I siamese B57 aE September 7, 2000 Hispanic population B The Kings Mountain Herald growing in county BY ALAN HODGE Staff Writer Te hablas espanol? If you do, it might mean you're one of the growing number of Hispanic folks who are calling Cleveland, Lincoln, Gaston, and : Mecklenburg counties home. Actually, so many people of Hispanic origin are coming into the area, no one is sure just what the percentage of increase is. Not even the U.S. Census is positive on the count. For the period 1990 through 1999, the estimated number of Hispanics in Cleveland County went up 129 percent. Neighboring counties saw simi- lar or larger increases. Gaston County also posted a 129 per- cent increase for those years. Mecklenburg’s Hispanic popu- lation supposedly went up 164 percent, and Lincoln County saw a 170 percent estimated in- crease. Statewide, the number of Hispanics was estimated to have risen 129 percent for the 10-years since the 1990 census. Though the percentages seem quite high, it must be taken into consideration that they reflect just that- a percentage and not actual head count figure. For in- stance, in 1990 there were 376 Hispanics in Cleveland County. In 1999 that figure had risen to 862 people- a jump of only 486 folks. For North Carolina as a whole, the number read 76,745 people in 1990, and 175,707 people in 1999- up less than 100,000 Hispanic men, women, and children. Reasons for what many feel are low or inaccurate counts are due to the fact that many Hispanics did not fill out census forms in 1990 or 1999, and that some don’t speak English. Another factor is the migratory nature of the agricultural work many Hispanics perform. Still others are illegal aliens or fail to fill out tax forms. Reasons for the influx are economy driven. With many jobs available on construction sites and in the service sector, Hispanics are one group that is taking advantage of the situa- tion. Nationally, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada experi- enced the largest percent in- crease in minority populations. ALAN HODGE/THE HERALD Kings Mountain's newest corporate citizen, Commonwealth Aluminum Tube, will be ready for busi- ness in November. Helping get the facility ready are employees, from left; Felicia Smith, Karen Earls, manager John Rom, J.C. Bible, Heather Henkenmeier, Dan Jordan. Commonwealth Aluminum to open KM plant in November BY ALAN HODGE Staff Writer Miles and miles of piping will soon be flowing from Kings Mountain's newest corporate citizen. Located on Industrial Drive off Highway 161, Louisville, Kentucky-based Commonwealth Aluminum Tube Enterprises is gearing up for production. Housed in a 100,000 square foot facility developed by Johnson of Spartanburg, Commonwealth is currently in the final stages of installing equipment and creating office spaces. This work has been go- ing on for about two months. Manager for the operation is Cleveland, Ohio native John Rom. “We expect to begin opera- tions in early November,” Rom said. “Initially we will employ 21 workers. In a couple of years, that figure could double.” Rom says that the plant will have a capacity of around 11/2 From 1A zoom capability also gives offi- cers extra security because they can more easily see how many passengers are ina vehicle. Besides enhanced video, offi- cers are also wired for sound. A tiny microphone attached to the uniform picks up and records every word that transpires be- tween the policeman and the person they are talking to. “The audio can be picked up by the camera from several car lengths away,” Moore said. “The microphone is very sensi- tive.” Cost of the camera and its ac- cessories is $3,650 per car. The mini-camera itself is $3,450 and the overhead control console adds another $200. According to Captain Melvin Proctor, that’s a small price to pay for the benefits the cameras bring to the Kings Mountain police. “The cameras will be espe- cially useful when it comes time to take a case to court,” Proctor said. “Pictures tell a thousand words and don't lie.” ‘million pounds of aluminum tubing per month. The process takes an 8,000 foot coiled sheet “of aluminum, and through a high frequency electric welding process, makes the tubing. Pipes made are from one-half to three inches in diameter and come off the machinery at a rate of 600 feet per minute, The product is then shipped to cus- tomers who use it in a variety of applications. “Much of the process is auto- mated, especially the packag- ing,” Rom said. “We are also developing a high involvement, work team approach that will empower our associates. - Employees will also rotate posi- tions so they can become famil- iar with all aspects of the opera- tion.” Kings Mountain mayor Rick Murphrey is proud of the fact ~ that Commonwealth is the first corporation to take advantage of the economic incentives the city has offered firms. “Commonwealth Aluminum Tubing is another example of a successful corporate citizen choosing Kings Mountain and the new Kings Mountain Commerce Center as their loca- tion,” Murphrey said. “The city wishes them many years of op- eration here.” Kings Mountain Weather Report Total precipitation Maximum one day Year to date Low temperature High temperature Average temperature Aug. 30-Sept. 5 Year Ago 97 616 j 3.90 (2nd) 97 (5th) 37.13 26.87 57 (5th) 52 (31st) 84 (31st, 3rd) 89 (2nd, 3rd) 74.1 74.0 Postmaster, send The Heral Published every Thursday : Periodicals postage at Kings Mountain, NC 28086 USPS 118-880 by Republic Newspapers, Inc. address changes to: P. O. Box 769, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 Phone (704) 739-7496 © Fax (704) 739-0611 Office: 824-1 East King Street Kings Mountain, NC 28086 E-mail: kmhnews@aol.com Gaston & Cleveland County Other NC Counties Outside NC Mike Blanton Publisher Gary Stewart Editor Alan Hodge Staff Writer Stacy Godfrey Kale....cucnrrivicoriressnsss: nm Advertising Manager Shelley Campbell...............c...c... rinieberbotiiryins Composition Manager Mail Subscription Rates Payable in Advance. All Prices include 6% NC State Sales Tax. 1 Year 6 Months $21.20 $13.78 $22.26 $14.84 $26.50 $16.43 Republic Newspapers, Inc. ne eh Nor ania Pres Asotin Four Kings Mountain Police Department officers recently re- ceived certificates of merit from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education Standards Commission. Awarded Advanced Certificates were Eugene Derek Johnson and Melvin Fred Proctor. Recipients of Intermediate Certificates were Lisa Capps Proctor and Maurice Edward Jamerson. The Advanced Certificate is the highest Professional Certificate awarded to law en- forcement and criminal justice officers in North Carolina. Typically, 500-600 Advanced Certificates are awarded yearly by the Standard Commission. To qualify for the certificate, of- ficers must complete a combi- nation of professional training and relevant education, as well as meet minimum employment requirements. The Standards Commission “Certifies all of the State’s law en- forcement officers, correctional officers., probation and parole officers, and youth services offi- cers. It also established mini- mum employment and training standards, training content, and instruction standards. The Commission maintains certifi- cation files on over 22,000 crimi- nal justice officers. Johnson and Proctor were two off the 157 of- ficers who received the Advanced Certificate at the Commission's quarterly meet- ing in Wilkesboro. Captain Melvin Proctor is as- sistant chief at the Kings Mountain Police Department. He joined the force in 1987 as a patrolman. He has also served as detective sergeant and detec- tive lieutenant. He is a graduate of John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington and is attending Cleveland Community College. He has many special training recognitions including SWAT, Specialized Defensive Instructor, and Specialized Firearms Instructor. He has been named Officer of the Year three times. Some of his mem- berships include the International Chiefs of Police, North Carolina Narcotics Officers Association, and North Carolina Internal Affairs Investigations Association. Lt. Eugene Johnson has been with the Kings Mountain Police Department since October 1, 1988. He began as a reserve of- ficer in 1985 and became a pa- trolman in 1988. He was a member of the Shelby Rescue Squad. Johnson graduated form Kings Mountain High School in 1981 and attended Cleveland Community College. He has training in diving, Management Development, and SWAT with a total of 2,488 hours law enforce- ment related training. He was Sergeant of the Year in 1988 and is a member of the N.C. Law "Enforcement, Officers Association and Cleveland County Fraternal Order of Police. Intermediate Certificate re- cipient Detective Sergeant Lisa Proctor has been with the KM- PD since March of 1992. A 1987 Page 3A ALAN HODGE/THE HERALD Four Kings Mountain Police Department officers were recently given awards by the N.C. Criminal ’ Justice Education Standards Commission. Pictured are, from left; Melvin Proctor, Eugene Johnson, Maurice Jamerson. Not pictured, Lisa Proctor. Four KM police officers earn certificates of merit graduate of Crest High School, Proctor is studying for her AA in Criminal Justice at Cleveland Community College. She has served a a patrol sergeant, DARE officer, and is currently a Detective Sergeant/Narcotics. She made top score on the state Basic Law Enforcement | = Training exam at Isothermal Community College in 1991. She has 1,468 hours of special law enforcement training and was 1995 Kings Mountain Police Department Officer of the Year. A 10-year veteran of the Kings Mountain Police Department and recipient of the Intermediate Certificate, Maurice Jamerson has been with the Detective Division | since June. He is a 1980 gradu- ate of Kings Mountain High School and attended Winston- Salem State College for two years. He has 1,523 hours of law enforcement training and has concentrated on the School Resource Officer position. He has been active in the Boy Scouts and has received com- : mendation from the Kings = Mountain District Schools for his work. CRAWLEY From 1A place on the ballot quickly arose. Commissioner Joe Cabiness, who was defeated in the May primary, was one can- didate mentioned following Crawley’s withdrawal. That question was answered Tuesday night at a meeting of the Cleveland County Republican Party executive committee when Shelby busi- nessman Ray Thomas was unanimously selected to fill Crawley’s spot on the November ballot. : A former county commission- er, Thomas already has ideas in mind for his role should he be elected. | : “My number one goal is to see Cleveland County continue to progress economically,” Thomas said. Though Thomas said there were several issues he could not comment on presently- includ- ing school merger- he did say that he felt it was important to “put the taxpayer’s money back in their pockets.” . Buy now and save! /So, call today! LENNOX ALWAYS SAVES YOU MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. BUT, HOW ABOUT SAVING $750 NOW? Get up to a $750 rebate when you call your Lennox dealer and purchase select Lennox heating and cooling equipment. Nothing beats the total comfort, reliability and efficiency of .Lennox heating and cooling equipment. 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