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INSIDE ▼ Report offers I-77 South solutions
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PAGE 4A Friday, July 3, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 26
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Leaders reject camera proposal for now by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Board of Commissioners has voted against a proposal to add 25 video cameras to downtown but that decision may not be permanent. Commissioners felt rushed into making a decision before a holiday weekend. Some spoke about the need for more research and public engagement. Commissioners were receptive
to learning more about the camera system when Police Chief James Avens Jr. presented the idea June 22. They asked staff to bring back more information for the July 13 meeting. But a special meeting was convened on July 1 because the cost of the police chief’s proposal was set to increase by $16,000 after July 3. “I am a little miffed that we had to have this meeting today under the threat of a price increase,” Mayor John Higdon said.
He preferred to give the public more time to weigh in on the issue. Town Manager Melia James said company representatives had previously mentioned the possibility of a nationwide price increase. Commissioner Brian Hacker agreed with Higdon about having the special meeting before a holiday weekend. He noted that the board tabled the issue until its July meeting to get answers to questions and engage the public.
“I just feel like we’re pushing this through,” Hacker said. “It’s got bad optics.” Commissioner Jennefer Garrity said her biggest concern from the June 22 presentation centered on policy. She said the town doesn’t have a policy in place regarding the camera system. “That’s a huge red flag for me,” Garrity said. “I feel like we’re getting the cart before the horse.” She rattled off a list of topics she’d like the policy to address: purpose, scope of use, acceptable
Let's celebrate Event billed as largest drone show in NC, 2A
Try some new peanut recipes, 1B
NBA legend Muggsy Bogues joined the celebration to honor the workforce that has helped connect communities and keep the Charlotte area moving since 1976. Photos courtesy of CATS
50 years of transit
CATS emphasizes workforce at celebration
Long journey Novel explores immigration, 3B
Safety tips Stay safe around the grill & fiireworks, 2B
CHARLOTTE – Transit employees, industry partners and local officials gathered June 24 to celebrate 50 years of public transit in the region. The event featured one of Charlotte’s original transit vehicles, historic bus designs and recognition of employees. “For 50 years, public transit has helped connect people to opportunity, but the true story of this milestone is the people behind it,” said Brent Cagle, interim CEO of CATS. “Every day, operators, mechanics, dispatchers, customer service representatives and countless others show up committed to serving our community and helping residents get where they need to go safely and reliably. Their dedication has touched generations of families, supported our region’s growth and helped make Charlotte the city it is today.” Transit Management of Charlotte, whose history dates back to the launch of Charlotte’s first city-run bus service in 1976, was also recognized during see 50 YEARS, Page 3A
CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle addresses the crowd.
Matthews planning director earns promotion MATTHEWS – The Town of Matthews has promoted Jay Camp to assistant town manager. Camp has worked for the town since 2006 and has served as planning director for the past seven years. He most recently served as interim assistant town manager. Camp will lead efforts to shape and implement strategic
see CAMERAS, Page 3A
CATS plans to update fares
WHAT'S INSIDE
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uses, access to controls, oversight, auditing and security. The price increase didn’t sit well with her, either. “I can’t speak for everybody here tonight, but I think we wanted to have this meeting because, obviously, if we can save $16,000, we want to do that,” Garrity said. “But I think we have to be mindful that we’re just not ready to make this decision, in my opinion.”
initiatives that strengthen economic vitality, community character and long-term resilience. Primary areas of focus include community and downtown development, including business retention and expansion, capital planning, housing affordability and quality-of-life initiatives. “Jay has consistently demonstrated thoughtful
leadership, sound judgment and a deep commitment to serving the Matthews community,” Town Manager Melia James said. “His collaborative approach, institutional knowledge and proven success in building strong relationships in the community make him an outstanding addition to the town’s executive leadership team."
Camp is honored to serve. “Matthews is an exceptional community, and I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me," Camp said. "I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated employees, elected officials, residents and community partners as we move important projects forward and build on the town’s success.”
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Transit System plans to roll out programs to modernize and grow ridership while ensuring a convenient and secure experience for customers. Fare Modernization will introduce new ways to pay for a ride. New electronic ticket validators will be added to light rail platforms and onboard buses and streetcars, allowing CATS to monitor ridership trends for service planning and manage fare compliance. Fare Modernization will simplify the fare payment process for riders through expansion of available CATS fare capping and reducing several existing fare products into one pay-as-you-go system. Riders will automatically receive daily, weekly and monthly fare caps rather than determining which product or pass best meets their service needs. Pay-as-you-go allows riders to receive the benefits of unlimited daily, weekly or monthly passes through fare capping, without purchasing in advance. Additional benefits of the Fare Modernization program include: • Online account management to load value, check balance, view account history and track progress towards fare caps. • Free transfers within a two-hour window for fares paid with the CATS-Pass app, contactless credit/debit card or smart card. • Simplification of fare structure through reduction of the number of fare media and products. • Expanded network of locations to purchase fare products and reload funds to registered accounts across the entire CATS service area. • Expansion of reduced-fare eligibility and simplification of approval process. CATS’ new Fare Ambassadors program will launch this fall in partnership with Block by Block. The program introduces a team of trained people tasked with conducting fare inspections, providing rider education and focusing on ways to reduce fare evasion. “These improvements make riding CATS simpler, more convenient and more customer-focused,” said Elizabeth Presutti, chief administration officer at CATS. “Fare Modernization and Fare Ambassadors will help us enhance the customer experience, ensuring all members of our community have a way to ride while supporting future system growth.” CATS expects implementation of both programs to take 12 to 18 months.