|, §
Vol. 117 No. 26
Thursday, July 7, 2005
Work halted on
City of KM apparently failed to get
an easement from property owner
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
The City of Kings Mountain is
working out an agreement with a
property owner whose land was
apparently used for a sewer pump sta-
tion without an easement. However,
council members have heard little
about the issue.
An existing city pump station is
located at the end of South Cherokee
Street and is accessed from Wilson
A fabulous
4th
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
Clutching American flags in their hands,
the crowds sang along to Lee Greenwood’s
“I'm Proud To Be An American” Monday
night at the municipal walking track during
the City of Kings Mountains annual
Fabulous Fourth celebration.
“Through my travels abroad I don’t think
I've seen a more patriotic town,” Army
National Guard recruiter Greg Thompson
said. “Thank you for your support past, pres-
ent and future.”
This year’s ceremony honors members of
the 505th National Guard Unit which will be
sent to Iraq for a second deployment in
August.
“There are so many places across the
world that don’t have the freedoms we do.
We need to celebrate,” Police Sgt. Lisa
Proctor said as she welcomed everyone.
Dressed as a Revolutionary War-era patri-
ot, Mayor Rick Murphrey rode horseback
around the track carrying a Continental flag.
In his remarks he made reference to the
Battle of Kings Mountain which happened
just miles south of the city in 1780.
“The mountain men won a great and deci-
sive victory for the colonies,” Murphrey said.
Speaking of the current war, Murphrey
said, “Our enemies have been put on notice.
As we celebrate our independence we stand
together for God and country.”
The Loch Norman Pipe Band, Cub Scout
Pack 95, members of the Army National
Guard 505th and Mountain Man Dale
Putnam joined the mayor for the parade.
Lindsey Bledsoe sang the National
Anthem. Sabrina Collias followed with “God
Bless America” and Cellia Collias with “My
Country Tis of Thee.”
Mountain Man Dale Putnam fired his mus-
ket as the lights went down. Minutes later a
fireworks show started.
Earlier that evening Kelsey DiMarco
played popular hits for the crowds.
Baptism of ‘openness and
Outdoor pool perfect for
paraplegic Drew Meiers
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
As the crowd sang “He is Lord. He is risen from the dead” Dr.
John Sloan and two church members lowered Drew Meiers into the
swimming pool.
The singing continued.
“Every tongue shall confess. Every knee shall bow. He is risen
from the dead.”
The minister clasped one hand over Meiers’ nose, the other
across his forehead. Meiers was then submerged in the ancient ritu-
al.
“Buried with him in Baptism. Raised to walk in newness of life,”
Sloan said, and the rite was complete.
Applause erupted from Meiers’ First Baptist Church family.
Meiers, 28, had a spiritual rebirth 18 months ago.
“I came to the Lord,” he said. “I realize how much the Lord has
done for me, what he went through for all of us to get us into
Heaven.”
Meiers describes a void in his life. He was ready when neighbors
See Baptism, 3A
Street. Apparently work on the new
pump started before an easement was
secured. The land in question belongs
to Mary Helen Patrick.
“We've met with officials from the
city. We're working toward a solu-
tion,” Patrick’s attorney Rob Deaton
said Friday.
The Herald was able to reach six
council members Tuesday. All said
they knew little, if anything, about the
project.
INGS MOUNTAIN
Since 1889
ump station
Work was halted on a new sewer pump station at the end
of South Cherokee Street when issues arose over an
See Pump, 2A
easement.
Lyler Leach signs
pro contract with
ANDIE BRYMER / HERALD
Kings Mountain's annual Fourth of July celebration Monday at Jake Early Park and the
municipal walking track attracted a huge crowd. In top photo, the crowd gathers at the
municipal walking track for a concert, patriotic program and fireworks. Lower left, Jessica
Randolph literally hangs around at the park playground, and lower right Cassie Morton, left,
Alex Pace and Autumn Pace have fun on a tire swing at the playground.
S 9
O
* a community
JOSEPH BRYMER/HERALD
Dr. John Sloan, right, prepares to baptize Drew Meiers with assis-
tance from Ron Humphries, center, and Russell Van Dyke.
» §
RT LOT¥XC Of
Cardinals
6A
O
3 file early for
KM mayor seat
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer |
Three candidates, including one
incumbent, have entered the race for
mayor of Kings Mountain. Two incum-
bent city council members also have
filed for re-election.
Mayor Rick Murphrey, Kyle Smith
and Gilbert “Peewee” Hamrick filled
with Cleveland County Board of
Elections for the mayoral post and :
Howard Shipp and Jerry Mullinax have
filed for Council.
Smith served as mayor from 1987 to
1991. Before that he served on the
Kings Mountain District Schools board
for a decade. =
During his mayoral term, the city i
hired its first manager. Since then six or
seven people have filled that post,
according to Smith.
“I think the record speaks for itself,”
he said. “I just want to see it run by a
city manager.” i
After retiring from the Navy, Smith
worked in Kings Mountain as a person-
nel manager in the textile industry. He
has served as president of both the
Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, has chaired
the Cleveland County Red Cross and
Cleveland Vocational boards and '&
served for 28 years on the Kings
Mountain United Way board.
A 20-year Red Cross volunteer, Smith
See Filing, 4A
Davis named
police chief
in Grover
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER }
Staff Writer
A Grover native will head up the
town’s new police department. Grover
City Council has hired Shane Davis for
the $29,000 annual position.
The seven-year veteran of Kings
Mountain Police :
Department will
be sworn in this
month. Grover
also has a mutual
aid agreement
with Cleveland
County Sheriff's
Office for back-up.
The town has not
yet decided if
additional officers
will be hired.
Davis will start
LN
Joseph Brymer Photo
watch in the Shane Davis will be
town’s three geo- sworn in this month
graphic areas - as chief of Grover’s
downtown, new police depart-
Hardin Hills and ment.
Spring Acres. He's
also planning to meet with churches
and civic groups.
Mayor Robert Sides says Davis will
use a community oriented policing
model.
“They'll see a lot of walking, talking,
especially the older folks. He'll try to
work with the teenagers too,” Sides
said.
The town has experienced some inci-
dents of vandalism.
“I think it’s a small problem. It can
be corrected with the right determined
person at the helm,” Davis said.
His most recent position at KMPD
was patrol sergeant. For three years he
worked in the criminal investigations
division and plans to handle his own
investigations in Grover. Davis also is a
canine handler with Shelby Rescue.
The agency uses the dog for search and 8
rescue.
Davis graduated from Cleveland
See Davis, 2A