Michael Matthews' application for Ward 3 Councillor

*************************************************************************** Michael S. Matthews 1066 Wellington Street East Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A-2N9 Phone: 946-0434 E-mail: [email protected]

July 30, 2002 Dear Mayor and City Councillors, This letter and accompanying addenda is a little bit in the way of introducing myself to your group.

I realize at the time of this writing none of you have met with me before however I hope I've managed to meet with some of you if not all of you during the interim leading up to your selection. You should find enclosed a copy of two letters of reference: one from my employer and one from my church.

These items in conjunction with this letter are just to get the ball rolling.

Please feel free to use my contact information at the top of this page to ask for any clarification, or even just to chat.

Now about myself. My name is Michael Shane Matthews.

I'm 41 years old. I'm fortunate to be married to a wonderful woman Rhonda (Macleod) Matthews who is the "love of my life."

We have two happy healthy daughters: Emily who is 9 and Cayley who is 8.

These two attend Alex Muir School and consistently receive grades in the range of A+ to B- but when a C occasionally appears we work together and have it turned around by next report.

I was born in the Sault December 1960 and was raised by my mother and father in a brick three-bedroom home on Pine Street across from the Armouries.

I was the youngest of three boys and although my brothers have had to leave town to work, my parents are still healthy and living in town.

I started working while still in school, at age 15.

During my summer break I worked with the Y.M.C.A. assisting a councillor on the guided wilderness canoe trips they ran at that time.

At 16, while attending Lakeway C&VS, I worked part time for the Algoma Central Railway cleaning debris from railway cars and used those proceeds to pay my way through flight school.

In February of my 17th year, I had completed all requirements for licensed private pilot, the caveat being you can't actually be licensed until you're 18 so I had to wait a little.

Shortly after this I graduated high school and hired on with the Algoma Central in train service as a Conductor, which is still the job I hold now. Although I wasn't yet 18, I was a good worker.

During the initial years with the A.C.R, I had to go live and work in Hawk Junction until I could build up enough senority to return.

During my time in Hawk Jct., I built the first brick house in town, the pre-fab 2-storey four bedroom home actually took me over two years to complete.

The A.C.R. had a bunkhouse at Hawk that served as my home during this time.

As a sideline to my regular conducting job I owned and operated my own successful business called Hawk Satellite Systems, with over 40000 gross in sales its first year.

I volunteered with the local fire department and anywhere else one can be useful in a small town.

My time in Hawk was productive and I made many long lasting friends.

In 1987, when I could exercise my seniority to secure a job back in the Sault, I returned home.

My home since I returned has been 1066 Wellington Street East and will continue to be so until November of next year when my wife completes her Masters in Physiotherapy at the University of Toronto.

Thereafter we will be looking for a larger house to accommodate the two more children we wish to have to make it four in all.

Having said all that I can now say I'm confident that I am at a perfect stage in my life to provide a service to the people of Ward 3.

While my volunteer efforts in the community are substantial, I do not wish to list them here.

I feel they are personal and not for the placement on a "resume"; I will of course answer any verbal questions on this matter.

Suffice it to say I enjoy people and helping out where I can, if I am selected for the position of Ward 3 Councillor I have every intention of running in the next election and continuing with the local politics in my home town.

I come to this decision with no "secret agendas".

I have no pet peeves and only wish to complete any work left outstanding by the vacating Councillor.

What will make this a win-win situation both for the people of Ward 3 and myself is I will receive invaluable experience to prepare for the future election.

Sincerely, Michael S. Matthews *************************************************************************** ALGOMA CENTRAL RAILWAY OFFICE: 429 Hudson Street Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6C 3P4

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 9500 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 6YI

Mayor & Councilors City Of Sault Ste Marie Ontario

August 06 2002

Re: Mr. Michael Matthews as Councillor Candidate:

Please accept this letter as a referral supporting Mr. Matthews' application for Ward 3 City Councillor.

While I have known Mr. Matthews for a relatively short time, he has proven to be a steady reliable worker in the performance of his duties on the Algoma Central Railway.

Should Mr. Matthews be successful in his application, I am sure his constituents will be well represented.

Greg Wolnairski Superintendent Algoma Central Railway.

*************************************************************************** Central United Church 160 Spring Street Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 3A5

Tel: (705) 253-3264 Fax: (705) 253-4786 E-mail: [email protected]

Re: Mike Matthews reference August 6, 2002

To Whom It May Concern:

Mike Matthews, a member of Central United Church, is a candidate for the vacated seat of Ward 3 Alderman.

I am happy to write this letter of recommendation for Mike.

I have known Mike for a little over a year, since I have been in Sault Ste. Marie as Interim Minister of Central United Church.

On August 11, 2001, I officiated at his marriage to Rhonda MacLeod.

In preparation for this event I got to know both Mike and Rhonda very well.

I can vouch for Mike's sincerity and careful attention to detail in these preparations.

The couple did far more work on researching and putting together the ceremony than I would have expected; and the results were spectacular!

Mike has taught adult education classes in Central Church before I was here, and his reputation as a teacher is very positive.

But I have seen him first-hand administrating our church's web page, and his dedication and thoroughness has shined through the results of this effort.

Mike is honest and forthright. He is passionate about his pursuits, whether in the church,, at work, in the community and in his personal life.

I'm sure he would represent the people of the 3rd Ward with the same dedication and integrity that I have witnessed in my associations with him. And I am happy to commend him to the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, City Council for the office he seeks.

Sincerely, W. Brewster Willcox Interim Minister ***************************************************************************