Wednesday, April 6, 2011
FROM Page 1
who are noted as more “fiscally responsible”
or “conservative”, and operate with a higher
fund balance could see some cuts if the state
decides to make the minimum the law.
Thompson said that the NCACC has been
talking to legislators and plans to clarify that
operating at an 8 percent fund balance level
is “not a statutory requirement but a bare
minimum needed to prevent a county. or city
from receiving a Local Government Com-
mission letter warning of fiscal problems.”
County Manager David Dear agrees.
At 8 percent “they start getting very nery-
ous,” Dear said.
He adds that he too has spoken with local
state legislators and they have not expressed
favor of passing any budget woes onto the
shoulders of the county.
Cleveland County operates with a fund
balance level of about 18 percent, according
to Dear. Eight percent would equate to about
$6.5 million.
If Cleveland County would be forced fo
operate at 8 percent, “(it) would be disas-
trous,” Dear said. “It would force us to raise
property taxes.”
No one wants to do that, he added.
NCACC says that the “8 percent mini-
mum level of fund balance represents
namely one month of county expenditures”.
“That's our operating capital and that's
how we make it day to day,” Dear said.
Although it is still uncertain how tight the
purse strings will be for the county next fis-
cal year, he added, “We need to keep our
funding levels as close to last year’s as we
possibly can.”
Dear said that they may be looking to cut
small items from the budget where they can,
while avoiding big cuts, and they do not an-
ticipate any salary increases next year. The
county is helping provide funding for new
projects like the new Shelby Middle School,
the new LeGrand Center (which will be uti-
lized by the county, Cleveland Community
The Kings Mountain Herald
COUNTY: looks to another tight fiscal year
College, and Cleveland County Schools for a
conference center, new workforce develop-
ment training classes, and the early college
high school) and has several other economic
development projects in the works that could
equate to more jobs and growth in its tax
base.
A cut in funding could stall efforts.
“It would cripple the county. It would put
us in a position where we would be very vul-
nerable,” said commissioner Jason Falls.
“If we hit a bump in the road, we’ll be in
a mess,” said commissioner Ronnie
Hawkins.
“Based on the 8 percent, the Governor’s
Office calculates that North Carolina coun-
ties need only $799 million of their $2 bil-
lion in available fund balance to meet this
‘statutory’ fund balance requirement,” ac-
cording to Thompson. “It is very disconcert-
ing that county insolvency is being suggested
as the silver bullet to manage that state’s
budget. crisis.”
”We understand that the Governor is re-
ally going after local governments for money
to balance the budget,” Dear said. “But local
legislators aren't in favor” of putting the
~ squeeze on the counties. “Most county gov-
ernments are struggling just like the state,”
he added.
Grant money for building schools is al-
ready lined up on the chopping block for
counties, Falls said. “If they take that mohey
away then we’re going to have to pay for that
somehow.”
” personally believe the state needs to be
more fiscally responsible than to take money
from the counties who are fiscally responsi-
ble, who have bigger fund balances and have
larger than the 8 percent allowed,” Hawkins
said. :
“They need to be responsible for what
they're responsible for (just like we are),”
Dear added. “I think we’ve done a good job
on our end.” :
BBQ COOKOFF: kicks off April 15
tion will be held at 9 a.m. on
FROM Page 1
Three vendors are sched-
uled:46 be at the event sell-
ing. BBQ, BBQ ribs, BBQ
sandwiches, funnel cakes,
and roasted corn. Local Boy
Scouts will also be selling
hotdogs and hamburgers.
Kings Mountain’s own
favored’ singer/songwriter
Scoot Pittman will perform
live Friday night from 7-10
p.m. Other talented local
bands are scheduled to per-
form Saturday night.
Kids can enjoy rides from
Miracle Amusement and all
ages can jump into the fun
with the lst Annual BBQ
Cook-Off Cornhole Tourna-
ment on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Entry fee is $25 and registra-
Saturday. All proceeds will
benefit the Cleveland
County Red Cross. First
prize is $100 plus trophies
for first — fourth places.
For more information
contact Ricky Stroup at 704-
477-3179 or Kings Moun-
tain Fire Department at
704-734-0555.
BESSEMER CITY: signs
as city’s new water customer
FROM Page 1
for the first 500,000 gallons and $1.89 for each 1,000 gal-
lons thereafter.
Bessemer City currently uses 1.3 million gallons of water
daily and under the contract is guaranteed 2 million gallons
per day beginning in July.
Corry said that, should the new customer require con-
sumption of 3.5 million gallons of water per day, an inter-
basin transfer permit would be required. He explained details
of the contract during a presentation at city council's regular
meeting.
Kings Mountain has the capacity to treat 8 million gal-
lons of water daily.
Kings Mountain also sells water to neighboring Grover
which uses 600,000 gallons of water daily.
By vote of 6-0, city council adopted a resolution amend-
ing the City of Kings Mountain water rate schedule to add a
special municipal rate and authorized the mayor to enter in to
a contract for the purchase of water by the city of Bessemer
City. Councilman Dean Spears was out of town.
~
HOW TO REACH US
Contact the Herald by coming by the office at 700
E. Gold St.; call 704-739-7496, fax 704-739-0611
or Email emily.kmherald @ gmail.com
NE
Dellinger”s Jewel Shop
112 W. Mountain St., Kings Mountain -
704-739-8031
Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Page 7A
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FROM Page 1
drome, a rare genetic dis-
ease, he has faced a whirl-
wind of challenges.
He wasn’t supposed to
make it to the age of 8, but
he did. A sweet sixteen birth-
day probably wasn’t going to
happen, doctors said, but it
did. His family was told to
definitely not count on a
20th birthday, but Ethan’s
still here. He’ll be 21 in May.
Living with his grandpar-
ents June and Robert Phifer
just a “hop, skip and a jump”
away from the Family Wor-
ship Center in Kings Moun-
tain, Ethan was thrilled to
see the Hoppers in concert so
close to home. He’s one of
their biggest fans. According
to his calculations, he’s at-
tended more than 100-con-
certs.
But then, why wouldn't
he? They helped save his
life.
Symptoms of DiGeorge
syndrome vary greatly be-
tween individuals but com-
monly include a history of
recurrent infection, heart de-
fects and characteristic facial
features.
Ethan’s eyes embody the
crystal clear color of a deep
blue sea reflected by white
sand — deep and full of life.
His heart is aging faster than
~~ his body.
At about eight years old,
Gabriel Thomas, left, and Ethan Phifer at the recent Hopp
WISH: and faith, bring joy to two young men
June said that he was facing
death’s door. He wasn’t gain-
ing weight. He was, how-
ever, enjoying the lyrical
messages of his favorite
Gospel band, the Hoppers.
June took him to one of
their concerts. It was dedi-
cated to Ethan. They brought
him on stage for his favorite
song, “Shoutin’ Time”, Mid-
song, Connie Hopper
stopped the singing and re-
quested congregational
prayer for Ethan’s health.
“She said she knew God
was telling her to do some-
thing,” June said. “Everyone
joined hands and prayed.”
“Two weeks later he
started putting onfweight,”
she added.
He made it past that first
“expiration date”.
“At 20 years old, he was-
n’t supposed to be here,”
June said, but she gives all
the glory to God—the
“Great Physician”. “This is
one of God’s true miracles.”
In Sept. 2009, Ethan’s
wish to see the Hoppers in
concert at the National Quar-
tet Convention in Louisville,
Ken., was granted through
The Wishing Well Founda-
tion USA, Inc. The group’s
single goal is to bring joy to
children with life-threaten-
ing illnesses by providing
them with their fondest wish
in life.
It’s a rebate, wrapped in savings and
topped off with a really great deal.
ers concert. .
“Ethan has a special con-
nection with the Hoppers
and wants to go wherever |
they are appearing, thus his
great desire to attend the Na-
tional Quartet Convention
where he had the pleasure of
seeing and hearing them sev-
eral times throughout the
week,” according to an arti-
cle in the December 2009
edition of the “Singing
News”.
Another wish was
granted when they came to
perform in his hometown,
even in his neighborhood.
He admires the Hoppers, not
just for their musical talents,
but also for their faith. He
shares the faith. He’s known
the struggles.
In the words of the
Gospel song, “Amazing
Grace,” “Through many
dangers, toils and snares I
have already come; ‘Tis
grace hath brought me safe
thus far and grace will lead
me home.” .
“If you’re going to do
.something you’ve got to do
it right,” Thomas said before
the concert.
And if you're out to beat
the odds, the Phifers would
recommend you pray for a
miracle. They’re out there.
- Thomas is the son of
Richard and Lisa Thomas of
Grover.
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