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Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Volume 128 • Issue 42
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Candidate forum Monday
Commissioner candidates speak out ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
Kaitlyn Moss was crowned as the 2016 KMHS Homecoming Queen Friday night. Photo by GARY SMART
Kaitlyn Moss crowned Homecoming Queen Kaitlyn Moss, Kings Mountain High School senior, was crowned Homecoming Queen Friday at half-time of the Kings Mountain Mountaineers-RS Central football game at Gamble Stadium. Moss was nominated by the Beta Club. She was crowned by last year's queen Gwen Hopper. Members of the Homecoming Court participated in the festivities and families of the queen and court
were present to witness the crowning event. Daughter of Reggie Moss and Paula Harmon, Kaitlyn is a member of the French club, Interact club, Beta club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Honor Society. She is a career Renaissance Gold Card holder and Secretary of the Mounties Make a Wish club. Kaitlyn runs cross country and made State her See MOSS, Page 8A
Early voting next Thursday Early voting will start in Kings Mountain next Thursday, Oct. 27, at Mount Zion Baptist Church and continue through Saturday, Nov. 5. A photo ID is not required to vote in person. You can pull up your sample ballot at elections. cleveland-county.com and sample ballots are available at the Board of Elections office in Shelby. The schedule for the Kings Mountain site: Thursday, Oct. 27, 8
a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
How you can help hurricane victims W&B Trucking across from Ingles on Shelby Road is collecting items for the NC Flood region and a truck with supplies will take donations to Lumberton next week. Thousands were displaced by damage and flooding up the East Coast from Hurricane Matthew. Donations will be ac-
cepted through at least Oct. 21. Donations can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2072 Shelby Road. W&B Trucking officials say if more donations are given after this weekend that a second truck will be utilized to take needed supplies. People items needed: school supplies, blankets, pillows sheets/pillow cases, toothbrushes, toothpaste, See VICTIMS, Page 7A
The five candidates for three seats on the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners Nov. 8 were unanimous that they would not favor a property tax raise ever and would seek other sources for funds such as the referendum on the ballot for a sales tax increase. Ronnie Hawkins, Johnny Hutchins and Susan Allen, all incumbents, and Mary Accor and Willie McIntosh, challengers and former commissioners, said a one-quarter percent local sales and use tax is fair. All candidates agreed that public safety is a must and that the sales tax helps provide money to help run those agencies, including fire departments. Incumbent commissioners, all Republicans, said at a Tuesday night forum sponsored by Cleveland Com-
ACCOR
ALLEN
munity College, Cleveland County Chamber and Shelby Star that they are running on their record. Challengers Mary Accor and Willie McIntosh, both Democrats, also spoke on their past experience on the board. “Everyone who has a home knows that you want the best for your family. I consider everyone in Cleveland County my family,'' said Accor. “I like people and I like listening to them and know their needs. I want to be on the board again to keep the tax rates low and make life better for those I serve.”
HAWKINS
HUTCHINS
McIntosh said he wants to bring balance to the county and sees the need for more transparency and need for a sports facility in upper Cleveland county and auditoriums for two county high schools. No commissioner candidate spoke negatively, responding to question by moderator Dr. Steve Thornburg to “what have been the biggest disappointments and biggest successes of the current board of commissioners?” To a man Incumbent commissioners cited team work which has resulted in many successes and a better quality of life for residents.
McINTOSH
Accor suggested more public hearings and commissioner meetings scheduled in various areas of the county for more public input. Candidates were excited about their vision for the county. McIntosh said he wants to see people working and in affordable housing.”Success breeds success and if we work outside the box and think outside the box we help each other.” Hawkins says his vision for the county is a great quality of life for every citizen and more jobs. See CANDIDATES, Page 7A
Senate candidates didn’t agree on much ELIZABETH STEWART lib.kmherald@gmail.com
T h e two candidates for N. C. Senate District 46, which includes Cleveland County, DANIEL didn't agree on much at the political forum conducted Tuesday night at Cleveland Community College. FISCHER But incumbent Senator Warren Daniel, Republican, and challenger Ann Fischer did state they were unopposed to photo ID but Fischer said “a lot of voters don't have ID and if the state will pay for an ID that's fine. My only issue is that the legislation was written for voting, when we know people need an ID for other reasons, such as cashing a check. The voter fraud issue has more to do with machines and ballot access. '' Daniel said he has always been a supporter because voter ID protects the integrity of the election system and it makes sure everybody's vote is only counted once. Daniel called it a tragedy that the Fourth District court of Appeals struck down that law. ''If I am reelected we can
work to restore some of the protections voter ID offers,'' he said. Both Daniel and Fischer had opposing viewpoints on the controversial House Bill 2. Fischer said she was opposed to the bill because it was rushed through in less than 24 hours with no discussion, no debate, and not enough thought. How are you going to enforce it, she asked. I support repeal. I think it represents over reach by the state.” Daniel said the media has spent the last six months misrepresenting HB2 and the motives behind it. He said legislators began working on the bill in the summer of 2015 behind the scenes with a committee of people drafting the language. He said it wasn't until 2016 when Charlotte passed the ordinance that it became necessary to bring it out and have a special session to vote on it. Daniel said that HB2 corrected an unprecedented intrusion into private business. It became necessary, he said, only after Charlotte ap-
proved a radical ordinance to protect a sexual orientation, gender identification, and gender expression as legally protected classes in their city code. Charlotte exceeded constitutional authority and demonstrated the potential consequences when local governments overreach and exceed their powers. To the question should the local board of education be able to set its own calendar and determine the starting date for school each year? If you say, yes, will you support legislation? “I'm open to change and would support flexibility,'' said Fischer. Daniel said there were at least two sides, mentioning the vacation industry and 115 school systems, He said he would support a reasonable flexibility but would not limit all restrictions. Daniel said he had home schooled his children before he entered politics and sent them through the community college system. To another question, “Politics in North “Carolina seems extremely partisan.
What can you do to encourage more cooperation and bring both sides together for the greater good of the State”, candidates had 60 seconds to answer. ''I'm not a really partisan person,'' said Fischer. This is a misnomer.” Daniel said that Democrats and Republicans work together in Raleigh 85% of the time with 15% divided on more divisive issues. I am willing to walk across the aisle.” Fitcher said she disagrees with her opponents' position on building codes, ''he voted to eliminate mandatory building inspections for residential property.'' She wants to reinstate them “to assure homes are safe.” Daniel said that fire chiefs have the tools to enforce building codes. Responding to question about the state's current economic development efforts and what incentives should the state offer new business and industry prospects, Daniel said the state is moving in the right direction on See SENATE, Page 7A
Fall Festival is today The Kings Mountain Woman's Club Fall Festival opens today (Wednesday) at 11:30 a.m. at the Woman's Club on East Mountain Street. Turkey and ham with
all the trimmings will be served for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and dinner will served from 5:30-7 p.m. Adults tickets for a meal are $10 and children tickets 12 and
under $6. Homecooked meals, displays, country store and fellowship feature the event and proceeds benefit club projects, including scholarships.
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