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Volume 130 • Issue 4
kmherald.com • 704-739-7496
January 24, 2018
75¢
Kerri Melton promoted
Brian Epley is new county manager
WILLIAM P. DAVIS
Brian Epley, the county’s current finance director and deputy county manager, was unanimously voted the new permanent county manager at the recent meeting of Cleveland County commissioners last Tuesday. In his first action as county manager, Epley promoted Kerri Melton, also a longtime county employee, as assistant county manager. Both Epley and Melton are Cleveland County residents. Board Chairman Eddie Holbrook said the transition is the final step in a
BRIAN EPLEY
KERRI MELTON
multi-faceted evaluation process that began with Jeff Richardson’s resignation in October. Since October, former commissioner and former three-time chairman of the board, Jason Falls
stepped down as commissioner to serve as interim manager. Falls was appointed by the board with the intent to provide proper time for their evaluation process of Epley and allow
other key staff opportunities to be considered. Melton’s promotion follows a recommendation culminating from a year long professional pay and classification study. Epley will be the seventh county manager to serve the citizens of Cleveland County. “I’m excited about the opportunity and look forward to a smooth transition,’’ he said, adding, “The board’s commitment to the growth and enhancement of Cleveland County makes this an exciting time to be
a part of Cleveland County government and I’m honored commissioners have given me the opportunity to serve in this role. My experience as finance director and deputy county manager have allowed me to work alongside a dedicated team of professionals. This is truly a great organization, with exceptional employees at every level. I feel confident that there will be a smooth transition. My goal is to help the organization continue to do its best work for the citizens of our See EPLEY, Page 7A
State award Neisler Special Olympics Cleveland County given to heads set for March 24 at Patriots Park fireman MPO William P. Davis, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department fireman and former chief for 17 years, was honored with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award given by the governor of the state to a civilian Saturday night at the LeGrand Center. Davis is a charter member of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department chartered in 1968. He has seen the department grow in membership and in a fine building remodeled on Oak Grove Road. He has also seen his son, Perry, follow in his footsteps and become Chief of the Department. Perry Davis is also county fire marshal and Cleveland County Emergency Management Director. County Commissioners Doug Bridges and Susan Allen made the surprise presentation on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper. Oak Grove firemen celebrated the 50th year of their organization Saturday night and took the occasion to honor all firemen and to remember the late Ray Blair, who served as Assistant Chief during the William P. Davis tenure. William P. Davis and Diane White were married 52 years ago and raised two sons, Perry and David Davis. The family also includes their daughters-inlaw and six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. William and Diane Davis are active members of Eastside Baptist Church in Shelby. See family photo on page 2B
2025 is expected date of n e w Shelby Bypass Mayor S c o t t Neisler, NEISLER the newly-elected chairman of the Gaston-Cleveland-Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization said that the new Shelby Bypass has been fully funded by the NC Department of Transportation and is expected to be completed in 2025. Neisler, who will preside at the MPO meeting Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Gastonia Police Department conference room, said that staff of DOT and Division 12 will give an update on the project during the business portion of the meeting. He said that road projects and priorities are items discussed by the group at their regular meetings.
Main Street Fact-finding meeting held Friday Businesses in the Municipal Service District of the City of Kings Mountain were invited to an informational work session at City Hall on Friday, January 19, from 8:30 until 10 a.m. Sherry B. Adams, Coordinator of the Downtown Programming & Technical Assistance for the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center hosted the work session. She and Eric Greenway, Planning Director for the City of Kings Mountain, facilitated the meeting and received feedback from See MEETING, Page 7A
Special Olympics Cleveland County will host the inaugural community wide Special Olympics Cleveland County Color Run on March 24 at 7:30 a.m. at Patriots Park in downtown Kings Mountain. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Special Olympics Cleveland County basketball team as they prepare to compete at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will feature 4,000 athletes and coaches representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia competing in 14 Olympic-type sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will cele-
Pictured are members of the Cleveland County Special Olympics team who will compete in the USA games in Seattle, Washington. Plans are underway for a preliminary event here in March, a benefit for the team at Patriots Park. brate the Special Olympics movement by promoting the ideals of acceptance and
inclusion through sport and by showcasing the abilities of people with intellectual
disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight See OLYMPICS, Page 7A
City official: No issues from 3 plus inches of snow in KM T h e 3- plus inches of snow that blanketed the Kings Mountain area last WednesNICK HENDRICKS day caused no issues with power outages in either the electric and natural gas departments in the City of Kings Mountain. “We were very glad it was snow and not freezing rain,’’ said Energy Director and Assistant City Manager Nick Hendricks. Hendricks updated city commissioners at a work session Friday morning at the Public Works Department conference room. He gave an update of the progression of the NTE site off Dixon School Road and said the plant is ahead of schedule, noting that natural gas prices continue to remain steady over the last three years and future pric-
Snow blanketed the Kings Mountain area Wednesday with up to 3-4 inches reported in some areas. City officials reported no power outages and residents stayed at home and kids enjoyed another two days off to play in the snow. Photo by Mark Blanton ing remains very favorable. Hendricks said that interconnection with both Duke Energy and Williams Pipeline are complete and all city services, electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and fiber have been completed and are in service at the site. Hendricks said that as leg-
islation by the US Congress was passed (Federal Tax Reform) lowering the corporate tax from 35% to 21%, this affected the city through its energy wholesale cost. Savings will be shared to customers and the process has been solidified with Duke Energy and remains in discussion
with Williams Pipeline. In other updates: • The city’s peak generation assets have been an active part of the Energy Department since 1997. Through these assets the city has saved millions that electric customers have seen. See SNOW, Page 7A
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