ISCPA Award Winning Newspaper 86 NO. 1 Inst the master Itration file. Ird three citizens residing |e Gaston County area of Is Mountain are reminded Imust register with the |on County Board of jtions, Gastonia, or with Istrar Gordon Lutz at his I® in the Crowders Intain community. His I)® is 739-3701. register in East Kii^s plain at the registrar’s . contact Ruth Hord, 527 lerine Ave. In West Kings Ptain, contact Geraldine |s, 317 Scotland Dr. Call Pt 739-9188 after 12:30 p. jMar. 18 Kings Mountians po to the polls to vote the |tion of establishing an package store and pze sales of beer and wine I 'Premises consumption. KJNQ&JWOUMTAIN MIMOB-HEIALD 15 Cleveland County's Modern Newsweekly" KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA 28086 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13,1975 Monday Is teadline \o Register legistration for the Mar. 18 1 referendum closes Mon., 17. Ihese final registration L will be observed at the Ls of the two registrars Kings Mountain, according jLuther Bennett, KM Itions board chairman, loday and Friday new Vrs or current voters who fe changed their city ad- |ss since their last tstration may register at registrar’s homes; laldine Myers in West KM J Ruth Hord in East KM. It., Feb. 15 from 9 a. m. 15 p. m. the registration Is will be open at the city’s I polling places. The Ar- ^ on Hiifer Rd. (West and at City Hall on Imont Ave. (East KM), fters may also register at Cleveland County Board of Itions office in Shelby, j^st week’s registration led a considerable spurt, ” i Bennett, “especially in t Kings Mountain. During Ibast week there were 227 registrations and 23 Ifers. Mrs. Myers said 110 le new registrations were |e during her hours at The |ory last Saturday.” East Kings Mountain, lett said, “there was a j of 70 new registrations, I them last Saturday at iHall, and six transfers.” vote in the Mar. 18 |al city election, citizeis F be 18-years old "and a ent of the city no less 30 days. Pewant to remind citizens jif they plan to vote in the rendum on March 18 they Bd play it safe and double pk to see they are Itered p-operly,” Bennett I “If you were registered Ite in the last election, but fe since changed your [ess within the city, then [must re-register to be fcle to vote. Your current less must correspond with lone on the registration Is.” |nnett suggests any citizen is unsure about his Itration status to call I Mercier at 739-2192 to her check your status Photo By Tom McIntyre VISIONS OF WINTER-Following the recent were heavy with crystal-coated limbs. Sun- ice and snow storm the sun returned, but shine through the ice-covered limbs gave before its warmth restored order naked trees passersby beautiful visions of winter. Tuesday's Decision Solicitors Must Be Approved By Chamber Attention: solicitors. If you want cooperation and sanction for legitimate solicitations in Kings Mountain you must visit the Chamber of Commerce office. In Tuesday’s meeting at the Kings Mountain Country Club directors of the chamber and merchants association voted to institute a clearing house service on solicitations as a means of protecting businessmen and residents possible fraud. It was pointed out that several times in past years both businessmen and citizens have been taken for money that ended up in some con- man’s pocket. Bob Smith, who chaired the committee investigating the clearing house service, told the gathering the committee recommends printed signs be prominently displayed in industrial and business offices in Kings Mountain stating that all solicitors must be ap proved by the chamber of commerce. “There should be at least a three-man committee set up to approve or disapprove the solicitor’s application,” Smith said. jater Rate Committee orks On Recommendations r Mayor’s Utility Rate f ^eramittee is winding and plan a peeting Tues., Feb.25 to lit! ‘■®™™.mendations to I ^ e^nimissioners. |e mam recommendations include an tl schedule, a tmerl outside the surcharge, a Int "nf" ‘P°®"»bly 50 Inated ^e late t year, f eonsumers affectif by the fee schedule change July 1, 1974, a permanent com mittee of commissioners be formed to keep tabs on competitive utility rates, and a standard policy be adopted to first give notice and hold a public hearing before changes are made in utility rates. The only recommendation that Chairman Sincox voiced any misgivings about at 'Tuesday’s meeting was the recompensation to the large water consumers by the city. “I’m all for re compensation to these industries,” Sincox said. “I think, and we ha'"- proven, they were injustly charged higher fees when the new rates were put into effect last July, because the figures on. which commissioners based the new rate were erroneous, or at least this committee has not been able to duplicate them.” The string committeeman BufordDeFore asked for; that the recompensation to in dustry by the city be done at the rate the city decides but not to exceed 18 months - was the misgiving Sincox voiced. (Please Turn To Page 2A) Max Mayhew was named chairman and Ron Plummer and Bob Smith as vice chairman. This committee will be a permanent activity. Unlike the Gaffney, S. C. Chamber of Commerce, which requires all solicitation ap plicants to wait three days before a decision is made, the Kings Mountain clearing house will give approval as soon as certification of the solicitor’s credentials comes through. Solicitors gaining chamber approval will be given a letter which can be presented when the solicitor approaches business, industry or citizen. Chamber President Carl DeVane suggests that any citizen approached by solicitation agents to contact the Chamber office, 739-5051, if the citizen has any doubts concerning the agent’s credentials. In other business Bill Bates discussed with directors of both chamber and merchants association m^hods of setting up officer and director positions within the merged organizations. A decision is promised when the new merger bylaws are completed, presented and voted on at a general mem bership meeting in Ajx-il. DeVane told the gathering the ward equalization study committee has still not received requested in formation concerning residents and addresses from the Mayor’s office. Land Use Update Is Highlighted By TOM McINTYRE Editor, Mirror-Herald Kings Mountain has received an update on its land development plan and in Monday’s commissioners meeting Mayor John H. Moss hit the plan highlights. The plan, developed through the North Carolina Natural and Economic Resources Department, gives a straight portrait of the city, it’s boundaries and landuse within. But the plan does more; it is designed to provide general and flexible guidelines for the future growth and development of the city for the next 20 years. In his highlighting. Mayor Moss said, “Our 1965 study shows the city containing 2,100 acres. In 1975 that acreage has increased to 3,200.” The update indicates land uses in acres and shows that residential acres through 1974 totals 1,562 or 48 percent of total city acreage of 3,235. The second largest land mass is 1,022 acres, most of which is vacant, is used for agriculture and highway rights of way. “As you can see we still have quite a bit of un developed land Within the city limits,” the mayor said. Drys Urge Registration Dr. D. T. McFarland, executive secretary of Christian Action League of N. C., urged those opposed to establishing an ABC package store in Kings Mountain to work toward getting citizens registered. Addressing a crowd of approximately 200 persons attending a Dry meeting at First Wesleyan Church Tuesday night. Dr. Mc Farland reminded that the special election is scheduled T^es., Mar. 18. Dr. Charles Edwards, local leader opposing package stores and beer and wine sales for off-premises consumptiai, said the main question on the floor at 'Tuesday’s meeting was the matter of registration of ward three citizens living in the Gaston County area of the city. “That small group of people living in Kings Mountain, but within the boundaries of Gaston County, must either register to vote in this special election at Gaston County Board of Elections or with Gordon Lutz of Crowders Mountain,” Dr. Edwards said. Anyone desiring tran sportation for registration, call First Baptist Church 739- 3651 or Rev. S. W. Avery 739- 3772. The final Dry meeting prior to the election is scheduled for Mon., Mar. 3 at 7:30 p. m. at, Boyce Memorial ARP Church. Right Zip, Wrong City The mail goes throu^. Even when the city it is mailed to does not exist. Randy Sims is going to receive a letter mailed in Greenville, S. C., but only because the zip code is correct. The l^ter was addressed to Sims, P. 0. Box 977, Foote Mineral, N. C. 28086. KMers will be surprised to learn the name of the city has been quietly changed, according to Postmaster Charles Alexander. Commercial business exists on 135 or four percent of the city’s acreage; and industrial use accounts for 256 acres, or seven percent. The remaining 260 acres is used as public and semi-public acreage. Development guidelines for the future will essentially follow the existing pattern as far as how the land is used presently, but with an eye on more organization to promote compatable patterns. The study delves into the city’s responsibility in zoning actions on which will allow a smoother implementation of the proposed land use plan. It is also pointed out the city has the responsibility for the one- mile perimeter outside the existing boundaries. “Future planning we already know includes 15)- dating zoning ordinances, construction of a by-pass from 74 West to 1-85 East,” Mayor Moss said. “Plans also call for studies on thoroughfares running north and south We want to be able to move traffic efficiently in our city.” MASTERS TO SPEAK Bennett Masters will speak next Monday night at the Alpha and Omega Bible Class meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Moss, Grover Rd Interested persais are invited to attoid The mayor said on Fd). 20 the first community development public hearing is planned “and we will see the exciting opportunities in this program.” In other action the com missioners unanimously voted to adopt a resolution for building code permit procedures in flood hazaroud areas. The resolution empowers the codes administrator (building inspector) to review all building permit ap plications for new con struction or substantial im provements to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding. The resolution also covers proposed sites for subdivision development to make sure these proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage, and that utility facilities are situated, elevated and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage, and to make sure proper drainage is planned against flooding. Commissioners authorized legal proceedings for the demolition of 24 con demned dwellings in the city. The request for this action wa s submitted several months ago by Black Leonard, codes administrator. The dwellings and owners include; 507 and 508 Cherokee St., H. L. Patrick, 215 Fulton Dr., Denny heirs, 506 , 217, 207, 114,108, 112, no, 215 Linwood, 11 and 27 Bennett Dr., 405 and 407 Chestnut, 416 Clinton, 804 Fourth, 416 Battleground, 505 Woodside and 302 Piedmait, all owned by Nan Jean Grant. Also 801 Gantt, Helen 'Turner Lattimore, 704 Gantt, Viola White (W. K. White), 212 E. Ridge, W. M. Craft and 820 Fourth, Eula England, Charles and Melvin Bagwell. Leonard told the board a 11 of these dwellings are vacant and have been for sometime. - Awarded Durham Life Ins. Co. the contract for city employe group insurance for the coming year, including life insurance and hospitalization benefits. ~ Okayed advertising for bids on a new loader-backhoe for the water-sewer dq)art- ment. - Authorized filing of ap plication with the Local Government Commission and designating authorized representative (Mayor Moss) for peak shaving plant for the city’s natural gas system. 'The mayor will be authorized to handle procedures for $110,000 in bonds, the city’s portion of costs on the plant con struction. - Heard a brief report from City Attorney Jack White on annexation. Broyhill Speaks At KM Luncheon Rep. James Broyhill will address the Kings Mountain Rotary Club at a luncheon today at the country club. Rotarian Kyle Smith arranged the Congressman’s visit. The seven-term 10th District Representative from Lenoir has been an outspoken critic recently of Congressional recess in the face of such vital energy and economic legislation past due for action. REP. JAMES BROYHILL Voltage Record Shows Southwoods Power OK Low voltage and high power bills brought demands for some answers from Southwoods Subdivision residents two weeks ago. The day after that city commission meeting Harry Wilson, electrical department superintendent, had an additional transformer installed at the Southwoods utility outlet to try to find those answers. A 24-hour recording was made of voltage going to Southwoods residences and showed the load was within the expected two percent error factor during that period. Within this error factor voltage would not be so weak as to fail to power a color TV to bring out colors, to cause an oven to malfunction nor a clothes dryer to generate lukewarm heat. Yet, these are the complaints of the South- woods residents, that and the doubled city electric bills. Wilson submitted his voltage records to Southeastern Consulting Engineers, Inc. and in return received a meter accuracy chart and a letter from W. H. Little Jr. The chart is for a 240-volt General Electric meter, the type used by the city, and indicated that even operating at only 50 percent of the rated voltage the meter will read correctly for resistive loads such as lights and heaters and less than one percent error for loads such as motors and heat pumps. In his letter. Little said, “It is also in teresting to note that any error would make the meter run slow. However, for voltage levels within the plus or minus 10 percent range, 216- 264 volts, you can readily see that the meter will read accurately. ...” Little said he would also like to point out that the state utility commission will allow an error of plus or minus two percent. According to voltage recordings from the additional transformer Southwoods is receiving adequate power, but according to that area’s residents they are not receiving enough power to make a low watt light bulb glow at certain periods of the day. Wilson said he is continuing daily voltage recordings in the Southwoods area and is making those readings available on a chart which will be available for viewing by homeowners.

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