Honor promised naming rights to World War II Veteran Neubert Purser

Mr. Neubert Purser was a World War II Veteran who served in the US Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge from which he sustained a life threatening injury from an exploding shell and was hospitalized for eleven months.  He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service.  After serving his country he married his high school sweetheart and was married for 52 years and had three children.  He worked hard saving every penny and in 1953 he purchased 72 acres off Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Matthews, North Carolina.  He was looking forward to his lifelong dream of farming his land.

In September/October of 2003 Mr. Purser was approached by a representative from the Public Trust for Land and was asked if he would be interested in preserving  his property as open space and developing it into a park.  He love his land and his desire was to farm and leave it as an inheritance for his children.  Mr. Purser was approached once again by the Public Trust for Land and still was not interested in selling his property and unaware that the representative from the Public Trust for Land was also representing the Town of Matthews.

Unable to persuade Mr. Purser into selling his farm the town then decided to take his property from him by condemnation.  On February 14, 2005 the Mayor and Commissioners voted 6 to 1 to condemn Mr. Purser's farm for a park.  The vote was supported by former Mayor Lee Myers and former Commissioners Paul Bailey, Suzanne Gulley, Paula Lester and current Mayor James P. Taylor and Commissioner Kress Query.  The only no vote was former Commissioner Jack Davis.  Yes, Mr. Purser was paid for his land as required by law, but as former Commissioner Jack Davis said "it has never been a matter of what they will offer to buy becuase Mr. Purser's statement is that he will not sell."

In Chapter 136 of the North Carolina General Statues, Article 9 there is a section that provides a "quick take" power.  Chapter 136 condemnation does not require a 30 day notice letter.  Matthews Town Attorney Charles Buckley deposited funds needed at the county deeds office and was given the deed to Mr. Purser's farm.  Mr. Purser awoke one morning only to learn he no longer owned his beloved farm.  "That blow was a bad as what I got overseas."  "It knocked me plain off my feet up until that moment I didn't know what eminent domain was, but I soon found out I had been sold out by my own country."  said Mr. Purser to Karen Welsh of the Carolina Journal.

Sadly on March 30, 2013 Mr. Purser passed away and just nine days after on April 8, 2013 with the family still grieving the town proceeded forward to claim the prize, the Purser family farm.  On February 10, 2014 Mayor James P. Taylor "noted that the name of the park has not been established and should not be referenced by anything specific at this time since naming rights have not been committed."  The planning of the park has begun and before this statement the park was called Purser-Husley Park, now it is referred to as Highway 51 Park.  According to the closed session minutes naming rights were promised to Mr. Purser, but now it is uncertain if Matthews will be honoring this.

Mr. Purser was called to serve during our nations most perilous time in World War II.  He answered the call and served with honor.  If Matthews does not hold to the naming rights as promised this would be a final act of treachery and would bring more shame to the Town of Matthews.  It is time for Matthews to honor the agreement.  By not honoring the naming of the park after Mr. Purser as promised this would be adding insult to injury.

PLEASE SIGN AND SUPPORT THIS PETITION AND TELL MATTHEWS TO HONOR THE PROMISES MADE TO THE PURSER FAMILY.  NAME THE FUTURE PARK "PURSER PARK"

If you have any questions regarding this condemnation please visit  www.matthewswatch.com.  Due to space provided I am unable to post all documentation.   Thank you