Page 4A-THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD-Thursday, March 10, 1994
REFLECTIONS
on Religion and Life
®
Rev. Dick Newsome
Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
The courage to compete
A quiet walk down a short, dark street of our town
surprised me recently. I was out in the cold, crisp air,
thinking about things a million miles away when I no-
ticed a rather strange sight, From the place in which I
was standing, I could see into the living rooms of four
homes at the same time. And in each of those living
rooms, I saw a television and the shadow of at least
one person watching. I chuckled to myself and kept
going. To my amazement, I soon discovered that in ev-
ery home I passed a television set was at work. And
even more surprising, every set was tuned to the same
network - CBS - and the same event - the Winter
Olympic Games in Lillehammer (which is in Norway
for those of you trapped in a time warp the past
month).
The sight and scene was decidedly eerie. I felt as if
had just stepped off of the side street and into the elec-
tronics section of a large department store. According
to the latest reports, however, my observation that
night was not so unusual given the vast numbers of
people who tuned in to watch the games. In fact, the
'94 Winter Games have been declared the most suc-
cessful Olympics in U.S. television history. The clos-
ing ceremony alone drew a staggering 33% share of
the television audience that evening, an audience 41%
larger than the one which watched the closing ceremo-
ny of the Winter Games in France just two years ago.
In retrospect, CBS brought home the biggest gold
medal of them all.
For those of us who cannot leave well enough alone,
the broadcast success of the Olympics causes a pause
for thought. What about the Olympics so captivates
us? Why are they so popular when most of us have
never touched a luge, performed the dreaded triple
Lutz or zoomed down a gigantic slide on skis in little
more than a scuba suit and motorcycle helmet? What's
the attraction?
I suspect that the answers to those questions lie in
the fact that the Olympic Games, as much as any
sporting event, is firstly drama and secondly an exer-
cise in technical skill, And in that drama each of us
sees the drama of our lives played out in microcosm.
The Olympics are so popular for the same reason that
sports analogies are used so often in sermons, homi-
lies, civic speeches and editorials. They are eventually
parodies of our lives, We discover a figure skater and
root for her to win because we-sense that we are able
to feel something of what she feels, to know in our
hearts something of her disappointment or pride or de-
votion. We cry when the coach cannot restrain from
hugging the young man who has won a medal unex-
pectedly and shocked himself and the crowd. We cheer
for those who wear our flag on their outfit because in
wearing it, they signal to us that they are like us, or at
least like us enough to be from the place in which we
live. And for a moment, we are on the ice or in the
snow with them,
The soap opera of the Olympic Games is an artifi-
cial, concise version of the struggles and triumphs of
our lives. But in the end we realize that the analogy
may be taken only so far. In the end our defeats and
victories are much less clear and more less easily de-
fined. In the end the question of who the competition
is in the first place is difficult to answer. In the end no
neat ceremony with a podium and medals and adoring
crowds tells us how we have done. And perhaps most
importantly, if we see ourselves in the Olympic ath-
letes, we are left wondering who in our lives are the
crowds, judges, coaches and parents. If we are the ath-
letes, who are all of the significant others around us
making it happen? R
One of the reasons that sports analogies have played
so well in sermons and speeches alike is that they offer
a tangible way of expressing something of God's pres-
ence and activity in our lives. The analogy is ripe be-
cause we are able to say in simple ways that God is to
us the Crowd which watches us from afar, the One
who we are trying to impress with our skill, the Judge
who decides how we have done and the Coach and
Parent who in the end is the One to hug us and tell us
that we have tried our best..In the end, the Olympic
analogy of which we are so fond and which captivates
us so strongly makes sense in light of a God who cares
not so much how we score but that we found the
courage and energy to compete in the first place.
So when are the next Winter Olympics anyway? In
one sense, they are in the early part of 1998. But in an-
other sense, they are tomorrow and every day to come.
See you on the ice.
Opinions |
Fast Facts |
1993 Larcenies
Kings Mountain Police Department
LIB
STEWART
@
News Editor
80 ~
70
67
60
60
46
50 - 44
40 -
30 31
30
20
10
45 45
24 41
27
10
0 1 I I 1 I |
Jan Feb Mar Apr
May Jun
[ I I | I |
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
um Number Per Month
a TA
a a <q. ol Cpr b
Established 1889 .
Published Thursday at East King Street at Canterbury Road,
Kings Mountain, North Carolina 28086,
USPS 931-040, by Republic Newspapers, Inc.-2nd Clasa postage paid in Kings Mountain
BOB OD 1viusrissransistiivitin sms deus smsiitinnrao. Publisher
DATE AUSHIN o.oo ii tiaras irs diaries Associate Publisher
CIAIY SIBWAN crerestst iinmnsiasisssisiibusrsnsiussisisisemisnssssisisresssss Editor
Elizabeth Slewan........uu isin News Editor
Shirley Austin ........... ...Advertising Representative
BUEFURON «ooo hens ersisrsnsisssasssanssesns Advertising Representative
Laura HUB . i... .vvirmasrsnssarmsessener Advertising Representative
Nancy Miller i... nmin Advertising Representative
Saran Grillin... Business Manager
CRAIYE PURE cients Bookkeeper
Deniacs TAIDBR .........uriiiisrusmiariins Circulation Manager
FAN BIBOK cricvrrecsisrrssriramesserin iasesinsssrsimnss Production Manager
AULA trreerteiass isn mics ramisisttremsson asin Graphic Artist
Noman MOrfison .......cuuuinen imines Pressroom Manager
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Gaston & Cleveland Counties: 1 Year $16.00; 6 Months
$0.00, Other NC Counties: 1 Year $18.00; 6 Months $10.00. Outside NC: 1 Year
$21.00; 6 Months $11.50.
REPUBLIC WE NEWSPAPERS. INC,
Ra LET
Member
North Carolina Pross Association
Postmaster: Send Address Changes to:
Kings Mountain Herald: P.O. Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Back issues, one month or older, when available, are 70¢ per copy.
Our View
George Wood will be missed
Kings Mountain City Manager George Wood, who
resigned this week after almost six years on the job,
will be hard to replace.
When Wood came to Kings Mountain from
Pinehurst in May 1988 he brought with him organiza-
tional and leadership skills which were badly needed.
As the city's first city manager after many years of a
Mayor/Commissioner form of government, Wood im-
mediately put into place a chain of command which
took small town politics out of the everyday running of
city business.
Citizens who have lived in Kings Mountain for
many years recall the days when city commissioners
got too involved in trying to tell department heads and
even city employees how to do their jobs. Wood orga-
nized a group of department heads who are profession-
als in their field, resulting in better employee morale
and more efficient job production. Of all of his accom-
plishments in his five years here, Wood said he is most
proud of the city's qualified and dedicated employees.
Organizing the workforce wasn't the only goal for
the new city government. Wood faced many other
challenges as well. \
For starters, the previous administration was leaning
strongly toward committing over $3.5 million to the
proposed Crowders Creek Wastewater Treatment
plant, which would be owned by the City of Gastonia
but would serve Gastonia, Gaston County and east
Kings Mountain.
Kings Mountain needed the plant badly because the
old McGill Plant in Kings Mountain was succumbing
fast, but Wood quickly convinced Gastonia officials
that Kings Mountain could expand its own Pilot Creek
Plant for much less than $3.5 million. His efforts re-
sulted in Kings Mountain providing only one-half mil-
lion toward the Crowders Creek project, saving the
city $3 million.
The city also faced an electrical crisis. The city's
electrical situation was so bad that power poles and
lines were leaning and breaking, Gnd it was not un-
common for the city to have brown-outs in extremely
hot weather because the system was not able to carry
the demand.
The citizens very wisely passed a $9 million refer-
endum to provide improvements, and today the city
has an electrical department that is the envy of other
small towns. When the temperature stayed in the high
90s for 28 days straight last August the city didn't ex-
perience a single power outage. It those improvements
had not been made it would have been a disaster.
As a part of the electrical improvements, the city in-
stalled a SCADA computer system which monitors the
electrical system during peak demand periods, and in
another 18 months that system will be paid for and
create $77,000 in savings which can be put back into
the electrical system,
{
During Wood's era, the city also installed the E911
system which has been a life-saver for citizens in
emergency situations, and the city built its own refuse
transfer station at the public works department, result-
ing in a savings of about $60,000 per year in garbage
transportation fees.
If there was a failure during Wood's era here, it was
the fact that the city was never successful in having its
water system stand on its own two feet. A recession in
the early nineties resulted in many customers not being
able to purchase their full allotment of water, and that
created budget shortfalls which could eventually result
in rate increases or a cut-back of other city services.
Wood has been persistent in his belief that each city
utility department must stand on its own two feet. The
one-time savings and cuts passed at the recent City
Council meeting will have only short-term effects, and
it will be interesting to see if Wood's prediction that
rates will have to increase in July will become reality.
So, now, as Wood moves on to become City
Manager of Cleveland, Tn., where does that leave
Kings Mountain?
. The city is well-organized because of Wood's lead-
ership, but it faces some challenges that must be met
head-on, the biggest of which is the water situation,
and then replacing out-dated fire trucks and other
equipment, and moving the Police Department to the
old Post Office building so it can undergo much-need-
ed expansion.
But first, the Council will meet Tuesday night to
name an interim city manager while a search is
launched for a permanent replacement. We urge the
Council not to be too hasty.
A good retired city manager or businessman can
help the city plan its next budget, and depending on a
very capable staff of department heads can carry on
the day-to-day operation of the town for awhile.
In April the Council will meet for its annual budget
retreat, at which time department heads and council
members will have input into the next fiscal year's
budget.
We urge the Council to also plan a number of work-
shops to discuss ideas about the city's strengths and
weaknesses, and try to match its needs with a city
manager who can continue to carry this city forward
into the 21st Century,
Meanwhile, we wish George Wood well in his new
- position in Tennessee. He is going to a town which,
like Kings Mountain in 1988, is moving from a
Mayor/Commissioner form of government to a City
Manager/Council form of government.
Cleveland, Tn, is in the very capable hands of a
City Manager who has earned the respect of his peers
all over the state as well as the people of Kings
Mountain, If our City Council is committed to find the
best city manager possible, and is deliberate in its
search Kings Mountain will continue to be in good
shape also.
Lillian Mauney
loved everyone
Perhaps one of the finest tributes to Lillian Mauney
was made Sunday.
A friend stood over the flower-decked casket and
said, "Wherever you saw her, she was always Mrs.
Mauney."
Mrs. Mauney never changed in her genuine love for
people. She was widely respected, not only in the
Kings Mountain Community, but in the Presbyterian
Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Woman's
Club and the Study Club.
The quiet, unassuming lady kept many of her, good
deeds in secret. She shied away from publicity, saying
that she wasn't hiding her light under a bushel but she
would let everyone else take up the newspaper space.
Her son-in-law, Dr. Donald Kellum, honored her in
a special way. He named his prize roses the Lillian
Rose, and that pleased her greatly.
Even after she moved from her home on Margrace
Road to Covenant Village, the retirement center in
Gastonia, she kept up with the comings and goings of
her extended family in Kings Mountain. !
Every Christmas for many years she hosted the
Dixon Presbyterian Church Circle which she founded
many years ago. When the small, country church was
organized 50 years ago, Lillian Mauney went from
First Presbyterian Church, helped with the Choir,
played the piano, and organized the Women of the
Church. - She and her husband were always at Dixon
for Homecoming Day in May. After her husband's
death, she continued to attend with other family mem-
bers when her health permitted.
Visitors who shared an afternoon with her in her
pleasant two-bedroom apartment always came home
feeling better about themselves.
The former Bible teacher instilled in all who met her
an incentive to be a better Christian.
Mrs. Mauney retained her sense of humor in any sit-
uation. :
Moving eight miles to Gastonia was an adjustment,
she said on one occasion, but it wasn't long until she
felt right at home in her new surroundings. She made
friends easily and it didn't’ take long for the other resi-
dents to learn that she was a friend who would listen
and share in their experiences. Friends teased Mrs.
Mauney about the eligible men in the facility. Not to
be outdone, she chuckled and said the men folk en-
joyed sitting at her table and eating with her because
they knew she planned on remaining a widow. "I don't
have my cap set," she would laugh and promptly
change the subject.
The American Legion Auxiliary presented her a life
membership in her home.
. Mrs. Mauney and her husband, the late industrialist
Paul Mauney, reared three sons and three daughters.
The family also includes 15 grandchildren; 17 great-
grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild,
Lillian Ramsaur Mauney was proud of her title as
homemaker.
"I just plain like being Mrs. Mauney," she said on
one occasion. "I prefer a plain hair style and comfort-
able clothing and shoes so that I can get a lot done."
Mrs. Mauney got a lot done before she went to
heaven March 5, 1994 at the age of 92. Although she
didn't quite make it to the century mark, Mrs, Paul
Mauney lived a long and fulfilling life and left behind
a legacy of love and happiness. Her warm and caring
spirit were a living example.
Her departure should only underscore our apprecia-
tion that it was good for us that she came our way.
HERALD LETTER POLICY
The Herald welcomes your letters to the editor for
publication in each Thursday's paper. We ask that you
use the following guidelines:
Keep your letter brief and to the point. Type and
double-space them, if possible; if not, write legibly.
All letters must be signed in ink and include the full
name, address and telephone number of the author for
verification purposes.
The Herald reserves the right to edit letters for
length, spelling, good taste, clarity, libel, slander or
any other reason; and reserves the right to reject any
letter for any reason.
Mail your letters to The Editor, P.O. Box 769, Kings
Mountain, N.C. 28086.
A man who needs some help
The letter appeared in an area newspaper, and it was
plaintive and touching.
"I pick up a newspaper when I can buy one and see
the good things and the bad things. What about the
people who are having a hard time in this town?" it
said, in part,
The letter was from a family man who lost his job
five days before Christmas, His gas was about to be
- turned off and five children would be cold.
I tried to call him, but he had no listed phone num-
ber, I was pretty sure anybody in a situation that dire
wouldn't have a phone, but I looked anyway. The
phone directory has nobody listed with that last name.
I have no idea why I tried to contact this man, ex-
cept that I thought I might make a small monetary con-
tribution. I can't afford much, but. I am ready to share.
What the man really wants is a job so that he can af-
ford to support his family, He neglected to list his
skills and experience.
He noted that if he was able to get a job the pay
would be minimal, and he's probably right.
Unfortunately, unless he has marketable skills, he'll
have to start at the bottom of the ladder in most new
jobs.
I know that is frustrating, but it is the way the job
market has evolved in this country.
This man isn't the first person to be caught in that
trap. When Eastern Airlines had to close their doors in
JIM
HEFFNER
Columnist
Charlotte, hundreds of people found themselves with-
out work. Many of them had never done anything else.
Eastern isn't the only company to go through the trau-
ma of ceasing operations, but it's a good example, and
one I'm familiar with,
Those people who lost their jobs lacked experience
to acquire work in other fields, so they were told by
the state employment security commission to get some
schooling and try another line of work.
The question is, who was to feed, clothe and house
their families while they were being trained? How
would they pay for the training?
A friend, several years back, was released from the
military. He had been a skilled electronics technician
in the service. The only job he could find upon dis-
charge was a temporary position as a service station at-
tendant. After that job played out, he went to the un-
employment office. That agency tried their its best to
get him another job pumping gas, ignoring his elec-
tronic skills completely. All of his records at the agen-
cy, even today, have him listed as attendant, ser. sta.
That's another area of frustration the unemployed go
through.
Being unemployed, or under employed, and having
to scrape, borrow and watch your children make do
with less than they deserve is frustrating and painful,
but, most of all, it robs a person of his or her dignity. It
can best be described as having your soul turned inside
out and scoured with a steel brush.
A man who finds himself in that position has trouble
maintaining harmony in the home, and looking into his
family's eyes. He begins to think of himself as inade-
quate, a loser. After that it's just a few steps to home-
less, or worse.
The man who wrote the letter can take action before
it's too late. He can contact the Department of Social
Services and he can ask for help from his church, or
any church for that matter. Some people are too proud
to do that, but they need to remember their tax money,
for years, has been supporting those less fortunate.
If he by chance reads this, he can call me and I will
do what I can to get his qualifications out to those who
might help him with a job. No promises, but I'll do
what I can,
Most people around here like lending aid to their
fellow man, ;