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KINGS Thursday, July 31, 2003 Vol. 115 No. 31 Ly Since 1889 50 Cents Beach Blast ——— «5 KM E— 1B ‘Just doing our job’ Kings Mountain police officers save woman from burning home By GARY STEWART Editor of The Herald Two young Kings Mountain police officers who rescued a woman from a burning house last Wednesday afternoon said they were just doing their job. Mary Martin, who couldn’t walk because of health problems, was trapped inside the home at 110 Cameron Drive. The home, owned by Theresa Eaker, was damaged approximately $40,000, according to Kings tion and thus far the cause is undetermined. He said the origin was at the foot of a day bed in one of the bedrooms and appears to be accidental. Officer W.E. Ellis was close to the area when he heard the 911 call and drove quick- ly to the scene. Officer Tony Walker arrived moments later. A 14-year-old girl and an elderly lady had gotten out of the house and were at the door leading from an inside garage to the house. When he learned Martin was still inside Kings Mountain police officers W.E. Ellis, Council { to meet on term limits August 12 BY ANDIE L. BRYMER Staff Writer During its Tuesday meeting, the Kings left, and Tony Walker rescued a woman from Mountain City Council voted to call a Mountain Fire Chief Frank Burns. the house, Officer Ellis told the others to Burns said the fire is still under investiga- See Job, 3A a burning home on Cameron Drive Wednesday afternoon WELCOME HOME special meeting in two weeks, Aug. 12, to to consider calling a referendum enlarg- ing the mayor and council members Tax Break School supplies exempt 3 days BY ANDIE L. BRYMER Staff Writer A state sales tax holiday weekend, beginning Friday, means consumers don’t pay the tax on clothes, school supplies and some comput- er equipment. The day is a boon for back to school shoppers and merchants. “Its real positive, certain- ly a kick in business,” said John McGinnis, owner of McGinnis Department Store in Kings Mountain. Last year, McGinnis watched sales go up 20 to 25 percent. He anticipates similar numbers this week- end. ; The store is open its regu- lar hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p-m. on Saturday. Cleveland Mall Manager Elizabeth Hoyle says the holiday is particularly good for business during the eco- ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD Members of the 505th Engineer Combat Batttalion (Heavy) file into the First Baptist Church sanctuary Tuesday morning. Returning National Guardsmen honored at Tuesday ceremony terms from two years to four years. The matter was part of the regular agenda and there was no discussion. In other business, council member Gene White had placed on the agenda a request that the council discuss ways to improve the economic status of the town and gas purchases. The council opted to schedule a work session instead upon the advice of city manager Phil Ponder. White was agreement. “This is the kind of thing that is going to take all day long,” White said during a break Tuesday night. Area historian Bruce Cloninger asked the city council if special markers could be put on the graves of Confederate vet- erans at Mountain Rest Cemetery. The markers are provided by the Veterans Administration and would fit next to the i existing marker. Honoring the veterans is not a racial | issue, according to Cloninger. \ CS “We honor all veterans, black, white, Native American, who served in that war (Civil War),” he said: 4 : Cloninger said there are historical records that indicate African Americans from Cleveland County received pensions i from serving in the Confederate Army. No action was taken on the request. City manager Phil Ponder distributed two memos to the media regarding a skate park and a sewer request for the Westover community. He recommended that the council delay any immediate action on a skate park until a September work session. “Currently, we have no funds budgeted for this project and it is one of many capi- tal projects being evaluated for future funding. Rather than consider this project in isolation, I feel that it will be important i AR nomic downturn. “With the economy being like it is, we can use an increase,” she said. The mall has extended its hours to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Hoyle says the mall had a great turn out last year when the tax holiday debuted in North Carolina though it still loses some business to South Carolina. In that state, the rules on what can be purchased and how much can be spent are more lenient. According to the state Department of Revenue website, clothing, footwear, See Tax, 3A BY ANDIE L. BRYMER Staff Writer A military band played, a small flower arrangement deco- rated with American and state flags sat at the front of the First Baptist Church sanctuary, family . members piled into pews, veter- ans whispered about hurrying up and waiting. Finally the people they had all come to honor entered from the doors behind them. Dressed in fatigues uniforms, the 505th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) received a standing ova- tion. “We're here to welcome home patriots,” said Major General William E. Ingram Jr., adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. Colonel James Hickey who commanded the soldiers praised the battalion. “They did their job fantastical- ly,” he said. : The group guarded sensitive military installations in . Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. “You've guarded our nations secrets. You've protected it (National Security Administration) well,” Hickey said. During the 10 month deploy- ment, many of the soldiers com- pleted additional training. They also helped construct a replica of the Guantanamo Bay prison where suspected terrorists are detained. Guards will use the replica to train, Hickey said. Lil Ingram, wife of Major General Ingram, praised the fam- ilies. “Your strength amazes me. Your patriotism touches my heart,” she said. Other dignitaries included Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey, mayors from Gastonia and Forrest City, Congressman Cass Ballenger and other area representatives and Deputy Secretary for Crime Control and Public Safety Jon Williams. The Kings Mountain Police Department honor guard also participated in the service. Members of the Headquarters Support Company include James Ernst, Matthew Russo, Charles See Guard, 3A to consider this project in relation to other pressing capital needs,” Ponder wrote. Ponder does plan to visit Hickory where that city is constructing a skate =» park. : Ponder also recommend delay on Westover sewer funding. He called the = sewer project “a very expensive undertak- ing.” “With no funds currently budgeted and little hope of generating necessary water and sewer revenues in the near future, I would recommend that council delay any action on this matter until our work ses- sion in September,” he wrote. Shirley Brutko was reappointed to the Kings Mountain Tourism Development Authority. Tiffany Mullis and Dee Pandya were also appointed. Tim Waters was re- appointed as chairperson. Smith Lingerfelt and Claude Frazier were appointed to the Moss Lake Commission. National Night Out Tuesday at gazebo On Tuesday, neighborhoods across Kings Mountain are invited to join forces with communities nationwide for the 20th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention program. : The city will host the event at the Gazebo at Patriots Park from 7 to 10 p.m. There will be a cook out and entertain- ment by the Mink Band. The Booze it or Lose It BAT Mobile will be on display along with a K-9 unit. The Kings Mountain Police Explorers will give out child identification kits. " Other participants include the Kings Mountain Rescue Squad, D.A.R.E., Kings Mountain Police Honor Guard, N.C. State Highway Patrol and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. Ross, Hambright file for Council ANDIE L. BRYMER Staff Writer ney Mickey Corry and city employees. The filing period ends Friday. So far, the coun- cil’s other at large member, Rick Moore, has filed for re-election. Houston Corn, William “Bill” Marcellino and Gary D. Joy have also filed for the two at large seats. Brenda Ross filed Tuesday for the Ward 2 seat challenging incumbent Jim Guyton. She also ran two years ago. “I just want to offer my services again to repre- sent the people and let their wishes be known,” she said. Ross said if elected she will work to recruit new industry to the town. Prior to retirement, she worked as a customer service representative at Grover Industries. She is a member of Grace United Methodist Church. See Council, 3A Gene White, an at large Kings Mountain city council member, will not seek re-election. The often outspoken council member gave the media a press release during a break in Tuesday night's council meeting. In that press release, White describes the city as in a period of major economic transition due to the “demise of the tex- tile industry.” He calls for the council to immediately examine the challenges facing the city. “Personal differences must be set aside and each of the respective elected officials must do their statutorially mandated jobs without infringement upon the other,” he wrote. White praised city manager Phil Ponder, attor- See Night, 3A Sane HAMBRIGHT Gastonia Shelby 529 New Hope Road 106 S Lafayette St. 704-865-1233 704-484-6200 Kings Mountain 300 W. Mountain St. 704-739-4782 Bessemer City 225 Gastonia Hwy. 704-629-3906 |_©)a) Gp ; YOUR § Ll a [ZT FIRST NATIONAL BANK Celebrating 129 Years
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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July 31, 2003, edition 1
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