Page 2A-THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Wednesday, May 3, 1989
OUR VIEW
Your Right To Say It
Good Move
Kings Mountain City Council sent a message last
week that could reflect a trend that we heartily ap-
plaud.
Kings Mountain last week became the first local
government to approve drug screening of a new em-
ployee.
Under the new policy, finalists for any job will be
required to provide a urine sample for testing. Current
employees applying for promotions also will be re-
quired to undergo the screening as part of a pre-em-
ployment physical.
Applicants who refuse the test won't be considered
for a job. If a current employee, who applies for a pro-
motion, fails a drug test, the personnel director will re-
fer the employee to appropriate counseling and sub-
stance abuse treatment services.
Initially the city policy targeted only pre-employ-
ment physical examinations for incoming employees.
However, all North Carolina police departments are re-
quired to institute drug screenings by July 1 Personnel
Director Charles Webber learned after he started re-
searching the new policy. He found that city employ-
ees across the state who operate heavy equipment or
- work in critical job areas, may soon be required to
take similar tests.
City Manager George Wood said the city stopped
short of applying
their new policy to all employees because of the "am-
biguity of random drug testing."
The new policy will test for drugs ranging from co-
caine to marijuana to barbiturates.
The benefits from this new policy should be tremen-
dous for public safety and security while saving the
city money in costly insurance or worker's compensa-
tion claims.
Help Shriners
Help Children
More than 800 thousand Shriners throughout North
America each year work to provide the best hospitals
possible for crippled and severely burned children at
no cost to their parents. The Shriners of Oasis Temple,
which include men of our community, have become a
living symbol of hope for these children and their par-
ents.
These men, accountants, clerks, doctors, educators,
policemen, attorneys, just to name a few, for the 14th
time this coming weekend take to the streets to tell
their story. They do this with a tabloid size newspaper
which tells of those who have been helped in North
Carolina and how others may apply.
The newspaper is free, but funds raised from dona-
tions will go to 19 orthopedic hospitals and three burns
institutes. Operation cost of these hospitals, along with
capital improvements and research, is more than 267
million for 1989.
“A new orthopedic hospital, to replace the one built
in 1926, is expected to open in July to serve this area.
Begun in 1922, these hospitals have helped more
than 300,000 youngsters and there are no cash regis-
ters, it's all free.
Oasis Temple, which our local Shriners belong to,
has more than 14,000 men who are proud of their
record of helping children in North Carolina.
Taking all facts in consideration, we think this pro-
gram deserves our community's support.
News Deadlines
The Herald welcomes your news for publication in
each Wednesday's paper. We ask that you follow these
guidelines and deadlines when submitting articles or
information:
The deadline for receiving news for the Lifestyles
Section (Section C) is 5 p.m. Friday. This includes
women's news such as weddings, engagements, an-
niversaries, reunions, club news, parties, etc.; church
news, including pastor's devotions and church activi-
ties, gospel singings, fund-raising events, etc.; commu-
nity news, entertainment news, and birthdays. All arti-
cles will be published free of charge, but there is a $4
preparation fee for birthday pictures and a $5 prepara-
tion fee for wedding, engagement and anniversary pic-
tures. :
The deadline for receiving news for the Homefront
Section (Section B) is 10 a.m. Monday. This includes
school news, business news, feature stories about peo-
ple, etc. There is no charge for publishing any of those
type articles.
Established 1889
Published Wednesday
at East King Street at Canterbury Road,
Kings Mountain, North Carolina 28086, by
Republic Newspapers, Inc.
Darrell Austin
. General Manager
Gary Stewart Sarah Griffin
Editor Bookkeeper
Elizabeth Stewart
Women's Editor
Jeff Crigg
Production Manager
Randall Barber
Pressroom Superintendent
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GROVER'’S 1952-53 CHAMPS - Grover High’s 1952-53 girls basketball team posted the best
record in the state, 33-0, and won the Cleveland County Conference and Valdese Gold Medal
Tournament. In photo at left is Grover’s Peggy Keeter who scored 1,301 points in the 33 games
for a 39.4 per game average, and she averaged 56.2 in four games in the Valdese tournament.
In photo at right, team members were, front row, left to right, Theo Huffstetler, Peggy Keeter,
Rachel Hardin, Treva Ponder, Collean Reynolds, Sue Keeter and Coach Gene Turner. Back
row, manager Ray Hambright, Betty Watterson, Ann Davis, Mary Louise Ellis, Catherine
Hambright, Peggy Watterson, Annie Laura Huffstetler and manager Vardell Neal.
Judges Can't Set Rights
We hear a lot about rights in this society. We talk
about the right to work, the right to have a home, the
right to ... well, you get the point. But to be throwing
around such a word, we need to understand what it re-
ally means. Apparently the court system in the United
States doesn't understand the word, and judges are
spreading a little ignorance with many court decisions
they make.
The word right, defined by Webster's dictionary
means "a just claim; authority”. In other words, a right
is a concept meaning one has a just claim to an action
or property. He has authority in that particular sphere.
Recently, a federal judge decided that prisoners in
Iowa have authority in a sphere heretofore unheard of.
Judge Harold Vietor has ruled that prison inmates in
Iowa have a "right" to read pornography. He ruled that
inmates in the Iowa Men's Reformatory are entitled to
the same magazines available to everyone else. To
comply with the judge's ruling, the prison has estab-
lished a pornography reading room.
In this case, Judge Vietor has created a right. Vietor
actually has no authority to hand out rights, Nor dof
any other judges within the court system of, the United
States who feel it is within their jurisdiction to do so.
But to make such a strong statement against the ju-
dicial system, it is important to understand exactly
where rights come from. The answer is simple. In the
United States, rights come from God and from the
U.S. Bill of Rights.
I think we can safely assume that God has not given
prisoners the right or authority to read pornography.
Although He has provided us with the right to free
choice, he does not give us the go-ahead to act in. di-
rect opposition to His Word.
As for the Bill of Rights, the rights of prisoners are
clearly spelled out in Amendments five through eight.
Criminals have a right to a speedy and public trial, an
impartial jury, to counsel, and the right to not testify
Marty
Hohmann
against oneself. Amendment Eight is the key here. It
states: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex-
cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punish-
ments inflicted."
There is no mention of the "right to read pornogra-
phy" while a prisoner, nor is that right inferred. The
denial of pornographic ‘materials clearly does not con-
stitute denial of the necessities of life such as food,
clothing, shelter and medical care. Nor would it be
deemed cruel or unusual punishment which would
shock the:consci¢nce of the civilized world. In fact,
the judge's decision is in itself shocking to the con-
science of the civilized world.
The founding fathers did not intend for judges to de-
termine rights. Their job is to interpret the law. It is
beyond me how Judge Vietor determined prisoner's
rights in this case. The fact is, this particular servant
of the judiciary took it upon himself and his position to
draw up his own bill of rights.
That, it seems, is the trend in America. Everyone is
so busy yelling about what our rights are that we miss
the true meaning and spirit of the word. Inventing
rights on an individual basis can only create chaos and
anarchy. After all, what one man may consider a right,
another may deem a crime.
| Good Insert On Drugs
To The Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to commend
you and your staff for the insert "A Message To
Teenagers Who Drink", that was included in your
Wednesday, April 26, edition of the Kings Mountain
Herald. As you know, April is National Alcoholism
Awareness Month, and has been designated so because
of the public's awareness. The message of awareness
has been brought to our attention in many ways and
your insert will be an asset in aiding others to read and
possibly more understand that alcoholism touches all
of us and that alcoholism and chemical dependency
can be effectively treated and people can, and do, re-
COVer.
Thank you so much for the extra copies you provid-
ed for our use. They will benefit and aid our program
greatly. They were very informative and once again,
you are to be commended for the interest you have
taken in your community and surrounding area.
Very truly yours,
David R. Swann, M.A, C.S.A.C.
Director of Substance Abuse Services
To The Editor: :
We really appreciate the copies of the insert you
provided our facility that you used in your April 26,
edition, "A Message To Teenagers Who Drink". The
insert was loaded with information and problems that
our staff touches base on every day. The insert will be
placed in our day area so that anyone who enters will
be able to make use of it. Not only will it aid our
clients who are her specifically to get help, it will
touch the eyes and mind of the public and make them
more aware of the problems of alcoholism and chemi-
cal dependency.
In today's modern world, we are all touched by
some form of alcoholism or chemical dependency,
whether it be with our own addition, or that of a loved
one. Educating our children and loved ones to the facts
is the surest way to fight the problems caused by alco-
holism and chemical dependency and your insert is a
wonderful source of information for the public.
Sincerely,
Steve Thomas
Detox Manager
To The Editor:
Upon calling your newspaper, I understand you are
responsible for the insert "A Message To Teenagers
Who Drink", that was an addition to your April 26,
edition. Working in the field of substance abuse, I have
seen many articles and short publications in the news
concerning drugs and chemical dependency, however,
your insert was the best I have seen. I touched all the
problems that our youth are plagued with in the field
of substance abuse and was very informative.
I truly believe we must educate our youth and teach
them very early to say NO, but we also must inform
every mother, father, sister and brother. Your article
was colorful and immediately caught my eye so that I
did not lay it aside with the sale papers. I immediately
begin to thumb through it and found jt to be very infor-
mative. I teach the ADETS (Alcohol and Drug*
Education Traffic Schools) classes for Cleveland
County so I must deal with everyone who gets a DWI.
I truly believe education to the results of drinking is a
must. There was a lot of information in your insert that
I will be able to use in class, and I found it to be a ter-
rific source of information.
Most of all, I want to thank you for showing con-
cern enough to publish this information and see that it
reaches the public. I understand that your company is
responsible for five hometown papers in this area and
that each location was provided with these inserts.
Thank you for caring. Alcoholism and chemical de-
pendency are like cancer and the best possible treat-
ment comes with early detection and treatment and
self-help programs using the 12 Steps of Recovery.
Linda H. Ramsey
ADETS Instructor
Berry Pickin’ Wasn't All Bad
I lived with my grandmother when I was young.
There was me, Mom and Dad and two sisters. Home
was a mill house in York, S.C. It was a rich, full life.
Oh, we were poor, don't get me wrong. I never did
know what a church mouse was so I couldn't relate to
+ that. Us kids didn't know we were poor. All the grown-
ups work and we always had food and clothes, modest
as they were, but poor? I don't know. Generally, it was
a happy childhood.
But I can sure tell you one thing that made me un-
happy. That was when grandma would go to town on a
summer Saturday and come home with those brand
new straw hats for me and my two sisters. How I hated
to see those hats! Because I knew those confounded
straw hats meant just one thing—it was blackberry
pickin’ time.
As sure as night followed day, on Monday morning,
when the rooster crowed, she'd roll us out of bed, feed
us our breakfast, thrust to large water buckets into our
hand and head us down the road to Mag Maclean's. I
never did find out who Mag Maclean was, but I sur-
mise she was a woman acquainted with my grand-
mother, who owned a large piece of land covered with
blackberry plants. To me Mag Maclean was a woman
. God placed on this earth with the sole purpose of mak-
ing my life miserable.
The blackberry patch was about five miles from the
| house and we had to hoof it because we had no car.
| And it was hot, almost unbearably hot. We'd have to
stay there all day, or at least until we filled all buckets,
and acquired our fair share of chigger bites and
scratches from the briars on the blackberry plants.
Sometimes we got the living daylights scared out of us
by a black snake (I always swore Mag Maclean kept
those things around as pets). If I had know then what I
know now I'd have picked faster and got those buckets
filled faster so I could go home sooner. It was aiways a
long walk home, with the sun boiling down scorching-
ly hot and me heavily-laden with a bucket of blackber-
ries in each hand. None of us had much trouble sleep-
| ing during blackberry pickin’ time.
There were benefits, of course. There were the jams
| and jellies and the blackberry pies. Grandma used to
stew some of the succulent berries and we'd have them
for breakfast. Boy! they were delicious.
Jim
Heffner
Now that I think about it, blackberry pickin' time
wasn't too bad after all.
I remember Luther Castle. He was a neat, well
dressed man who always wore a white hat. I don't
know how old he was. It's hard to judge an adult's age
when you are a child, but I remember passing him on
the street—I'd always say, "hello Mr. Castle." He'd
look straight ahead and say "how are you doing today,
James?" He never stopped, just spoke in passing.
Luther had a large house just South of York. He had
tow brothers, Quay and Clyde, both of whom owned
small neighborhood-type grocery stores. My Dad was
a house painter in those days. I recall a time he was to
do some work for luther and he took me along. After
he finished, Luther told him "come on up to Clyde's
store tonight and I'll pay you. I went with him to Clyde
Castle's store that night and when we got there, Clyde
handed my Dad an envelope containing his pay. I
thought that was a little unusual so after we left I asked
my Dad, "why did you have to go to Clyde's store to
get payed for the work you did at Luther's house?"
And he told me, "Luther can't count his money, son,
he's blind."
I had been knowing Luther Castle all my young life
and that was the first i knew of his blindness. I wonder
how he knew to call everybody by his first name when
he passed them on the street?
I see where some Japanese firm has purchased the
Ramada Inns hotel chain. Is nothing sacred anymore?
Before you know it, American commerce will be con-
trolled by everybody but Americans. I wonder what
kind of tax break a foreigner gets when he purchases a
business in this country. I hope places such as
McDonalds' holds fast. I simply will not have sushi
biscuits for breakfast.
The state legislature is considering naming the Plott
Hound as the state dog. That's pretty silly. The last
time those people in Raleigh got together they were
going to designate a state insect. Remember that? I
have two questions: How much money do we pay
them to go down there and act like overgrown chil-
dren? What in God's name is a Plott Hound?
Well it seems like the city of Charlotte is intent on
spending gobs of money for what is loosely described
as a piece of art for the new coliseum. They have two
pieces under consideration. One of them looks like on
of those stainless steel thermos bottles that got caught
in a shredder and the other appears to be a small city
park without swings or a sliding board. I guess one of
these will probably be purchased as both are unrecog-
nizable. The last piece they tried to force on the people
of Charlotte was dubbed the "Headless Gumby."
They are going to pay $34,000 for whichever hunk of
junk they choose. Oh well! I guess I'm not what you
might call artsy.
How can you explain a thief? I saw an item in the
Herald last week, under "Police Report," where a thief
broke into the residence of Mr. Robert Dover, pilfered
some pillow cases and damaged his lawn mower. Why
pillow cases? I don't know Mr. Dover but I'd be will-
ing to bet that, if said thief had really needed pillow
cases, all he had to do was ask Mr. Dover for them and
they would've been given to him. The only reason I
can come up with for the damage to the lawn mower is
that he obviously didn't like the pillow cases.
A personal note: this column will be published on a,
more or less, regular basis. If you have interesting sto-
ries to tell—something like the blackberry pickin' I
discuss above, a 4H project, or anything of interest,
drop me a note here at the Herald. I'll bet there are
plenty of interesting stores out there just begging to be
told.