MATTHEWS – The Matthews Board of Commissioners has approved a $46,670,670 budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year but there are lingering questions about staffing recommendations made by Town Manager Melia James.
Her budget included four new full-time positions.
The board decided June 8 to move forward with a senior transportation planner but
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was not quite ready to commit to an IT technician, a safety coordinator and an in-house attorney to supplement the work of Town Attorney Daniel Peterson.
Commissioners placed the $328,548 budgeted for those positions into a contingency fund that town staff can’t access unless the board grants approval.
Peterson is actually a parttime contracted employee with Charlotte-based Parker Poe. The in-house attorney would provide daily legal
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town commissioners held a public hearing June 8 to consider allowing racket sports as a by-right use in light industrial areas.
Monroe Rd Holdings has applied for the text amendment. The LLC is requesting three specific uses to light industrial zoning districts: Tennis and racket club, commercial, indoor or outdoor
• Tennis and racket sports courts, indoor or outdoor
• Indoor commercial recreation, not otherwise listed
CHARLOTTE – The topic of race came up June 2 when Mecklenburg County commissioners were considering their advisors for parks and recreationrelated issues.
Eugene Kiser, who chairs the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission, offered recommendations to commissioners on how to fill the vacant seats.
support. In response to adding the position to the budget, the line item for legal fees was reduced by $81,000 to $75,000. Commissioners considered adjusting that line item when they froze the inhouse attorney position but held off for the time being.
“I don’t think this can wait until a September potential retreat or planning conference,” Commissioner Jennefer Garrity told colleagues about deciding the fate of these positions. The town currently employs
Senior Planner Robert Will said light industrial districts allow for a few recreational uses by-right, such as arcades, sports fields, parks and playgrounds. Uses like amusement parks, indoor archery or firearms ranges, golf courses, miniature golf, paintball courses, skateboard facilities and waterparks are allowed with conditions.
Matthews adopts $46M budget
two IT professionals, one of whom works primarily with the police department. The IT technician would focus on help desk services. The safety coordinator would assist in risk management functions.
Commissioner Kerry Lamson asked James if she was comfortable working with a chunk of the budget withheld for contingency.
“We don’t have the bodies today. The work is being done today with who we have,” she replied. “The work would continue to be done as is
UP IN THE AIR
LLC volleys racket sports idea to town
The planning board is recommending commissioners approve the text amendment. The environmental advisory committee suggested adding some separation between indoor rec and hazardous chemical storage uses but Will told commissioners that chemical storage isn’t allowed in light industrial districts. “I’m not so worried about something next to a chemical situation,” Commissioner John Urban said. “I’m more concerned about outdoor
Race comes up in advisory board vote
Kiser recommended Mint Hill resident William Colyer and South Charlotte resident Linda Ashendorf be reappointed. He also recommended Lyn Dodillet, Horace Holmes and Sarah Calugar be appointed.
Commissioner Laura Meier made a motion to approve all of Kiser’s recommendations but George Dunlap made a substitute motion with recommendations of his own.
“We’re about to make six appointments to the park and recreation commission,
unless we can find some extra funds in our budget to cover that.”
Despite the uncertainty with the positions, commissioners unanimously approved the budget on June 8. Mayor John Higdon previously praised it for not including a tax rate increase.
“Really appreciate the amount of rigor that was used looking through every line item and want our constituents to know that we really vetted this exceptionally well,” Higdon said.
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County commissioners adopted a $2.6 billion operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on June 2 that does not include an increase to the property tax rate.
The tax rate will stay at 49.27 cents per $100 of assessed value. This was important for several commissioners.
“Being able to have a balanced budget with the realization that you’re not going to raise taxes to hurt those we’re trying to help the most – that’s significant,” AtLarge Commissioner Yvette TownsendIngram said. “I realize the talent of the staff of Mecklenburg County to be able to do that.”
County Manager Mike Bryant had unique challenges in putting the budget together but he made it look easy, according to District 3 Commissioner George Dunlap. He appreciated the budget’s clarity and how it encompassed concerns expressed by all of the commissioners.
“When people look at our budget, they’re going to begin to realize that this board did what most people don’t expect us to do,” Dunlap said.
“I don’t typically get political when I talk on this board, but it’s a Democratic board, and they don’t expect us to show fiscal restraint. So I’m extremely proud of the fact that we did not decide to raise taxes, and it was because it was a part of our manager’s recommendation. He said we would not put ourselves in the hole that we’ve done in the past, and I appreciated that.”
District 6 Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell thanked the county manager and his team for their work on the budget. She noted it was the first budget under Bryant’s administration.
and this board has worked tirelessly to try to diversify all of our boards,” Dunlap said.
“I couldn’t believe that out of all of these appointments, there wasn’t one African American that was qualified to be appointed.”
All of Kiser’s recommendations were
“I can tell it was your baby – your true first-born budget,” Rodriguez-McDowell said. “Your values and the values of this board are well represented and I see that and appreciate it.”
She mentioned that the board deals with challenges that commissioners don’t have control over, including partners at the state and federal level that do not share their values.
This map shows light industrial areas in green within Matthews. Photo courtesy of Town of Matthews
Garrity Lamson
Bryant RodriguezMcDowell
Dunlap
CMS adds legal, speech policies
CHARLOTTE
– The CharlotteMecklenburg Board of Education
approved two new policies on June 9: Policy B-OLCA Office of Legal, Compliance, and Advocacy and Policy S-SFRS Student Free Speech.
The district said both policies strengthen compliance with current law and provide guidance within the school environment.
Office of Legal, Compliance, and Advocacy and Policy
Policy B-OLCA creates the Office of Legal, Compliance and Advocacy that will provide essential legal and operational support to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Specifically, OCLA will be responsible for: Governance advice and board support Legal strategy and oversight Compliance and accountability
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• Risk identification and mitigation Policy and advocacy alignment
• Ethical leadership and institutional integrity
Strategic advice on the evolution of education by keeping the board apprised of legal, regulatory and policy trends
“The Office of Legal Compliance and Advocacy represents a modern governance model that recognizes compliance alone is not enough,” said Stephanie Sneed, board chair.
“To effectively serve students and protect the district, we must ensure legal compliance, anticipate and mitigate risk, monitor emerging educational trends and legislation, and strategically advocate for policies that support our schools.
“This integrated structure was intentionally developed to provide the board and district with the comprehensive oversight and
RACKET
(continued from page 1A)
racquetball and tennis facilities adjacent to other R zoning.”
Urban was referring to residential districts. Urban wants to avoid situations where racket sports uses back into singlefamily homes or multifamily housing. This comes after commissioners recently heard complaints from residents about the amplified sound and music coming from Covenant Day School’s Warner Park behind their homes.
He requested Will provide a map of light industrial areas and adjacent zoning districts to gauge if this will be a problem.
Commissioner Kerry Lamson suggested allowing these uses with conditions.
Lamson said there are sections of the town ordinances that allow the development of recreational areas near residential with setback and buffer standards. He suggested carrying those same standards into light industrial areas.
“I think that’s a very good suggestion,” Will said. “I am familiar with what you’re talking about in the UDO and we can easily link the two together if that’s
forward-looking capacity necessary to navigate an increasingly complex educational landscape. This structure positions us to be proactive rather than reactive and strengthens our ability to govern effectively in an increasingly complex educational environment.”
Student Free Speech
Policy
S-SFRS, Student Free Speech, provides guidelines for student free speech that better supports the school environment and helps students engage in productive civic discourse.
“The policy committee along with our legal department are confident we have a policy that provides clarity and guidance for each of our school leaders that allows students to exercise their First Amendment rights while minimizing incidents that could cause disruption,” said Gregory “Dee” Rankin, board vice chair.
the board’s pleasure.”
No one from the public spoke during the June 8 public hearing.
Aaron Houck, an attorney with Robinson Bradshaw, spoke on behalf of the applicant during the public hearing. Houck clarified that the UDO permits these uses in light industrial districts but the applicant wanted to add these to the table of uses allowed by-right.
“The applicant doesn’t care about having the courts outdoors,” Houck said. “The uses that are listed were just pulled directly from the defined uses in the table of uses.”
Mayor John Higdon asked Will if they could simply remove the word “outdoor” from the request.
Higdon recalled being concerned when a shooting range concept was proposed near a residential area a few years ago but you can’t hear gunfire outside of Point Blank Range now.
“I have no concern if it’s indoor,” Higdon said. “I do share the concerns if it’s outdoor, however, right near a residential area.”
The request, tweaked for indoor uses, will return before the board next month.
REASONS
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classified as “caucasion/non-Hispanic.” Dunlap moved that Dodillet be replaced with African American James Smith and Calugar be replaced with African American Edward Lawson.
“I’m not going to support that for my district,” said Elaine Powell, who represents North Mecklenburg. “I’ve done the due diligence, and I think that Lyn is the best candidate for that slot.”
“Your statement was that you were only nominating those people whom you perceive to be qualified that were African American,” Leake said to Dunlap. “I would hope that we would still recognize the fact that African Americans are nominated like anybody else right now on this list.”
The substitute motion created some confusion about how commissioners would handle the vote but chairman Mark Jerrell got everything back on track.
“I don’t know if you all know this, but “Kip” Kiser interviewed the candidates,” Meier told colleagues. “He’s very qualified to make the recommendations.”
“We don’t question that but the board makes the determination,” Dunlap replied.
Jerrell said Dunlap raised a good point about diversity. He asked the clerk to provide a breakdown of diversity on the park and rec commission.
The commission consists of 11 members. Seven are designated as caucasian/non-Hispanic and four are African American. Eight are male and three are female.
Of the 12 applicants, six were Caucasian/nonHispanic, four were African American, one was Hispanic and one was designated as other. Nine were male and three were female.
“We live in a minority-majority community,” Dunlap reiterated.
After hearing the numbers, Jerrell said the board should also consider gender.
Both Dunlap and Meier’s motions failed. The board then considered vacancies individually. Colyer and Ashendorf were reappointed unanimously. A majority voted to appoint Holmes and Calugar. James Smith and Anthony Timmons were nominated for the seat Dodillet was recommended for, which delayed that particular vote.
Later, Powell and Dunlap agreed to a compromise by shifting geography associated with a couple of the seats to appoint both Dodillet and Lawson.
Dodillet has 25–plus years experience as a marketing manager. She has served as a volunteer neighborhood gardener and president of an arts booster club in New York. She’s lived in Mecklenburg County for four years.
Lawson, of Mint Hill, has lived in Mecklenburg County for 19 years. He has 30-plus years of experience in the banking sector with a specialty in cybersecurity. He plays golf and volunteers with First Tee of Charlotte.
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“We have to work within these roadblocks and limitations,” she said. “I am truly concerned about the politics of today and how certain bodies are trying to power-grab with an urgency that feels unprecedented.”
Rodriguez-McDowell shared a couple of items in the budget that she was especially excited about: 22 new positions in Child Family and Adult Services.
• Minimum wage for full-time employees raised to $25.53 per hour.
Rodriguez-McDowell was among multiple commissioners to raise concerns that Medic's minimum pay for first responders falling short of the county’s pay plan.
District 1 Commissioner Elaine Powell said she struggled with the idea that Medic employees wouldn’t be receiving the same living wage as Mecklenburg County. She described its funding as broken.
The agency is governed by a board appointed by commissioners with leaders from Mecklenburg County, Atrium Health and Novant Health. County subsidies cover expenses not paid for entirely by service fees from patients.
Rodriguez-McDowell said the funding model could use an update with other stakeholders contributing so that the financial burden doesn’t fall on taxpayers.
District 5 Commissioner Laura Meier told Medic employees in the crowd that members of the board support the idea of raising their pay to match the county’s minimum wage. She noted how they are waiting on a pay study.
“Hold tight. We got you. I hope you hear us,” she said. “We are very, very supportive of Medic, and we want to see you paid more because that’s what you deserve.”
Meier congratulated the manager on his first budget and acknowledged the hard work of staff who contributed to the effort.
“I know it was tough,” Meier said. “ You dug deep, and you went through it with a fine-tooth comb. I know that was hard and timeconsuming, so thank you.”
Meier thanked her colleagues on the board for being open and showing concern for citizens. She is glad they invested more in crisis assistance, specifically the mobile mental health response team.
“The fact is, we just didn’t know about them at all,” Meier said. “No one on this board knew about them. We just kind of take it for granted that they’re there, and I’m just so excited this board saw the value in that.”
District 2 Commissioner Vilma Leake believes this is the best budget she has seen over the years. She credited Bryant for creating one that “meets the needs of all people of Mecklenburg County.”
She acknowledged the support that the county gives to residents.
“When we talk about taxing, we can’t afford to pay any more taxes in Mecklenburg County,” Leake said.
At-Large Commissioner Arthur Griffin Jr. didn’t vote in favor of the last budget but he supports this one for not having a tax increase and the manager’s support of a Balanced Scorecard and SMART goals.
“I think the citizens of Mecklenburg County will be better off, and the residents that we serve, because of this new approach for doing business here in Mecklenburg County,” Griffin said.
While Griffin also appreciates how the budget invests in county employees, he still has concerns about racial disparities, specifically mentioning how African Americans die prematurely more than any other racial group in Mecklenburg County.
Commissioner Leigh Altman echoed Griffin’s sentiments about a Balanced Scorecard.
“The Balanced Scorecard will help us ensure that our residents are getting value for the programs that we’re investing in so that we continue to be as nimble in the delivery of services and provide the best value for the money,” Altman said.
Altman was also pleased the county was able to fully fund the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools budget as well as maintain the same property tax rate.
CALENDAR
MODERN, ELEVATED LIVING
Elevate Summer Celebrations with Easy Backyard Recipes Featuring Fresh
New bakery pops up
CHARLOTTE —
Thoughtful Baking Co., a Charlotte-based bakery known for its presence at regional farmers markets, has opened a storefront at 4418-A Monroe Road.
Thoughtful Baking Co. has developed a following through its sourcing, seasonal cooking and Southern-inspired dishes. The opening of a permanent location allows the business to expand its offerings and operate from a dedicated space for the first time.
The Oakhurst neighborhood storefront introduces an extended menu of savory and sweet items. Guests can expect banana pudding, milk and cookies dessert jars, classic Southern pies by the slice, pound cake and salted chocolate
chunk cookies, alongside the bakery’s signature quiches and pot pies, which have become staples of the brand.
“This storefront has been something I have been working toward for a long time,” Chef and Owner Mary Jayne Wilson said. “It gives us the space to grow, to offer more and to create new recipes that were not possible before. I am excited to welcome people in and share this next step.”
In addition to expanding its menu, the new location will allow Thoughtful Baking Co. to introduce items not previously available at market, while continuing to prioritize ingredients sourced from local farms and producers. On the web: thoughtfulbakingco.com
FOOD BRIEFS
store in Ballantyne at 9 a.m. Oct. 14. The store, located at 11550 North Community House Road, will employ about 450 people.
“We’ve put a lot of care into hiring and training our new team, and we’re looking for more enthusiastic candidates to join us before opening day,” store manager Patrick McGuinness said. “Construction on the new store is well underway, and we’re thrilled to begin the countdown to Oct. 14 when we will welcome the community through our doors.”
Full-time roles are available throughout the store, including positions in sushi, pizza, restaurant foods, deli, cheese, seafood and bakery. The team is also hiring parttime positions, including cashiers. Apply at jobs.wegmans.com/ ballantyne.
Breweries win at World Beer Cup
PHILADELPHIA – North Carolina
breweries earned 11 medals at the 2026 World Beer Cup awards ceremony on April 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The World Beer Cup, hosted by the Brewers Association, received 8,166 entries from 1,644 breweries representing 50 nations. North Carolina’s 2026 World Beer Cup
medalists include: • Gold – Raspberry Rush, Armored Cow Brewing Co. – Charlotte (Fruit Wheat Beer) • Gold – Sunny Monkey, Brewers at 4001 Yancey – Charlotte (Berliner-Style Weisse) On the web: drinkncbeer.org
Jeff’s Bagel Run adds to menu CHARLOTTE – Jeff’s Bagel Run has launched Ice Cream Summer, a seasonal menu available through Aug. 23 featuring limited-time cream cheeses and drinks. The lineup includes two cream cheeses created with Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: Scoop Froggy Frog, inspired by mint chocolate chip Italian ice, and Mango Cream Cheese. Returning drinks include the Melted Snowcone dirty soda and Ice Cream Sundae Latte. New offerings include Cookies and Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew and Mango Sorbet Jeff’s Jolt, an energy drink made with Red Bull. The brand has shops in Blakeney (9941 Rea Road) and Ayrsley (2130 Ayrsley Town Blvd.).
Baking Co. rolled
Photo courtesy of Thoughtful Baking Co.
ABOVE: Items available during Ice Cream Summer at Jeff’s Bagel Run. BELOW: Mango Cream Cheese is ready to be spread on your bagels. Photos courtesy of Jeff’s Bagel Run
JINYA
Food Lion employs more than 82,000 associates across its 1,100-plus stores in 10 states. Here are associates serving 30- to 45-year milestones in 2026.
Food Lion celebrates employee milestones
SALISBURY
– Food Lion has recognized a record number of more than 400 associates who are celebrating 30 to 45 years of service in 2026, including 100 employees working in stores across the Charlotte area.
Food Lion celebrated these associates April 30 during its annual Service Awards ceremony.
“Every day, our associates strengthen the emotional connection we have with our neighbors in the towns and cities we serve,” said Greg Finchum, president of Food Lion. “Because of them, customers choose Food Lion to nourish their families.”
Food Lion employs more than 82,000 associates across its 1,100-plus stores in 10 states. Associates recognized from the Weekly’s coverage area are as follows:
30 years
• Lisa Ammons, pricing coordinator from Charlotte
Donna Crowell, produce sales manager from Charlotte
Debra Moss, cake decorator from Charlotte Maria Alarcon-Navarro, receiver from Matthews
• Brian Barbee, frozen food dairy associate from Monroe
Tracy Hubbard, customer service manager from Monroe
35 years of service
• Hannah Patel, receiver from Charlotte
Diana Tran, sales associate from Charlotte
• Robin Dunn, pricing coordinator from Matthews
Craig Carr, assistant store manager from Monroe
40 years of service
• Kathy Jeff, customer service leader from Charlotte
Susan Underwood, sales associate from Monroe
• John Helms, produce sales manager from Waxhaw
CLASSIFIEDS
Kaizen Software Systems Inc. (Charlotte, NC) seeks: Soft. Engr.: Dev. & maint. web apps using JavaScript, Python, React & Node.js. Agile envt. MS in CS/CE or rel. + 1 yr exp req. Freq. travl. DevOps Engr.: Design & manage cloud infra w/ AWS & Terraform. MS in CS/CE or rel. + 1 yr exp req. Freq. travl. Apply: nirav.patel@kaizensoftwaresystems.com . EOE.
Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC in Charlotte, NC seeks Net. Eng. Lead w/ Bach. or frgn. eqv. in Mgmt. Info. Syst., Comp. Sci., or other tech. rel. fld. & 5 yr exp. as a Net. Eng. Lead or sub. sim. pos. 100% telecommuting permitted anywhere in the US (some states excluded). Salary: $149,000 - $160,000/yr. Actual base sal. may vary based upon, but not ltd. to, rel. exp., time in role, base sal., internal peers, prior perf., bus. sector, & geo. loc. In addition to base sal., the competitive comp. pkg. may incl., depending on the role, participation in an incentive prog. linked to perf. (for ex., ann. discretionary bonus prog., or other ann. or non-ann. incentive or sales plans). Send resume to Alison.McGlincy@allspringglobal.com (Ref. No. 3851).
Photo courtesy of Food Lion
Spectrum awards $23,000 to area nonprofits
CHARLOTTE – Spectrum has donated $23,000 to seven nonprofits in the Charlotte area through its employee-driven grants program.
Recent Spectrum Employee Community Grant recipients are:
Autism After 18 - $1,000 to provide regular, ongoing classes, workshops and social events for young adults with autism in the Charlotte area.
• The Bulb Gallery - $1,000 to support mobile farmers markets that distribute fresh,
Matthews celebrates Juneteenth with program
nutritious produce in underserved neighborhoods.
• Charlotte Bilingual Preschool - $1,000 to support free early education to children facing language and economic barriers.
• Florence Crittenton Services - $5,000 to provide basic needs including a safe place to live, healthy meals, medical care and trauma-informed therapy for pregnant and single mothers aged 14-20.
Handz of Hope - $5,000 for basic need services to individuals
MATTHEWS – The Town of Matthews invites the community to celebrate Juneteenth on June 18 at the Matthews Community Center.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with vendors and refreshments available. The program begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
The event is hosted by April C. Turner of Life As Art Productions. Turner, a folklorist and community educator, works alongside town staff to help plan and guide the annual celebration.
Woman accused of using U-Haul in attempted murder
and families in the community that are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness and financial hardship.
Matthews HELP Center - $5,000 for families needing financial assistance with rent, utilities and childcare.
• Transformation by Charlotte Angels - $5,000 to fund its Bright Futures program to provide trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing initiatives supporting children in foster care.
“Spectrum Employee
MONROE – A woman faces attempted murder charges after a man was struck with a U-Haul truck, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives developed evidence indicating that Brittney Lynn Carnevale, 34, allegedly struck the man with the truck, trapping him underneath the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office described it as a violent assault. The victim received extensive medical treatment, according to the sheriff’s office.
Community Grants support local nonprofits that hold a meaningful connection to the Spectrum employees who nominate them, and to the communities they serve,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president of Spectrum Community Impact. “We’re increasing our investment in the program, in support of our employees’ dedication to volunteer work and vital community organizations that enhance the lives of local residents.”
Spectrum Employee Community Grants support nonprofits nominated by employees with a personal connection to the organization through at least one year of their own volunteer work.
Recipients deliver a range of social services to underserved community members, including food pantries, homeless shelters, clothing distribution, job training for veterans and paying overdue rent and utility bills for those in crisis.
CATS holds emergency simulation NEWS BRIEFS
This year’s program will include a screening of the film “The Language You Cry In,” a documentary that explores the power of a song, tracing the story of a family from Sierra Leone to the Gullah Sea Islands of South Carolina. Through themes of slavery, war, freedom and home, the film highlights how cultural memory and music can preserve identity and reconnect people to their roots.
Following the screening, panelists representing African American artistic, cultural and community traditions will discuss ways to activate these connections to create the story of our collective future. Panelists include:
• Dr. Tanure Ojaide, Africana studies professor at UNC Charlotte
• Elisha “Mother” Minter, NC Road Scholar, author and folklorist
• Jasmine Corbett-Warren, political science professor at Johnson C. Smith University
The evening will conclude with an interactive performance by the Charlotte African Drum & Dance Collective. Audience discussion and participation is encouraged throughout the evening
On the web: matthewsnc.gov/ specialevents
Deputies arrested Carnevale on June 3 on charges of attempted first-degree murder and larceny of a motor vehicle.
She remains in custody without bond at the Union County Detention Center. Her next court date is Aug. 6.
St. Stephen Treasure Sale returns this weekend
CHARLOTTE – The St. Stephen Treasure Sale is planned for June 12 and 13. One of Charlotte’s largest thrift and rummage sales for charity will feature a variety of unique housewares, furniture, jewelry, yard and sports equipment, vintage items and antiques. This year’s beneficiaries are Feeding Charlotte and Center of Hope.
Organizers hope to match or exceed last year’s record-breaking $27,000 in proceeds.
The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 12 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13 at St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte. On the web: ststephenumc.net/ treasure-sale/
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Transit System simulated an attack involving an improvised explosive device detonation and vehicle ramming incident overnight on June 6 and 7 at the Charlotte Transportation Center.
The security exercise was done in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration and local, state and federal public safety agencies. It brought together transit personnel, first responders, emergency management professionals and federal partners to evaluate operational readiness, strengthen interagency coordination and identify areas for improvement in emergency response planning.
“Exercises like this are critical to ensuring our teams are prepared to respond quickly and effectively during major incidents,” said Eric Osnes, chief safety and security officer at CATS. “While we hope to never face an event like the one simulated, training alongside our public safety partners helps us strengthen our preparedness and enhance the safety and security of our riders, employees and community.”
The exercise had more than 200 participants, including actors portraying victims, and involved simulated emergency response activities and extensive coordination among participating agencies.
CATS said no actual emergency occurred, and the exercise was carefully planned and controlled to ensure the safety of participants, riders and the public.
