The
Thursday, October 21, 2004
KINGS
He
Vol. 116 No. 43
MOUNTAIN
Since 1889
‘50 Cents
Jinal home
game
1B
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
After Becky Moser spends 40
hours a week at her paying job, she
gives around 30 more hours to find-
ing homes for what she calls “velcro
dogs.” Moser is the North Carolina
chapter coordinator for Mid-
Atlantic Great Dane Rescue.
Ask her why she’s so devoted
and Moser will give you a simple
answer.
“Without me and my other 60
volunteers they don’t have any-
thing.”
The Kings Mountain woman and
Mid-Atlantic advocate for a some-
times misunderstood breed. While
Danes often reach 120 pounds and
30 to 32 inches at the shoulders,
they prefer to spend most of their
time inside sleeping and cuddling
with their owners.
“They're lazy. If you have a
couch, you have room for a Dane,”
Moser jokes.
She shares her 1,800-square-foot
home with Molly, Dottie and
Woolly.
The dogs do need walks or a
chance to play hard for 15 minutes
intervals. Like greyhounds, they are
sprinters instead of endurance run-
ners. Mid-Atlantic requires all its
adoptive parents to allow dogs in
the house at all times and to have a
fenced yard.
If the dogs are such good com-
panions, why the need for a rescue
group? According to Moser, new
owners often buy the cute, clumsy
puppies without understanding
how quickly they grow or how to
train them.
ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD
Becky Moser has adopted three Great Danes. The affectionate breed
enjoys spending time with people.
Becky Moser finds homes
for misunderstood breed
“They think love is enough,” she
said.
Puppies rapidly reach counter top
height. Some owners feel they've
lost control and chain the dog out-
doors. Often that leads to emotional
neglect creating an unsocialized dog
which jumps on people as a greet-
ing.
B ometimes Moser is able to help
owners work with their dogs and
not resort to adoption.
Divorce is the second most com-
mon reason Danes are put up for
adoption. Owners often have to
move into an apartment and either
cannot have the dog there or cannot
pay for its upkeep. Other Danes are
rescued from shelters.
Molly was found wandering
through a Charlotte park. Woolly
was given to the rescue organization
after someone received her as sur-
prise gift and could not care for her.
Moser purchased Dottie from a
backyard breeder because she says
the dog is temperamental and prob-
ably would have ended up with a
rescue organization.
“She’s made tremendous
progress.”
Breeders who fail to screen
would-be owners and who continue
to breed dogs with problems are the
bane of Moser’s existence.
When Mid-Atlantic gets a dog, he
or she first goes to an Iredell County
volunteer for an intake. After a few
weeks of assessment, a foster home
is typically the next move. There
dogs learn indoor living and basic
commands.
Occasionally the organization will
See Dogs, 2A
—1 State candidates
views at Sh
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
State House and Senate candidates squared off
Tuesday night during a forum at Cleveland
Community College.
Senate District 46 contenders Democrat incum-
bent Walter Dalton and Republican challenger
Jim Testa were the first two to answer questions
posed by moderator Dr. Steve Thornburg.
Both Dalton and Testa said they opposed video
poker machines, however Testa owns a truck stop
which has the machines. Dalton supports allow-
ing a referendum on a state lottery which would
raise funds for education. Testa said he was
opposed, fearing the money would be used for
other purposes.
Dalton touted North Carolina’s number one
ranking by Site Selection, a business magazine.
Dalton said the state should continue investing in
workforce development, funding for community
colleges and business incentive packages. He list-
ed supporting a $20 million program to fund
infrastructure development and a fast track pro-
gram which would get high school students in
college technical programs quicker as proof of his
pro-business agenda.
Testa advocated including existing businesses
in incentives and lowering state corporate and
personal income tax. Testa accused the state of
reacting to NAFTA by raising taxes three years in
a row.
Dalton said existing businesses may apply for
incentives when they increase jobs. He wants to
close loopholes in the corporate income tax.
Both men said they supported a federal
amendment banning gay marriage.
On medical malpractice, Testa wants to restrict
the percent of the settlement, restrict the percent
awarded lawyers to 50 percent and put a cap on
See Forum, 9A
to receive call to se
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
Kings Mountain Police reservist and National
Guardsman Donald Martin Jr. is leaving for Iraq.
Martin is motor sergeant with a Charlotte
Army Guard unit. Until six months ago, he
served with the Kings Mountain unit, transfer-
ring to the Charlotte engineering unit for a pro-
motion.
While Martin cannot say where in Iraq he'll be
stationed or exactly when he’s leaving, he does
know the deployment will last between 18 to 24
months.
Martin returned last September from serving a
year of active duty in Maryland guarding a gov-
ernment facility. His wife Penny Martin says this
deployment will be different. She’s not sure when
he'll get to call home. There won't be monthly
visits either.
The Martins recently learned Donald's depar-
ture date had been moved up. They had planned
a farewell dinner but had to cancel. Both are
keeping a positive attitude.
“We've got a good support system, friends,
family,” Penny Martin said.
The family attended a cook-out Tuesday in
Donald Martin's honor at the Kings Mountain
Police Department. Officers, firefighters, city
employees and city council members also attend-
ed.
Fraley teaches Arabic in Navy
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
that is difficult to learn in and a chicken and rice dish. Ta os
the classroom. The lengthy preparation
“I immersed myself into time keeps Fraley from
the culture. I learned the much Middle Eastern cook-
A Kings Mountain native
is using her Arabic language
skills and knowledge of
Middle Eastern culture in
the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Marcia Fraley is assigned to
a Costal Warfare Unit. While
she cannot give details,
Fraley did describe her unit
as “highly deployable.”
The Navy recruited Fraley
because of her Arabic fluen-
cy. Spending eight years in
Charlotte's Arabic commu-
nity taught her a language
&
food, the dress,” she said.
Fraley would visit the
mosque wearing an ankle
length dress. The prayers
were said in chants more
than spoken words.
“You can’t just say the
prayers,” she said.
At Middle Eastern gro-
ceries she spoke fluently
with shopkeepers. Today,
she occasionally prepares
some of her favorite Middle
Eastern dishes like squash
stuffed with beef and rice
ciate with pies.
Ea
5 hp
ing. Many of the main dish
recipes use cinnamon and
other spices Americans asso-
Today she teaches classes
for Navy personnel instruct-
ing them in basic Arabic
phrases. Fraley also fields
questions on the culture
many she says misunder-
stand. Once someone in her
unit announced that
American soldiers would
have to shoot child soldiers.
See Fraley, 2A
had just
tral office
East Elementary principal
Jerry Hoyle :
called a fac
ulty meet-
give
elby forum
Party leaders differ
on who won debate
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
_ National political figures aren't the only people
talking about the three debates between presiden-
tial contenders. .
_ Cleveland County Republican Party Chairman
Wes Westmoreland called Democrat contender
John Kerry a “show horse,” saying his 20 years in
the Senate made him a polished speaker.
However, Westmoreland believes Bush has the
substance that counts. .
Democrat Party Chairperson Betsy Wells
declared Kerry the winner,
John Kerry was absolutely presidential and
awesome,” she said. :
Democrats have met at their Shelby headquar-
ters to watch all the debates. Wells describes the
mood as “upbeat.”
_ Wells believes Kerry rose above what she called
“Bush's attempt to paint him as a flip-flopper” by
addressing issues and having a plan. .
Westmoreland disagreed, saying Kerry has not
revealed a plan, unlike Bush.
PLE
_ He (Bush) has a plan which is in place at home
with the economy, with Iraq, with N. orth Korea,”
Westmoreland said.
_ Cleveland County Bush campaign chairman
Wayne King watched last week's debate at Gaston
County's GOP headquarters, .
“twas great, very energetic,” he said.
_ King says Bush's answers appealed to conser-
vativevoters, ~~ = a
King will be traveling to Florida later this
month to work on the Bush campaign.
OFF TO IRAQ
Martin third Kings Mountain policeman
rve country in war
ANDIE L. BRYMER/HERALD
Penny Martin, left, Katherine Martin, Donald
Martin and Rebecca Martin pose for a family
Mayor Rick Murphrey presented Penny Martin
with a large yellow ribbon. He gave Donald
Martin an American flag, asking him to fly it in
Iraq and then return home with the flag. The city
plans to then fly it.
“It will be our honor,” Murphrey said.
The 1988 Kings Mountain High School gradu-
ate is the son of Donald and Jane Martin.
“He’s my baby and I'm real proud of him,”
Jane Martin said during Tuesday's cookout.
See Martin, 3A
Hoyle selected
principal of year
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
staff walked through the
door carrying a plant and
fruit basket.
The faculty meeting was a
ruse planned by a guidance
counselor.
“I was surprised,” Hoyle
said Wednesday morning,
upon learning that he had
Monday been named Cleveland
afternoon County Schools’ Principal of
when Supt. the Year.
. Gene Principals at Cleveland
Po Moore and County Schools’ 28 sites
: a es other cen- nominated peers for the
MARCIA FRALEY
HOYLE See Hoyle, 9A