KM Herald 9-15-21

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HORD’S CONTAINER SERVICE (704) 466-6008 Volume 135 • Issue 37

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

kmherald.com • 704-484-1047

75¢

The scene at Kings Mountain Fire Station Number 1. (Photo by Loretta Cozart)

KM remembers Patriot Day, 9/11 Signage on the old Imperial Theater announce new plans for the building that include mercantile and studios and lofts upstairs. See more photos on page 3A. (Photo by Loretta Cozart)

Signs of change around town By Loretta Cozart Last weekend, a drive around Kings Mountain showed signs of changes coming to the community. McGill’s Esso/Exxon Station: For a year, citizens have eagerly awaited the reclamation of McGill’s Esso/Exxon Station at the corner of Piedmont and King Street. After years of disuse, the property had fallen into disrepair and had begun to deteriorate. Kiamesha Young bought the property, anticipating putting her real estate office there when work was done. After a slow start, progress is moving along, and the crumbling corner of the

building has been repaired. White paint has made a big difference and daily work on the project has made good progress toward completion. The Imperial Mercantile and Lofts: For years, Friendly Pool Hall occupied what had once been the Imperial Theater. A year or so ago, David Stone purchased the building and began plans for shops downstairs and lofts above. The recent addition of signage announces the Imperial Mercantile coming soon. A separate sign announces seven studios and one loft. The signage harkens back to the period in See SIGNS, Page 3A

On Saturday, September 11 at 10 a.m., Kings Mountain gathered at KM Fire Department Number 1 to remember all those who died during the attacks on America in 2001, along with those who have died since during wartime and from health conditions acquired because of the rescue efforts. Representatives from the American Legion Riders attended to represent America’s military and all veterans who have served throughout the last two decades.

Fire Chief Thomas (Tommy) Harmon welcomed those in attendance and reviewed the events of that morning 20-years ago. The Invocation was delivered by Fire Chaplain James Wasemen. KM Police Chief Lisa Proctor lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance as all stood and faced the flag. Opening remarks were given by Mayor Scott Neisler who noted that many in attendance were not alive during that event, especially members of Kings Review

and even some of the firemen. Sarah Fulton and Kings Review from Kings Mountain High School sang two beautiful songs before the keynote speaker shared his story. The keynote speaker Jim Rochford and his wife moved to Kings Mountain after the couple retired and brought their family here. Both he and his wife served that day and Jim shared some of their story. “The children, they don’t really know a lot. Those are things

my wife and I don’t want to talk about. I was one of the lucky ones, I didn’t get sick. But even the guys who did get sick said, ‘Knowing what I know, I’d go back if it happened again today.’ That tells you what kind of people these first responders were. We moved here from Long Island, because during 9/11, if you were on the island, you were stuck. They closed the bridges and people couldn’t leave. I didn’t want that for my family. We came here to visit, and See 9/11, Page 5A

The City of Kings Mountain honored the military and first responders on Saturday, September 11 during the LIVE at Patriots Park Concert Series featuring On The Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute and the CAT 5 Band. The crowd enjoyed dancing and music. See more photos inside on page 4A and 5A. Photo by SuggsFam Photography

More public hearings scheduled for September

City Council approves President Biden’s path out rezoning and annexations of the Pandemic Action Plan By Loretta Cozart Kings Mountain City Council met on Tuesday, August 31 at 6 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. Council members approved the following items brought before them in the consent agenda: Adopted a Resolution amending the Downtown Development Incentives Grant Policy as follows: • Increase the maximum amount for the sign grant for

the City of Kings Mountain downtown grant from $750 to $1,000. • Increase the maximum amount for the Customer Inducement grant for the City of Kings Mountain from $1,000 to $1,500. Add language to include a requirement for proof of commercial property insurance which verifies coverage of the property for full replacement value for properties that are considered for grants. (This was approved at the June 29, 2021, Regular Meeting to be included on the grant applications. This action would

add the same language to the policy.) Two Public Hearings were scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to consider: • An application from Century Communities Southeast LLC (Owner KM Acquisition Q02B1, LLC) to rezone property identified as 198 Dixon School Road, being further identified as Parcel No. 11683, Tax Map 4-42, Block 1, Lot 20, and consisting of 12.863 acres from Suburban Residential (SR) (formerly R-10 Residential) See COUNCIL, Page 8A

By Loretta Cozart

President Biden signed two executive orders on Friday, with sweeping rules to PRESIDENT BIDEN requiring federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. One might infer from their titles, “Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors” and “Executive Order on Re-

quiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees,” that these executive orders only apply to federal employees, but that isn’t the case. These new executive orders also impact many citizens who do not work in federal agencies. The orders require that private employers with 100 or more workers will have to require them to be vaccinated or tested weekly. Employers must provide paid time off for vaccination. In addition, about 17 million health care workers in hospitals, clinics and other facilities that accept

Medicare and Medicaid payments must get vaccinated. Some 300,000 employees of Head Start early childhood education and other federal education programs must get vaccinated. President Biden said, “The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force), established by Executive Order 13991 of January 20, 2021 (Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing), has issued important guidance to protect the Federal workforce and individuals interacting with the Federal See BIDEN, Page 8A

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