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www.KMinsure.com Volume 135 • Issue 10
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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City Manager announces departmental reorganization By Loretta Cozart City of Kings Mountain held its Executive Leadership Strategic Planning Session at US Whitewater Center’s Conference Room B in Charlotte on Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4. Also in attendance were all members of city council. Two months after taking his role as city manager, Jim Palenick shared his vision for city government that prioritizes organizational culture and structure, adopts a policy-based model, and embraces financial transparency. Palenick’s vision also encourages staff to work smarter when they consider projects, debate policy, allocate scarce resources, that requires them to act as representatives of all constituencies, based upon the greater common good,
not that which is easy or politically expedient. “During the transformation process,” Palenick said, “communication is important and the only way to change is leadership by example.” He continued, “Embracing change is never a criticism of the past – it is an acknowledgement of changed circumstances.” Prior to Friday, Kings Mountain had 15 directors answering directly to the city manager who met weekly. “We must adopt a leaner, more focused organizational structure,” Palenick said. As of Monday, March 6, eight directors will report directly to the city manager, and departments will be grouped vertically according to similar function. Executive staff in those departments will now report to their respective de-
City of Kings Mountain held its Executive Leadership Strategic Planning Session 2023. (Photo provided) partment director. Department titles have also been changed. For example, Aging Department will now be called Senior Services
and each department is made up of similar city services. “Department titles should accurately reflect what we do and the fact that we are
all here to serve our community,” Palenick said. Directors who no longer report to the city manager will not see a decrease
in pay; however, their titles may change, who they report to may change, and performance evaluations will more See REORGANIZATION, Page 5A
KMHS Musical: Mamma Mia March 10-12 The KMHS Musical: Mamma Mia! will be performed on March 10-12, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Saturday & Sunday at
2pm in the Barnes Auditorium. Tickets are $10. This musical is fun, colorful, and energetic. “We are excited to showcase our
department,” said Heather Achter, the director of theatre at KMHS. She is proud of how much the students lead in each area of theatre
KM Woman's Club recognizes two diligent members Two GFWC NC Kings Mountain’s Clubwomen, Betty Sue Morris and Valerie Boyd were honored by the club. The organization works locally and nationally to bring about positive change with an unwavering dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. Valerie Boyd, a retired educator, was selected as Kings Mountain Woman's Club Woman of the Year. Valerie gives of her time, talents, interest organization efforts and active participates to render outstanding service through the KM Club, She is a hard worker that strives to meet the goals and purposes of the organization, She was invited to join the club through member Ann Bennett. Valerie has and continues to use her talents in working with the program committees,
BETTY SUE MORRIS
VALERIE BOYD
serving as an officer, and supporting the activities of the club. Through the years she has seen the Club grow, and continues to grow, and be a service to the community under the leadership of President Denise Cobb, Her passion for service to others and to involvement carries over into her community where she is an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, serving as a ministry leader, a member of the Davidson Association and the formed Davidson Resource Center Board, Incorporated, where
she has served in many of the leadership roles and is currently the chair of committee, and serves on the Education Committee of the Cleveland County Arts Council. Valerie is a 39-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a service organization. , Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, serving on the NC -State membership committee, Order of Eastern Star - Adah Chapter #7 and a board member of the Mauney See CLUB, Page 5A
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at KMHS: acting, choreography, stage management, scenic design, props, costumes, publicity, hair and makeup, and sound. This show is competing in the Blumey Awards: a Charlotte Region Musical Theatre Competition where KMHS has had success in previous years. We hope you fill the seats in Barnes Auditorium and celebrate the hard work and fun! If you have any questions, please email Heather Achter at hlachter@clevelandcountyschools.org
Kings Mountain restaurateur and businesswoman Iris Hubbard, owner of 133 West in Kings Mountain, won the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award during Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce’s Black and White Party on Friday, March 3 at the LeGrand Center in Shelby. Congratulations, Iris!
“It's All About the Music" portraits by Bonita Lowe at Southern Arts Society Bonita Lowe has always been drawn to art. As a young child she watched her father draw and paint, and he inspired her artistic curiosity. Mostly self-taught, she has pursued studies in life-drawing, design and painting which expanded her knowledge greatly. Another person who influenced Bonita was AB Mauney Snow, the founder of Southern Arts Society. AB wanted to retire from working as a colorist in the textile industry at Dicey Mills and saw the potential in Bonita’s work. Bonita then took over for AB at Dicey and worked there for 20 years before retiring herself. Now Bonita lives in Mount Holly where she works in her home studio. Her primary medium is graphite pencil, which she uses to create detailed, highly realistic See MUSIC, Page 7A
ELVIS PRESSLEY by Bonita Lowe
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