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Mayors

Butch Matthews Runs for Mayor, Hopes for Repeat Performance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Butch Matthews, a former Decatur mayor candidate, is running for mayor for the fourth time, with a renewed sense of optimism after a previous loss. Matthews, 67, has a long history of public service, serving on the City Council from 1992 to 1996 and running three times for the District 1 City Council seat before winning on his fourth attempt. He believes his extensive experience and ability to work with others will serve him well in the mayoral role.

Key Takeaways:

  • Matthews is running for mayor for the fourth time, after a previous loss in the 2020 election, and is hoping to win this time due to his increased resilience and available time to campaign.
  • Matthews has spent over 49 years working at Kroger, from which he retired earlier this year, and plans to use his experience working with budgets to inform his mayoral decisions.
  • As mayor, Matthews aims to address several key issues, including the need for reliable public transportation, the condition of the city's streets, and the recent fatal police shooting of Steve Perkins.
  • Matthews believes that his people skills and ability to work as part of a team will be essential in addressing the city's problems, similar to the successful term he served on the City Council from 1992 to 1996.
  • Matthews plans to investigate the possibility of reinstating passenger trains to Decatur, with a potential line running through Birmingham and New Orleans, and another line going north from Decatur to Nashville and then up the East Coast.
  • Matthews is critical of the Sixth Avenue beautification project, suggesting that the city should prioritize other entrances and be more responsible with tax dollars.

Statistics:

  • Matthews has spent over 49 years working at Kroger.
  • He served on the City Council from 1992 to 1996.
  • He has run for office three previous times, including for the District 1 City Council seat and the 2020 mayoral election.
  • The Decatur police shooting of Steve Perkins was fatal.
  • The new Police Chief, Torry Mack, has been hired to address issues stemming from the shooting.
  • The Sixth Avenue beautification project has a budget of $10 million.
  • The city of Decatur pays $104,000 annually to rent a Christmas tree for display on the lawn of the Alabama Center for Arts.

Sources:

  • Aug. 12 Butch Matthews is a candidate for mayor again, and this time he's hoping history will repeat itself.
  • bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432

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