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"according ‘to Wednesday, November 2,2011 The Kings Mountain Herald MEET THE CANDIDATES Kings Mountain City Council One for At Large Page 1B 4 | BRIAN CLONINGER I'm a newcomer to politics, KM native running as a man of the people, father of three who's aware of finan- cial hardships of citizens. I hope my youth will bring a younger outlook and a fresh face to City Council, BOBBY HORNE My name is Bobby Horne and Kings Mountain has been my home for 52 years. I have experience managing a successful contracting “business for 22 years and my wife Sharon has worked at East School for the past 27 years. We have raised four children.and we have two grandchildren and one daughter-in-law. . One for Mayor GILBERT HAMRICK KM native, disabled vet- eran, former taxi operator, former MP in the Army, is running for change and last challenged the incumbent mayor in 2003. His plat- form: Give our community center back to the people, cut the budget, stop waste- ful spending, we need jobs. RICK MURPHREY. Incumbent | KM resident more than 35 years,.I'd like to thank the citizens for the honor and privilege to serve Kings © Mountain for the past 18 years (6 as coungilmember, including 4 as mayor pro- tem, 12 as mayor). Atlantic Christian College graduate. Retired 42-year textile exec- utive. Married to Sandra 44 years. Sunday School teacher, member of First Baptist Church, Kings Mountain. 3 KEITH MILLER In Kings Mountain 22 years. Served on City Coun- cil, Planning Board, Adjust- ments Board, and Finance Committee. Saved over $1 million last term. Degree in Political Science, getting Masters in Public Adminis- tration. Manage money and issue bonds for cities and utilities. I'm the most edu- cated and experienced of the six candidates. Ward 1 JERRY MULLINAX KM native, I want to come back after a two-year ab- “sence on the board because 1 love Kings Mountain and I have always strived.to rep- resent all the people. An * Army veteran I served 10 years on, city council, 6 from Ward II and 4 from Ward 111. ROY ‘BUTCH’ PEARSON Born at KM Hospital to Roy and Elvia Pearson, married to Margaret, 20 years, rais- ing two sons here in KM. = Christened at Grace Methodist, baptized at First Baptist, married at First Presbyterian, found a Christian home at Central Methodist. He's served on several service councils, committees, some of which he’s chaired. A coach and experienced municipal man- ager at Gastonia Airport. Ward 4 CURTIS PRESSLEY Married to Evelyn Roberts, we have three sons. I am a graduate of Gardner-Webb University. I am an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church where I serve in various leadership roles. I grew up in Kings Mountain, played sports at the commu- nity center (now YMCA) and KMHS. I am a person who will be responsible, ac- countable and accessible. Ward 5 HOWARD SHIPP RODNEY GORDON Incumbent Incumbent Assistant Pastor of New. Life-long resident of KM, Life Christian Church, in- cumbent councilman ~Howard Shipp has served 12 years from Ward I. Shipp credits council with work- ing hard and accomplishing attended KM Public Schools, graduated from KMHS, then from Gaston College. I have worked my entire career in the HVAC “industry, am licensed by the RICK MOORE Incumbent Ward V Incumbent Rick Moore has served eight years on city council and seeks a fourth term. He says, "Give us a call when there's a need. We represent the people, not Party domi- goals but he says there's more work ahead. state, co-owner of Carolina Air Solutions. Married to Vickie Metcalf Gordon 30 years. I've had the honor of serving on the city council Jor 6 consecutive years (4 y as Mayor pro-tem). -nated." What these candidates envision ~ for Kings Mountain The Kings Mountain Herald asked all of the candidates, currently running for city. council, their views on things such as offering in- centives to industries, help- ing those in need, and the biggest issues they believe the board will face in the next few years. Each ques- tion is followed by the an- swers from each candidate, whose names are listed be- side their statements in- bold. Candidates were lim- ited to 50 words per answer. In some cases, answers were edited to fit within a 60-word limit. Candidates and their’ responses are listed in alphabetical order their last name. Q1) Why do you want to serve on city council? BRIAN CLONINGER - I want to serve on City: Council because I believe the citizens of Kings Moun- tain have been unfairly rep- resented for far too long. 1 want to be in a position to help the people who, like me, live from paycheck to paycheck. RODNEY GORDON - I serve on City Council to bring a high level of profes- sionalism and trust that the citizens deserve. I have no outside interferences that be prohibit me from serving with a high level of integrity. I will continue to bring fresh ideas and serve with moral courage. The recycling pro- gram that I instigated in 2009 has been a huge suc- cess. ' GILBERT “PEE WEE” HAMRICK - The reason I am seeking the office of Mayor of Kings Mountain, is so I can help the people. All we have got to do is stop this wasteful spending and cut the budget. For example, what is it doing anyone any good to draw ‘pictures on buildings for thousands of dollars. BOBBY HORNE - The last four years I have been committed to downtown growth and revitalization. Due to the experience work- ing with various people in our city I know that I can continue to work as a team to promote growth and addi- tional job opportunities for all of Kings Mountain. KEITH MILLER -I can best serve the city (and the Lord) by making my educa- tion, experience, gifts at ad- ministration, knowledge of municipal finance and utili- ties, analytics skills, and Godly focus available to guide our decisions, policies, finances. Like a referee, somebody wise has to make the tough calls while main- & taining professionalism. JERRY MULLINAX - I served a total of 10 years (in Ward 2 and Ward 3) as coun- cil member. I feel I still have plenty to offer. RICK MURPHREY - I’ll continue to work in close harmony with citizens, city council, city manager, and staff, county and state De- partment of Commerce. to ensure that Kings Mountain continues to prosper and pro- vide a better quality of life for all residents. One of my primary goals has been to ‘position our city to attract new industry and jobs... ROY “BUTCH” PEAR- SON - Service is a noble cause - I will not profit from serving the Citizens of Kings Mountain. I will represent the entire city, not a particu- lar area that benefits my bank account...I love our city and her Citizens deserve honest, Christian leadership from a candidate born and raised here, that raised hi$ children here, that faith- fully serves his local church. CURTIS PRESSLEY - 1 believe the citizens of Kings Mountain need a person like me, who will listen to the is- sues and will address the is- sues that are important to the citizens of the city, who will always be responsible, al- ways be accountable, always be accessible, fair in their vote, Q2) What do you think are the big issues that the council will face in the next few years? What’s the number one goal you would push for if you’re elected? BRIAN CLONINGER - Kings Mountain has the po- ° tential for huge growth in the next five years; City Council will have to find a balance between responsible growth and the city’s zoning codes. - My first objective would be much a much smaller step. I want City Council to take away the $2 per month charge for curbside recy- cling. RODNEY GORDON - One of the biggest issues is replacing underground water lines. Other big issues we face are retirement of tenured department heads and employees, preparing for future growth and gener- ating additional | revenue without tax/utility rate in- creases... There is no num- ber one goal for me except to serve diligently and work on a comprehensive plan that is good for the entire city. GILBERT “PEE WEE” HAMRICK - To try and get textile and other companies to come to Kings Mountain, after all we have all the ne- cessities to offer them: elec- tric, natural gas, sewage and water. Plus we are located right next to I-85. Then we can get our people back to work. BOBBY HORNE - The new water lines are a big concern and continuing to recruit new businesses and therefore jobs for our citi- zens. I am working on some - projects at this time estimat- ing six to ten new jobs. I also would like to devise a plan to raise money to enhance our city park and streetscapes.’ KEITH MILLER - $35 million in bonds to upgrade spillway, water/sewer lines, treatment plants and electric grid; conversion to a high pressure gas system; tax- payer funding of downtown renovations. Those decisions effect us over the next 30 years. Maximizing efficien- cies in the capital bonds/bud- get and projects will be my number one focus. JERRY MULLINAX - With the Federal Govern- ment broke and the state broke, we as City Govern- ment need to tighten belts, stop useless spending, make an emergency fund for disas- ter and a complete water line to the city. RICK MURPHREY - Jobs; new waterline into town; Fiber Optics to strengthen our system and save our money; attracting - new industry to bring new jobs; assist existing industry . - © - | to expand; maintain compet- . - | itive utility/tax rates; our 10- . - : year land development plan; © - - infrastructure upgrades; pro- mote on-the-job education for our associates; continue to upgrade city support serv- ices; and financial stability. . ROY “BUTCH” PEAR- SON - We must focus our energies on securing jobs for the Citizens of Kings Moun- tain. My children are fifth generation residents but our youth are moving away. I will work to provide our young people with activities and the promise of employ- ment here in Kings Moun- tain. Davidson Park and our youth recreational facilities, need to be completely revi- talized.../ CURTIS PRESSLEY - Unemployment, growth, utility rates. I would push for more activities/recreation for all of our youth. I believe that industries not only want good schools and safe neigh- See CITY CANDIDATES, 2B ¥
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Nov. 2, 2011, edition 1
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