IS CPA Award Winning Newspaper KJ MGS^jy^QUIlTAIN MinOB-HimD 15 l/OL. 86 NO. 9 "(leveland County's Modern ^lewsweekly" KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA 28086, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27,1975 iecond Public Hearing Tonight Should The By GARY STEWART Staff Writer ’he second public hearing ing citizens the chance to ommend how the city will ind $4,1600,000 in federal iiiey will be held at 7:30 to- ht in the city council rooni. lixty citizens and city offi- ]s jammed the chambers t Thursday and a number of •sons submitted ideas. enators 1^0 Vote No The city, because of its suc cess with past federal grants, already has the money set aside but one of the require ments in receiving it is that the citizens be a part in plan ning how it wUl be spent. Mike Gouge, planner for the state Division of Community Assistance, was on hand to discuss the guidelines the city must follow, and noted those guidelines are: C n ERA 1) The city must apply for the funds; 2) Citizens must be in formed of what the programs are; 3) A community develop ment summary must be made, showing a three year plan on how the community will improve itself; 4) A housing assistance plan must be provided; 5) A budget must be submit ted. Kings Mountain will receive its funds over a five-year period, receiving $1,040,000 for each of the first three years, $693,000 the fourth year and $347,000 the fifth year. Gouge said the city must prepare summaries of its plans showing how much the programs will cost and where they’ll be located. “And each year,” he said, “you will have to review your application, make new pro posals or amendments, if necessary, and also justify that fun^ for programs im plemented the first year have been implemented.” Before citizens gave their ideas. Mayor John Moss, Re development Commission director Gene White, Housing Authority committee chair man Tom Harper and recrea- f ings Mountain’s two state ators will vote against pas- |e of the Equal Rights nendment. inators OUie Harris and UyMauney have stated they i against passage of ERA fen the issue comes to a vote lie General Assembly. Sen. fchall Rauch of Gastonia a he will not comment on Island at this time. Rauch S ported the amendment in last session. t’ve made up my mind,” |ris said. “I’m going to vote |inst it. I would be in favor Istate-wide r^erendum bh Jut my mail has been run- against it. think it would do more ige than good,” Harris ;inued. “For example. It would you do about ;r children?” launey said, “I voted ist it last session, so to be hstent I guess I’ll vote mst it again. I believe it interfere with state laws ; protect women. A man is required to sup- this wife and children,” he [inued. “If that law passes, 3 will just leave their fami- . 1 believe in the obligation i man to support his wife [family. I don’t believe in |ng him a license to walk :Ahas been ratified by 34 es. Only four more are re ed before the amendment become law. Schools To Aid In I Recreation heboardof education at its Jithly meeting Thursday pt agreed to lend use of Sool recreation facilities for Inty-wide recreation. Mpt Don Jones, a member (he Cleveland County As- Sation of Government Offi- [s (CAGO), said his group jfently completed a survey lossible available facilities |d they need our coopera te group’s goal is to obtain ^rnment money to fund a pity-wide program concen- on summer activities. P s a waste to have facili- ^and not get full use out of commented board pman George Mauney. h other action, the board: ^Approved a curriculum pnsion program for Cental so its students can see pthwhile movies” at Jov fatre. [Set March 14 as the date lae^cation ceremcmies at (J- Barnes Auditorium. I med down a request by P-A Mauney estate to sell p o sacross from Central r‘to the school system. I was informed that the Fls will receive 22 percent pc federal funds available through Title 1. fbywill receive 27 percent [ ‘he county 51. [Appointed James Scruggs L "" Lee and Jim E “ to a committee to t Bill next pman committee FINALIZING REPIHIT- Dr. Frank Sincox, chairman of the water rate utility committee, and his group met for the last time Tuesday Photo By Tom McIntyre night to smooth out thdr recommendations on water fee rates which will be submitted to the commissioners Mar. 24. Water Rate Studiers Ready To Present Recommendations By TOM McIntyre Editor, Mirror-Herald The Mayor’s Water Rate UtiUty Committee will present its findings and recommenda tions to city commissioners Mon., Mar. 24. Nine specific recommenda tions for council consideration include; (1) That the special com mittee approach be applied to future idifferences of opinion and that such committees investigate in depth matters for the city council. (2) That the city continue to realize that industrial growth and good relations with indus try are essential for dty growth and welfare, and that industry also be aware of this concern, and of its responsi bilities to the community in which it is allowed to prosper. (3) That budgets in sewage treatment and water produc tion-distribution departments be separated. Recommenda tion applies only to accounting procedures and not to ad ministration. This recom mendation was previously made Oct. 4, 1974 by Fox and Ritter, Inc., city engineers. It is recommended this separation begin in fiscal 1975- 76. (4) That the water rate (which now also includes sewer charges) be altered as per a graduating table de signed by the study commit tee. These charges essentially reduce the surcharge to large Downtown Business Making Comeback Under the future possibilities category; - Two separate regional food chain operations are in vestigating the possibilities of establishing business in the former Winn-Dixie location between Cherokee and Pied mont Sts. The building has approxi mately 10,000 square feet of floor space and the building roof has beai renovated since the W-D operation moved out in January 1974. Since then the building has been used as a textile storage warehouse. A group of downtown mer chants made contact with the food chain managements about the location. - Look for the downtown business district to make a strong comeback in retail competition. Parking appears to have been a deterent to business, but if the plans under con sideration by downtown mer chants are fruitful (and mer chants are convinced they will be) there will be ample free paved parking throughout the downtown business area. In the coming weeks Kings Mountians will see a concen trated effort by the downtown merchants, united under a single theme (to be an nounced), to woo customers “back to theheartof the city,” a spokesman said. tion director Roy Pearson re viewed their programs which were originally developed under such funds as this and spoke of their needs for the future. All of their needs were presented by other citizens later, as wdl as new ideas. In order of their presenta tion, the citizens’ ideas includ ed: Local librarian, Mrs. Hazel Fryar, requested funds to im prove Mauney Memorial Library, noting that the li brary needs to be expanded, needs film strips, records, parking, carpeting and a room for the highly successful stra-y hour program. “We cannot have a well- rounded city unless we think of the cultural side,” she noted. Tommy Bridges, local auto parts dealer, requested a share of the, pot for planning and constructing an airport. He noted that federal and state governments would pay all but 16 and two-thirds per cent of the planning costs and aU but 12 and one-half percent of the construction costs. Bridges said the city’s share for the planning would be only $6,000. (Please Turn To Page'SA) Council To Study Massage Parlor Act water users and create a new rate for water users in excess of one million gallons per month without increasing rates. The recommended table breaks from 50 percent to 20 percent surcharge at 40,000 gallons. The table includes a new rate of .32 cents per thousand gallons for all over one million gallons used in a single month. It is pointed out that these steps will reduce water in come by approximately 18 percent and committee makes no recommendations for replacing such lost revenue. It is possible this loss can be partially recouped when wa ter production increases as the city sells water in quantity to Cleveland County, Bessemer City, or even to other sources. The report notes that even if the 18 percent loss is not recovered, water has still been the highest percentage return utility (considering operating profit only). The new rates would mean reduced water profits, but there is no reason that water profit should be as high as it has been in thepast, the report states. It is also noted that items, such as additional employes in water and sewer departments, have not been affected and perhaps this reduction will not actually represent a loss in dollars to the city. (5) That the new rates be kept stable, at least until the new budget is adopted, and at that time be re-evaluated. If (Please Turn To Page 2A) The city commission will probably adopt an ordinance dealing with masseurs, mas sage parlors, health salcms and clubs at its Mar. 10 meet ing. City Attorney Jack White was instructed to proceed with legal advertisement creating such an ordinance at the spe cial Monday night meeting. Similar ordinances are be ing considered by area cities, said Mayor John Henry Moss. It would be the board’s duty to set the fees and to approve and revoke a license and to direct the Ch'*^'’ of Police to inspect the premises of any health spas, etc. and make recommendation to the city board. If the Chief recom mends a license be denied, within 10 days the applicant would be allowed an open hearing before the city com mission. “It’s a pretty tight ordi nance”, explained Attorney White who noted that among the provisions are that an applicant for a license not have been convicted of any crime, show proof of good, moral character and furnish a health certificate from a doc tor for himself and all his em ployees, all of whose names and health certificates must be approved by the Chief of Police. Hours of operation would be restricted from 8 a. m. until 10 p. m. and treatment of persons by members of the opposite sex and use of the facilities by persons under 18 years of age would be restricted without a written order and use of the facilities by persons under 18 years of age would be restrict ed without a written order directing euch treatment by a licensed physician. The ordinance would also govern operation of spas with in the city. “This ordinance would throw the duty on the Chief of Police to make strict inspec tions before and after any li censes would be granted”, said White. In other major business of the board. City Clerk Joe McDaniel was instructed to forward check for $1,739.75 to the N. C. Department of Na tural and Economic Re sources in payment of a fine taxed the city in connection with a fish kill on Buffalo Creek last September. “It hurts us all to pay fines”, said the Mayor, “and we r^ret this happened,” as he reviewed for the board a letter from Lewis R. Martin which detailed the incident. The Mayor said a city em ployee working below the dam of the John H. Moss Lake dropped a ladder which per mitted a flow of alum into Buf falo Creek. The fine included costs of the investigation and replacing the fish. “We all realize”, said the Mayor, “that the Department of Economic Resources is charged with the responsibUi- ty to protect our streams and wildlife of our state I’m sure we would want them to be as diligent in protecting our Wa ter supply also.” Comm. Jim Amos requested that the mayor aSk for a re bate of the fine, if at all possi ble, but later withdrew his recommendation. The vote to pay the fine was unanimous. The board also voted to let bids on a total of 18,770.1 feet City’s Tax Use Share $35,923.34 Based on per capita distri bution, Kings Mountain will receive $34,407.78 as its share of Cleveland County sales and use tax. In addition, according to the report for the quarter which ended Dec. 31, 1974, the city will receive an additional $1,156.16 from Gaston County for the 490 KM citizens resid ing in the Gaston secticai of the city. Grover’s share totals $2,181.58. Cleveland County $407,152.29 for distribution county-wide. of curb and gutter improve ments for the following streets: Mauney Ave. from York Rd. to Oriental; Hillside Dr. from SW End of Meadow- brook Rd.; Katherine St. from Fairview to Second; Scotland Dr. from South wood to Lee; Somerset Dr. from Phjfer Rd. to Princeton; and Southwood Dr. from Fulton to Pinehurst. Executing agreement with Southern Railway for municipal use of the depot building, the board voted to pay a $100 annual fee for “a broad latitude of uses'* oi the building and one and one-half acre of land on Piedmont avenue. The Railway would have the option to retain the properties on 30 days notice. City Attorney White said the lease agreement is “very gen eral”, also covering a fire pre vention provision. To question by Comm. Amos on question of loss of tax base. City Clerk McDaniel replied that the property is not as sessed on the Kings Mountain tax levy but by the state. The board received bids for a new loader-backhoe from six firms and voted to award ex tract at the Mar. 10 meeting. Bidders were Wooten Trac tor Equipment Co. of Newton, $26,314.23; Charlotte Ford Tractor Sales, $20,592.35; E. F. Oaven Co. of Greenslwro, $22,940; Case Power Co. of Charlotte, $24,422 ^ ; L.nfv, i.jtc Tractor Co. of Charlotte, $26,086.30; and Western Carolina Tractor Co. of Char lotte, $26,500. The Mayor announced at the close of file meeting that the board would convene for a personnel meeting in his office immediately after adjourn ment. $154,100 KMRC Closes Purchase Deal For Bonnie Mill The Kings Mountain Re development Commission concluded the purchase arrangements of the Bonnie Mill property Wednesday for a reported $154,100. KMRC Executive Director Gene White said the agency will advertise for bids for demolition of existing buildings on the property in the near future. Included in the purdiase, according to White, was raie warehouse located at the junc ture of Cherokee and W. Gold Sts. ($10150); the mill and a second warehouse ($113,650) and compensation for im movable fixtures, lights, wiring, etc., ($26,500), and the lot where Price Taxi is now located ($3,800). Redevelopment plans for the property, from Piedmont to Battleground on south side of Gold St., are already under way. Charles Diuin Speaks Sunday, March 9 Final Drys Meeting Set Tuesday Night Fourth meeting of Kings Mountain “Drys” will be held Tues., Mar. 4, at 7:30 p. m. at Boyce Memorial ARP Church. Dr. Charles Edwards, chairman, said the meeting date has been changed be cause of a conflict and en courages all interested citi zens to attend. Tuesday’s meeting will be the final gathering of “Drys” prior to the ABC referendum Mar. 18, in which 4,128 citizens are eligible to vote on the question of whether a liquor control store will be estab lished here and whether df- premises sale of malt bev erages and unfortified wine shall be allowed. Kings Mountain citizens will go to the polls for the third time in the city’s history on Mar. 18 to decide the questiai. Two times the ABC proposal was rejected at the polls. Meantime, both proponents and opponents were heading up the home stretch in a final push to get voters. Faith Baptist Church bought an advertisement in today’s Mirror-Herald replying via an “open letter” to an advertise ment paid for by “Wets” in last week’s Mirror-Herald. The six ward polling places are the same as in previous city elections and all six pre cincts will open at 6:30 a. m. Mar. 18 and close at 7:30 p. m. Charles Dunn, Director of the State Bureau of Investiga tion, will make the address Sun., Mar. 9, at 7 ;30 p. m. in a program o[)en to the public at Central Ujnited Methodist Church. He has served as SBI Direc tor on appx)intment by Attor ney General Robert Morgan since Jan. 3, 1969. Under his direction the SBI has greatly increased its size and effec tiveness and is today recog nized as one of the outstanding organizations of its typ)e in the nation. A graduate of Ahoskie High Schooland UNC at (3iapel Hill Dunn is a former newspaper reporter and served as an assistant to former Congress man Horace Kornegay and former Governor Dan Moore. He is a veteran, a Methodist, and is married and father of three children. Dunn is coordinator of the N. C. Law Enforcement As sociations Council, Vice- Chairman of the N. C. Or ganized Crime Study Commis sion; Vice-Chairman of theN. C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards CouncU, and a member of the Governor’s Committee on Law and Order. CHARLESDUNN

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