating on the development of the Matthews Veterans Memorial Park, a project that Commissioner Mark Tofano shepherded as a citizen and commander of American Legion Post 235. “Commissioner Tofano has gotten 90% of what he wants, but views PRAC as an impediment to his control over both the process and results,” Labiner told commissioners. “He has repeatedly told us that anything other than 100% of what he wants is ‘unacceptable.’” PRAC Vice Chair Susan Chambers said the committees should continue to work collaboratively as they have been. “Our two committees have worked beautifully
Park-goers look at a preview of the mural that will eventually go on this wall. CMG file photo
together throughout this process,” Chambers said. “And the way that this was all brought about, we were all kind of blindsided.” Michelle May, who chairs the Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee, said her group opposes changes to the bylaws. “A commissioner should not attempt to influence an advisory committee into his or her point of view affecting votes or opinions,” May said. “I personally ask that Commissioner Tofano be removed from MVAC due to attempts to influence members and create divisions between the committees and their members.” see VETERANS, Page 5A
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MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department is investigating a robbery at the Ulta Beauty Store on Matthews Township Parkway. Patrol officers responded to the call at 3:57 p.m. Feb. 18. Ulta staff told police the suspect came into the store and tried to leave without paying for his merchandise. When approached by staff at the exit, the suspect displayed an aerosol container and sprayed two employees in the face with a chemical irritant before running away, police said. He was last seen getting into a white Nissan Maxima driven by a female. Medic was called to treat the employees. Call 704-847-5555. with details about the case.
Suspected sports goods thief wasn’t fast enough MATTHEWS – Officers with the Matthews Police Department responded Feb. 15 to the Dick’s Sporting Goods at 10530 Northeast Pkwy. regarding a larceny in progress. As officers arrived, they saw a man fitting the suspect’s description running in a wood line adjacent to the store parking lot. Officers caught him after he injured his leg while fleeing, police said. Police said he had over $600 worth of unpaid merchandise from the store. Police arrested Cornell Thompson, 50, of Charlotte, on a larceny charge. Police served outstanding warrants for breaking and/or entering, felony larceny, larceny after break/enter and misdemeanor larceny.
Arrests made in theft MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department arrested two males suspected of stealing Feb. 20 at Academy Sports & Outdoors. Police received the call of a larceny in progress at 9:19 a.m. When officers arrived, they made contact with two male suspects, one of which had concealed merchandise inside the store. They discovered the suspects were in possession of illegal narcotics and a handgun, officials said. Police arrested Brendon Isaiah Goodell, 19, of Charlotte, on charges of carrying a concealed gun; maintain a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances; possession of marijuana with the intent to sell/deliver; and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The other male suspect faces juvenile charges.