JESSE MATTHEWS
EDUCATION
- Graduate of Hueytown high 1977
- Lawson State Community College
- Bessemer State Community College
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
EMPLOYMENT
- Alabama Power Company (25 years to present), Physicians Physical Therapy PC.
- Bessemer City Council (12 years), Executive Committee Alabama League of Municipalities, Alabama Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Former President of Pipe Shop Community Association Member (13 years, from 1985 to 1998), Bessemer Chamber of Commerce Member, Bessemer Fourth of July Committee, Jesus Christian Daycare & School Board Member, Israel Williams Scholarship Fund Board Member, Deacon Board Ministry & Youth Advisor – New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Member of the Concerned Citizens of Bessemer, JCDC - Jefferson Democratic Conference Committee, ADC - Alabama Democratic Conference Committee, ALA-LM - Alabama League of Municipalities, CED- Committee, Executive Committee, ABCLEO- Alabama Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, NLC - National League of Cities and CED - Community & Economic Development Committee.
GOALS
I continue to seek funding for District 6 for community improvements. I support the Bessemer Board of Education and the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. It is my goal to push for accountability in city spending by putting a cap on legal fees and carefully monitoring our utility contracts. The City of Bessemer has seen tremendous growth in the past eight years and I will continue to support economic and community development. I will continue to listen and report citizens’ complaints and problems within the district and work with the other elected officials to ensure proper budgeting for the city and its employees.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Initiated and supported the creation of McNeil Park
- Installed several new stop signs, lights, and eliminated overgrown lots in District 6 communities
- Allocated $20,000 for the elimination of water and drainage problems in the Pipe Shop and Carriage Hills communities
- Voted to approve over 3 million dollars in funding to our school system, this year alone
- Initiated the Sanitary Sewer Project for the Pipe Shop Community
- Increased the city’s revenue by the continued support of new business and current business growth
- Continue to negotiate and vote on contracts (over $11 million dollars in new deals) that ensures control over our utility company
- Ensuring future financial growth by supporting the annexation of 946 acres into the city. (This “new land” which includes the Northern Beltline will bring millions of dollars of additional revenue to our city from new businesses).
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