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Opinion
REFLECTIONS ON
RELIGION AND LIFE
Rev. Harold Schwantes
Pastor
Central United Methodist Church
KINGS MOUNTAIN , NC
Faith, not space exploration,
; gives us understanding of life
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The recent landing of the space probe on Mars
with its little toy truck’ that roams around the
surface has captivated the interest of much of the
world these days.
The internet reported over 100 million ‘hits’ by
persons with computers wanting to see what this
little roving vehicle sees.
We have had headline stories in the newspa-
pers and in the other media about its discoveries
on our neighboring planet millions of miles away.
Now some optimistic space scientists are say-
ing this event has unlocked the hearts and wallets
of American politicians to sponsor more huge
space projects, including a possible manned space
flight in the next 20 years (actually, the wallets be-
long to us). They say the reasons this exploration
is necessary is both scientific and philosophical,
noting that there is a great desire among scientists
to answer the questions of the origins of life. The
issue of international prestige is also mentioned,
which will be great for the American scientific
community, but I don't know that it will do any-
thing for the average American.
Well, as a representative of the religious com-
munity, I find this investment in the study of phi-
losophy rather interesting. I, too, have an interest
in the exploration of space, mostly because of the
natural curiosity one has about the universe in
which we live. But, like so many other areas of in-
terest I have, such interests have to be laid aside
out of concern for other priorities that need my
attention and my dollars. In fact, I spend a fair
amount of time raising the dollars needed for
those priorities I am aware of. And some of those
priorities are philosophical in nature, for a belief
system such as Christianity is a philosophy of life
and much more.
But am I to understand that the U.S. govern-
ment is so interested in the philosophical con-
cerns of a certain segment of our society that we
are willing to invest tens of billions of dollars in
space exploration so that these persons can fur-
ther develop their philosophy of life? :
Pardon me, but I thought we of the religious
(and philosophical) community were not being
funded by the government of this country. Yes,
we certainly have the freedom to practice and
. teach our faith and philosophy. Yes, we of the reli-
, gious community do benefit in many ways from
the way we arg governed i in this country. But if
billions are going to be spent to help someone
else with their philosophical needs, | have a few
places right here on earth where I want the gov-
ernment to dump a billion or two, and I have a .
feeling my ideas would do a lot more for our na-
tional prestige than any space probe could ever
\.. derive.
This nation was pretty prestigious after World
War II, for example, when it was known as the
most benevolent nation in the world because of
the financial, aid and other efforts that were made
by the people of our nation to help rebuild the
war-torn nations. There are still plenty of places
left to build national prestige on this planet if we
are willing.
I will continue to be fascinated by the discover-
ies that are made through our space exploration
program. But my faith has given me an excellent
understanding of the origins of life, and I resent
that American taxpayers will have to dig so
deeply to help a few others discover a satisfactory
answer for themselves.
KINGS MOUNTAIN WEATHER REPORT
July 9-15 Yr. Ago
Total precip. 36 35
Max. 1 day 36 (9th) .30 (15th)
Yr. to date 31.45 25.88
Min. temp. 63 (11th) 65 (12th)
Max. temp. 96 (15th)! 92 (14th)
Avg. temp. 74.4 77.8
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THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD
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July 17,1997
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Moss [Lake onitol Constitutional 1 issue
State Representatives Debbie Clary, Andy
Dedmon and John Weatherly have succeeded in
unleashing political bitterness in Cleveland
County which may never be reconciled. To John
Weatherly's credit, he did finally realize that
Debbie Clary is dead wrong on this issue, and he
is trying to work a solution not involving the
North Carolina Legislature. Mr. Weatherly knows
that this is unconstitutional.
Ms. Clary has employed blackmail, spouted
misleading and plainly inaccurate information,
manipulated people at the lake into thinking that
they could actually gain control of the lake, arbi-
trarily re-written the Kings Mountain Annexation
_ Bill to serve her own purposes while claiming to
fellow legislators that "Kings Mountain supports
this bill," intentionally manipulated some legisla-
tors in Raleigh to set a Sub Committee meeting a
week early, and at the last minute to prevent rep-
resentation by Kings Mountain officials. City offi-
cials had to go to Raleigh in a private plane at the
last minute, arriving five minutes after the start of
the meeting.
It appears now that Debbie Clary has pro-
gressed to the realm of hysteria since John
Weatherly attempted to delay inappropriate legis.
lation doomed to failure. «.
“Members of the tpistature must be concented
about the credibility of the information being
placed before them; and indeed, the credibility of
Clary herself.
Debbie Clary has made the fatal error of mak-
ing this a, personal crusade for a few special inter-
est voters while pleading "this is for all my peo-
ple." Baloney! Clary has engaged in silly, petulant
behavior by declaring, "I will ride my jet ski ille-
gally to make my point." If Clary wished to repre-
sent the Jet Ski industry, that is her affair. In my
opinion, Clary has engaged in unethical be-
haviour by using the question of fees at Moss
Lake to block legitimate legislation by Kings
Mountain. Was Clary concerned about fees when
she recently got the Rear Seat Belt Law passed
which doubles the fine for failure to buckle up?
Let me point out some factors which may be of
value to citizens of Kings Mountain, Moss Lake
Homeowners Association and members of the
N.C. Legislature.
1. The Cleveland County Board of
Commissioners voted in 1967-68 not to partici-
pate in building the lake because it was "not
needed." John Henry Moss proceeded with plans
to build. Should we now take the position that re-
fusal to participate by the county means that they
are not entitled to benefits which they now re-
ceive? Should Kings Mountain get half of the tax
base being generated?
2. Moss Lake is the raw water supply for Kings
Mountain. Everything else is secondary.
GUEST
COLUMN
Gene White
3. Kings Mountain will never abdicate its right
to administer and control their water source. If a
fight is necessary, so be it!
4. Moss Lake residents have no rights other
than those voluntarily granted by the municipali-
ty. It they wish to sue over fees, let them.
5. The principal funding source for Moss Lake
was a three million dollar plus bond issue paid
for by citizens of Kings Mountain. These same cit-
izens include some of "those boaters and fisher-
men" who might not pass muster by the Moss
Lake Homeowners Association. This is an elitist
attitude at its, worst. In other words: keep out,
those whom they do not approve." 1A ads rit bali
6. The city received a grant of $160,000 from
Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCEF) for use at
the recreation area. I personally authorized ex-
penditure of every pénny of those funds. There
are no extraordinary strings attached.
7. The city received Relocation Funds from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) for replacement housing payments, rental
assistance payments, and moving expense for the
relocation of eligible persons at the Moss Lake
site. I personally administered a portion of those
funds. There were no strings attached. The total
received from HUD was about $300,000.
When Clary was apprised of the fact that the
lake was not built with federal funds, she alleged-
‘ly stated that "John Henry Moss" should have
built it with federal funds since he was "so good
at it." I would say to Clary that I worked on a dai-
ly basis for 15 years with John Henry Moss, and
Ms. Clary, "You are no John Henry Moss!"
8. As Secretary to the Moss Lake Commission
for a number of years, I personally wrote letters
to the Moss Lake Homeowners Association invit-
ing them to appoint representatives to attend the
meetings on a regular basis in order to keep
abreast of the Commission operation. They may
have shown up at one or two meetings. ’
9. To add fuel to the fire the Moss Lake
Your Right To Say It
Homeowners Association even came out against
location of the proposed Industrial Park in the
Kings Mountain area since it could benefit Kings
Mountain. I guess they temporarily forgot that
Cleveland County gets most of the tax and job
benefits.
10. The Homeowners Association's attorney ar-
bitrarily amended the City lake lease. Even am-
bulance chasing lawyers know that this is inap-
propriate and a fundamental violation of contract
law.
These are some of my suggestions for the Kings
Mountain negotiation team:
1. Don't worry about the N.C. Legislature pass-
ing this ill conceived bill. It is both unconstitu-
tional and is clearly a usurpation of local power.
2. Do not permit more than one (if that) Moss
Lake Homeowner Association member on any
new commission structure.
3. No County Commissioner should be a mem-
ber. They expressed their opinion in 1967. No pre-
sent County Commissioner represents the interest
of Kings Mountain. Many citizens have stated to
me, "Don't let them stack the deck against Kings
Mountain."
4. Fees should not be reduced. I will vote
REainst the mayor or council member who does
804 fic ala
I word like to ask Ms. Coty: a ow questions:
- How do you plan to handle failing septic
tanks at Moss Lake?
-How do you plan to handle the cost of a sewer
around the lake (Cost should be around $20 mil-
lion).
-What about storm drainage and fertilizer run-
off?
-What about development, motorized craft and
jet skiis?
-What about repairs to the dam and other facili-
ties?
Kings Mountain cannot abdicate its legal liabil-
ity and responsibility for Moss Lake, and it
should not be coerced into giving away its right-
ful control by a group of privileged special inter-
est members of the community.
In my final presentation in 1994 upon my re-
tirement as Planning Director, I publicly stated to
the Mayor and Council, "We must have a compre-
hensive examination of every facet of Moss Lake
and its administration for the next 25 to 50 years."
Except for the misguided efforts of Debbie
Clary, this could be a blessing in disguise. I
would suggest to Ms. Clary, however, that she
leave the sledgehammer in Raleigh. We still have
the "Big One." It is called the U.S. Constitution.
(Gene White is the Retired Planning Director
for the City of Kings Mountain).
Moss Lake belongs
to Kings Mountain
To the editor:
I would like to point out that. Moss Lake be-
longs to the citizens of Kings Mountain. They
built it and paid for it with little support even
from individuals ‘within our. own county.
Therefore, there should be no question as to who
should control the lake and set the users fees.
[ agree that the fees should be fair. However,
when one considers how much is fair, one must
+ take into account the environmental impact the
lake users are having on the source of Kings
Mountain's drinking water supply: The city
should be commended for allowing residential
development and recreational activities around
the lake. I am quite sure that the fertilizer, septic
tanks, and chemical pollutants of the recreational
craft have an adverse affect on the water and
thereby add to the cost of purifying the water to
make it safe for the citizens of Kings Mountain to
drink. How many individuals in Cleveland
County and the surrounding area have the luxury
of using an unlimited supply of water for their
lawns, gardens, pools etc. for a mere $50 and the
cost of a sunk pump.
In closing I would like to say that I am very dis-
appointed in Ms. Clary, my elected representa-
tive, and her stand on the lake issue. She was
elected to represent all the citizens of the county,
and yet I feel that on this issue the only people
she is representing is herself and the residents of
the lake. There is a conflict of interest on her part.
She does not have the best interest of all her con-
stituents in this matter. She lives on the lake! If
Ms. Clary is successful in passing HER House Bill
777, she will have caused a division between the
residents of our entire county. Please allow me to
paraphrase a Bible verse found in Romans 16:17
which states: "Mark those that cause division
among you and avoid them." I would say: "Mark
those that cause division among us and don't
vote for them in the next election!"
I would encourage citizens of Kings Mountain
and all individuals in the ‘surrounding area to
contact their local and state elected officials. Let
them know how you feel. Kings Mountain needs
your support.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to
share my views on this important issue...
. Donald R. Smith
Kings. Mountain
Thanks Kids Etc!
To the Editor:
I am writing to publicly acknowledge the Kids
Etc. Rockin’ Recess Summer Camp teachers and
director for the superb job they are doing this
summer. I am a first time parent of this program
and very much pleased with it.
I have to admit I was hesitant to enroll my son
in the program. Not only am I a protective parent
but when I first witnessed how loud and active
the children were I was a little set back. But I have
since found out the philosophy of the Kids Etc.
summer camp is that it is not school. It is summer
vacation and the children should be enjoying that
time and not to be expected to do the things they
are expected to do throughout the school year.
The children go on field trips two or three
times a week. They are fed a nutritious lunch for
a fee and receive two snacks each day. They are
allowed to play and enjoy their summer break.
They are nurtured and loved in a safe, happy en-
vironment by the whole staff.
Personally, I would like to applaud and say a
gracious "thank you" to Patsy Walker, the pro-
gram's director. She is the most open, honest and
genuine person I have ever had the pleasure of
meeting. I have seen first hand the countless
hours she puts into the program and the heartfelt
endless efforts she undertakes so the children,
"her kids," have a wonderful, safe and happy
summer break. Most of the teacher are elemen-
tary education college students. They are gaining
valuable experience and are excellent with the
children.
In closing, I would like to say a heartfelt "thank
you" to Patsy Walker and the Kids Etc. Rockin’
Recess Summer Camp staff for providing such a
wonderful, safe and nurturing service to the chil-
dren of our community. The parents and children
of Kings Mouitain are very lucky to have this
program. These wonderful teachers and such a
kind-hearted director. -
Myra Cunningham
Shelby
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