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Wednesday, December 24, 2003
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KINGS MOUNTAIN
Vol. 115 No. 52
Since 1889
or Kings Creek
at City Stadium
50 Cents
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agreement, three other cases go to trial
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
Seven area video poker opera-
tors owe the City of Kings
Mountain over $500,000 in civil
fines with over $300,000 being
levied against one operator. Of that
amount, $64,572 is due in 15 days.
In Cleveland County Superior
Court last week, four of those
operators reached agreements with
the city avoiding a civil trial.
Superior Court Judge James W.
Morgan presided.
The American Legion's agree-
ment is unique. The non-profit vet-
eran’s organization was fined
$23,000 but only had to come up
with $3,000. The Legion agreed to
make $20,000 in volunteer work,
cash donations and in-kind dona-
tions to the city over a five year
period.
The Legion has 15 days to
remove its poker machines. The
$3,000 fine also is due within 15
days.
Mike Heath was fined $23,312.50
for having the machines illegally at
Mike's Fireworks. He was fined
the same amount for having
machines at Lynn's Gameroom. Of
that fine, $23,312.50 will be due in
10 days. The city will also have a
judgment for the remaining
$23,312.50 which it will hold with-
out proceeding on, pending any
appeals.
Danny Goforth must pay $23,685
to the city within 10 days for hav-
ing the machines at Little Dan's.
Dennis Goins of Friendly
Billiards was fined a total of
$20,650 but has already paid $6,075
to the city. That leaves a balance of
$14,575 due within 10 days.
Heath, Goforth and Goins have
75 days to move the machines out-
side the city and its two-mile extra
territorial jurisdiction.
The fines levied against the
Legion and the three men were set-
tled at 50 percent of the original
fine.
Cases against AmVets, the VFW
and Don Johnson went to trial.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
The city was awarded a $47,725
judgment against AmVets. A
$95,450 judgment was ordered
against the VFW. Judgments
against Johnson reached $304,375.
Both Johnson and the two organi-
zations must remove the machines
within five days.
The penalties against Johnson
were levied over video poker
machines at K&R Billiards, Soap’N
Sud, Bessemer City Express, Pete’s
#1, Pete's Gulf and K&M
Games. Johnson may be able to
keep theémachines at K&M Games
if the Kings Mountain Board of
Adjustment approves a conditional
use permit during its January
meeting.
Johnson has publicly spoken out
against the city. He calls the actions
against him unconstitutional,
After South Carolina outlawed
video poker machines, truckloads
came across the state line into
Kings Mountain, according to
Mayor Rick Murphrey. The
machines created an environment
conducive to criminal activity, offi-
cials say. According to Murphrey,
family members of people who
were gambling away entire pay-
checks approached the city asking
for help.
“Kings Mountain had to take a
stand,” Murphrey said.
State laws prohibit any one
See Poker , 3A
City accomplished
much during vear
HER
BEREAN
GARY STEWART/ HERALD
The annual Christmas light display at the home of Grady and Katie Costner of Midpines is one of the most unique in
the area. More pictures are on page 2B.
Budget balance pleases mayor
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
The City of Kings Mountain came in
$775,909 under budget on its fiscal year
2002-2003 audit, leaving the town’s
mayor smiling. :
“That's something to be excited
about in this economy while still main-
taining services,” Mayor Rick
Murphrey said last week.
The general fund is at $8,411,949,
that’s $775,909 under budget.
Churches give 400 food boxes,
Murphrey said the town has not had
to impose new taxes. Sewer fees did go
up due to an increase from the City of
Gastonia which treats part of the
town’s waste.
The general fund is at 19.2 percent.
The Local Government Commission
only requires city’s keep it at eight per-
cent. The general fund grew $87,779
over last year.
The town has a total debt of $5.2 mil-
lion with $400,000 of that being short
term. In November, the city finished
9,000 toys to needy families
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
Several area churches are making
Christmas brighter for area residents affect-
ed by the down turn in the economy.
The Earthen Vessels program gave away
400 food boxes and 9,000 toys Saturday
morning. Started by the Pastor’s Prayer
Group, the program also sponsors a month-
ly food distribution which serves around
200. Numbers were up due to the holiday.
The nine-member group held the first hol-
iday giveaway last year. The monthly distri-
butions began in June. The group uses an
old Phifer Road warehouse owned by Kings
Mountain District Schools.
Recipients are given vouchers through the
churches, schools and the City of Kings
Mountain.
There are no church membership
| FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Celebrating 129 Years
ments to receive help.
“We're trying to let the love of God be the
testimony, not be preachy,” Rev. Roger
Woodard said.
Compassion.
estimates that without Operation
Compassion it would have cost $8,000 to
purchase Saturday’s food.
require- See Churches, 3A
The assistance supplements the work of
Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry serving
clients beyond Kings Mountain and Grover.
Much of the food given away during the
monthly distribution is donated by local
churches. The group spent $4,000 on
Saturday's give away. Most of that food is
purchased through the national Operation
That ministry enables local food banks to
purchase food below retail value. Woodard
Locally, Harris Teeter donated grocery
bags and McDonalds provided breakfast for
Kings Mountain
300 W. Mountain St.
704-739-4782
paying off $75,000 in equipment. In
November, the N.C. 161 peak shavings
electric plant will be paid off.
“Overall the finances of the city are
in good shape,” Murphrey said.
He credited city employees, citizens,
and the city council for the budget. °
He credited the financial situation
partially to programs employees sug-
gested. The city saved $400,000 by self
insuring itself on health coverage.
The peak shaving plants are another
See Budget, 3A
pack food during Saturday’s Christmas distribution to needy families in the Kings
Mountain area.
Gastonia Shelby Bessemer City
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
Revised industrial incen-
tive grants and a successful
fight against illegal video
poker games are among the
accomplishments city offi-
cials are proud of lookin
back on 2003. ;
Industrial incentive grants
requirements were loosened
to allow companies easier
access to the money which
is used to attract and retain
“them. Both Gibson
Industries and MRA
Industries were recruited to
the area and STI and Tube
Enterprises made major
upgrades, Mayor Rick
Murphrey said.
Last week, fines totaling
over $500,000 were levied
against seven video poker
operators. The civil trial
came after police raided sev-
eral businesses last year
after complaints from resi-
dents.
Under the Homeland
Security banner, the Kings
Mountain Police and Fire
departments formalized
communications with coun-
ty, state and federal agencies
in the event of a threat to
domestic security. The
police department also
made over 130 drug related
arrests during Operation
Sleigh Ride.
The police department
was awarded over $300,000
in Governor's Highway
Safety funds to purchase a
new vehicle and hire more
officers. Murphrey praised
both the police and fire
departments for fundrais-
“Street. Work is'now under- "7
ing.
“They're great at finding ;
and securing those grants,” 5%
he said.
City utility workers
moved gas, water and sewer
lines to accommodate the
widening of I-85 to six lanes.
“They worked real hard,”
he said.
A sewer pumping station
was upgraded in : |
‘Northwoods. The first phase i
#
of sewer line extension was
completed along West Gold
way on the second phase,
Murphrey said.
The electric department
added 300 customers.
The fire department con-
tinues to host the state's
rural internet access pro-
gram in its classroom. The
public may use the internet
at no charge. The depart-
ment also replaced a 1972
pumper truck.
A sidewalk was built in
front of Patriot's Park along
Gold Street. Another side-
walk was created along
King Street from Kings
Mountain Hospital to CVS.
In special events, the city
paid extra attention to sol-
diers serving in the war in
Iraq. The city held a support
the troops rally, a welcome
home ceremony for the
505th National Guard unit -
and sent a signed banner to
soldiers serving in Iraq. The 5
soldiers signed and returned ®
the banner. It is now at the eT
Kings Mountain Historical
Museum.
The city held a National
Night Out for the first time
See City, 3A
529 New Hope Road 106 S Lafayette St.
704-865-1233
704-484-6200
Hy
: JOEY BRYMER / HERALD :
Eleven-year-old Deshun Dawson, right, and Derice Byers of People’s Baptist Church No
225 Gastonia Hwy. § \
704-629-3906 : {!