Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / Sept. 2, 1987, edition 1 / Page 3
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at SE Ee RY - Changes Needed To The Editor: As this is an election year, and I have just retired from the administrative department of the City of Kings Mountain Personnel, and while they are fresh in my mind there are some observations that I would like to place before you. During my thirteen years with the city, I hoped with each election that, sorely needed changes would be made. Needless to say, each time I was disappointed. Although I worked with some wonderful and talented people. I have seen many of them used and abused, due to the inability of elected officials to leave their egos and personality grudges out of decision making processes. When elected officials cannot get together on policy making and other important issues, it is the employee and the citizen who suffer. There are many changes that should and could be made within the governing structure of our city which would benefit both employee and citizen. The most important of these is for each of us to give serious thought to the election of new of- ficials for the coming year. As you go to the polls this year, please keep the following in mind. 1. We the people of the City of Kings Mountain set the policy of our city government by the calibre of persons we elect to office. 2. We the people of the city pay the salaries of elected of- ficials and employees. Though, this does not give us the authority to approach anyone as an employer, it does place upon us the responsibility to see that elected officials set and follow policies that deal fairly with both employee and citizen. 3. We the people of the city should take time and put forth effort to investigate the character of the persons for whom we vote in order to determine, as best we can, their integrity and professionalism for the office. Any elected official who argues back with a citizen in a council meeting is degrading the office, and is less than professional. 4. We the people of the city have a responsibility to our fellow citizens to keep informed of the actions and decisions of our elected officials. We should also be able to choose a candidate based upon qualifications, and not based upon friendship, community position, or monetary gain. Below are some honest observations you might consider as you look at the candidates for the coming election. Did you know: : 1. City government will be no better with a city manager ‘unless attitudes of elected administrative officials change? 1. City government will be no better with a city manager unless attitudes of elected administrative officials change? 2. That your city employees have no advocate, and when a job related problem arises they must approach officials who have been known to say, “If you don’t like it find another job.” Is that a fair and professional answer? Shouldn’t they investigate the matter before making that decision? 3. That an employee asked his supervisor to request a salary increase for him and was told, ‘I don’t ask for raises for myself why should I ask for one for you?’’ Who else should the employee approach? Shouldn’t someone help him with this problem? 4. That a person administered a department for more than - a year in the absence of a director, and when the position was filled was told, “If you were a man, you would have been given this job.”’ These statements were made by persons who could have seen that the employee received consideration for the position-elected officials. 5. That the personnel policy of the city is followed when it benefits the officials, and overlooked when it benefits the employee. Merit raises (if any) are determined by ap- proaching commissioners on a one on one basis. The officials regard for you on a personal basis determine the raise. Not your capabilities, seniority or qualifications. Shouldn't this be changed? 6. That there are such inequities in the salaries of city per- sonnel that a person employed for less than 5 years, whose job is less responsible, makes as much as $50.00 per week more than an employee of more than 10 years, whose position is more complex. No wonder employee incentive and morale are down. Is this fair? 7. That persons are at a higher rate of pay than existing employees who are doing essentially the same work? It is fine to pay someone more for the job, but shouldn’t the existing employee be considered first? If an elected official does not respect those who work for the city, it is patently impossible for him/her to.respect the citizens of the city. If an elected official uses partiality when dealing with city employees it stands to reason he/she will do the same with citizens. Personalities should not play a part in policy or decision making, and personalities should not regulate the treatment, respect, and consideration of employees and/or citizens. Think about it. Sincerely, Connie Putnam Thanks, Firemen To The Editor: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland County Chapter of the American Red Cross, I would like to publicly thank the Cleveland County Firemen’s Association for their very generous contribution of $1,278 to be used to replace the 1977 Blood and Disaster van. This was a very unselfish dona- tion as all the fire departments continually have fund raising drives for their own needs. The local chapter of the American Red Cross considers it a pleasure to assist these fire departments when called upon to do so. We were notified by emergency communications tha the many firemen battling the large fire at Margrace Mill had called for the Red Cross. Our disaster team, made up primarily of volunteers, responded. Our admiration for the valiant, hardworking firemen in communities throughout Cleveland County continues to grow. Cleveland County Chapter American Red Cross Burel Harris Chapter Chairman Hr Sr yon Srinath iio i PR = Wednesday, September 2, 1987-KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Page 3A Bridges Hardware Is Sold From Page 1-A Navy but after World War 1 started work with Mauney Brothers Store on Railroad Avenue until 1920 when he and R.C. Gold bought them out, creating Gold and Bridges. In 1930, D.R. Hamrick, Bridges’ brother- in-law, became his partner. In 1948 Glee’s son, J.C., bought a third interest. In 1951 Glee’s second son, Glee E. and J.C. Bridges bought out the entire operation. In his later years Glee Actor Bridges served Kings Moun- tain as mayor five times and died at age 71 on March 23, 1966. Glee E. Bridges recalled that the first store his father operated was called Golden Bridges after the two owners, Gold and Bridges. The Bridges brothers will continue to be in the store for several weeks to assist with the transition, said Glee E. Bridges. The new owner said that at least one more full-time employee will be hired. Bonnie Wallace, Veteran employee who has worked with Bridges Hardware for nearly 30 years, Glenda Belk, Kathy Humphries and Frances Linderman will con- tinue to work for the new owners as will part-time employees, Mike Lee, David Ayscue and Brian Webster. Bridges Hardware’s new location on King and Cansler Street offered room for business expansion and plen- ty of free parking for customers. The expanded firm also includes a gift line and an expanded stock - of tools. The former Bridges Hardware building on Bat- tleground Avenue was sold to the Kings Mountain Redevelopment Commission as part of their urban renewal project and the hard- waremen took the option on the W. King -S. Cansler Street corner lot when the old buildings were removed by the KMRC under the same urban renewal program. J.C. was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945 and bought a third in- terest in his father’s business after returning home. Glee was discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1946 and worked with his uncle, Elmo Bridges, in Bessemer City until 1951 when he and J.C. became partners in Bridges Hard- ware. J.C., who retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lt. Col. in 1973, is married to Edith Franklin Bridges, retired KM teacher. They have four children, are active in Kings Mountain Baptist Church and other civic and community endeavors. Glee is married to the former Martha Poythress who is employed by the KM District Schools. They have three children. He retired in 1973 from the Naval Reserve as Captain. They are active in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church and other civic and community endeavors. The new store manager, Tim Miller, is a native of Raleigh and a graduate of N.C. State University. Before joining his father-in-law’s hardware business, he was Parks and Recreation Ad- ministrator for the City of Raleigh. ‘“We plan to con- tinue the same level of ex- cellent service to Kings Mountain that the Bridges family had provided and any changes that we make in the future will be with the customer in mind” said Miller. Beachum, who was raised in a retail setting in Oakboro, said he cut his teeth at a small service station in his early years and then got into the hardware business. “Bridges Hardware com- pany has been around 63 years plus and we are confi- dent that the institution will remain with the continued support of Kings Mountain citizens”, said Glee Bridges. “Kings Mountain is a great place to live and work.” Recalling their 50th an- niversary celebration in 1974, Bridges said a grand opening was held in the new building and that The Kings Mountain Herald carried a full page advertisement headlined “The Bridges Bugle’, serv- ing hardware customers everywhere.”’ The Bridges brothers have made no special plans for retirement but Glee says he wants to do some traveling. “We're not going to schedule anything for awhile but I look forward to the morning when I don’t have to watch the clock and can take each day as it comes.” GARLAND ATKINS Publisher DARRELL AUSTIN General Manager Subscription rates: $12.60 year - $9.98. USPS. GARY STEWART Managing Editor ELIZABETH STEWART News Editor MEMBER OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION The Herald is published by Herald Publishing House, P.O. Box 769, Kings Mountain, North Carolina 28086. Business and editorial offices are located at Canterbury Road-East King Street. Phone 739-7496. Se- cond clas postage paid at Kings. Mountain, N.C. Single copy 25 cents. in-county. $6.30 six months. $13.65 * yearly out-of-county. $6.83 six months. Student rates for nine months Efs¢lk Stevens CLEVELAND MALL i Fn ~ 20.99 Farberware® stainless steel cookware is sure to put a gleam in any chet's eye! With aluminum clad bottom plate for more even heating. Add to your existing cookware or create a specially set! A. 1, 2 and 3 gf. mixing bowl set with plastic covers oe... 9.99 29.99 B. 3 gi. mixing bowl. 9.99 €. 3-pc. 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The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Sept. 2, 1987, edition 1
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