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Volume 135 • Issue 27
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
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Unified Development Ordinance approved and other business by City Council By Loretta Cozart After months of work involving city staff and consultants, Kings Mountain’s new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) has been approved. The new zoning ordinance replaces former zoning used by the city. All cities within the state had to develop and implement a new UDO that had to be implemented July 1. The motion to adopt was made by Councilman Allen and the vote was unanimous. Architect Can Fleiger spoke against approval of the UDO saying he was doing so reluctantly. “I favor UDO’s that support neighborhoods and encourage neighborhoods to grow.” His concerns were regarding the term ‘detached residential’ and how that might impact single family housing in Kings Mountain. Prior to the vote on the UDO, Mayor Neisler said, “I want to thank the folks in our Planning and Development team and consultant Kelly McCormick. You guys
have really been working tirelessly, specifically Kimberly, and I think we’ve got a really great plan going forward. Now, is it going to be perfect? If you think this is going to be perfect, you are going to be terribly wrong and terribly disappointed, because it is going to need to be tweaked. The comprehensive plan will follow this, and we’ll be working on that until the end of the year.” In councilman’s remarks, Councilman Keith Miller made a public apology saying, “Thursday night we had a UDO meeting, and we had some passionate conversations. In the course of that passion, I think I was discourteous to Councilman Allen, Ron Humphries, and our consultant Kelly. I apologize for my intemperance, and I apologize to this body.” City Manager Marilyn Sellers reported on various projects in town: • The Meadowbrook waterline project should be complete with paving this week. See COUNCIL, Page 8A
Catawba Nation Chief Bill Harris cuts the ribbon to open Catawba Two Kings Casino as tribal leaders and dignitaries look on. See more photos of the event on page 4A and 5A. Photo by Catawba Nation
Catawba Nation and government leaders celebrate opening of Catawba Two Kings Casino The Catawba Two Kings Casino pre-launch facility in Kings Mountain opened to the public at noon on July 1, after Catawba Nation Chief Bill Harris cut a ceremonial ribbon with tribal, local, and state government leaders. The 500-slot temporary facility was built in only four months using prefabricated modular structures on part of a 17-acre site just off Interstate 85, about 35 miles west
of Charlotte. The facility, which will be open 24 hours daily, is providing an initial opportunity for patrons in the Charlotte region and beyond to game with limited food and beverage services and other guest amenities. For the Catawba Nation, July 1 opening represented the culmination of three decades seeking to finally benefit from the federal service area of six North Carolina
counties, including Cleveland County, that it was assigned by Congress in 1993 to recognize the tribe’s aboriginal and historical ties to the state. “Catawba Two Kings Casino represents the righting of a historical wrong for the Catawba Nation,” Chief Harris said. “But it is also so much more. It represents a prosperous future and renewed kinship between the Catawba Nation and the many com-
munities that now occupy Catawba ancestral lands, including Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, and the State of North Carolina. “For many of us, it represents a bright future – a future with more jobs and educational opportunities. We are thankful for the relationships that have been created in each community, for our partnerships with Delaware See CASINO, Page 4A
Fabulous Fable Forest at Patriots Park July 14 Mark your calendar now for this fun family-friendly event. Members from the audience perform alongside two actors (equipped with a gigantic trunk full of puppets, costumes, and props) to bring classic fables like "Tortoise and the Hare", "Lion and the Mouse", and "The Boy who Cried Wolf" to life! This program will take place at Patriots Park Amphitheatre on July 14 at 10 am. This interactive production is sure to be a hit and
leave your audience laughing for weeks. The show is full of silly comedy, interactive games, and engaging storytelling. The audience will be on the edge of their seats, laughing the whole way. You've never seen these fables presented like this before. For questions, or to join our Friends of the Library, email info@mauneylibrary. org or call the library at (704) 739-2371. The Friends of the Mauney Memorial Library thank the community for its
Wells Fargo’s KM branch closing July 14
The Printin’ Press purchased by Westmoreland Printers
By Loretta Cozart Wells Fargo Bank at 125 S. Battleground Avenue will close its Kings Mountain branch on Wednesday, July 14, according to Mike Hughes, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo State and Local Government Relations, due to more transactions being handled digitally. Wells Fargo’s ATM will remain open at 1027 Shelby Rd, in the parking lot of Walmart Neighborhood Market.
The Printin’ Press, Inc. and Robert Bolin are pleased to announce the sale of the company to Westmoreland Printers, Inc, effective July 1, 2021. Wes Westmoreland said of the acquisition, “I was born in Kings Mountain, my grandfather, Jim Hambright, graduated from Kings Mountain High School. I am most pleased to have a footprint in the city.” He continued, “Kings Mountain is a growing and vital city in the county, and we fully intend to maintain a presence in town
continued support. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Mauney Memorial Library is located at 100 S.
to continue to serve individuals and businesses in the area.” “I never really considered selling the business to anyone other than Westmoreland,” Bolin stated. “They have a well-established reputation for quality and customer service. My primary goal was to ensure that the customers the Printin’ Press has served for over 40 years would be well served in the future.” Though his father was a local veterinarian, Westmoreland followed the family legacy of printing, the fifth
Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC. For the latest in library news and events, visit www. mauneylibrary.org.
generation of the family to do so since JF Westmoreland opened a printing company in Thomasville, NC in 1887. Westmoreland Printers was founded in 1999, and is headquartered on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby. Westmoreland Printers is the most awarded printing company in the region, having received well over 100 gold, silver, and bronze awards from the Printing Industries of the Carolinas and the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen See PRINTIN’ PRESS, Page 5A
Kings Mountain Police Chief Lisa Proctor with Sgt. Keith Davis and Mayor Scott Neisler. Photo by Karen Tucker
Sgt. Keith Davis retires June 30 By Loretta Cozart During the June 29 City Council meeting, Sergeant Keith Davis was awarded his service weapon and badge by Mayor Scott Neisler in anticipation of his retirement on Wednesday, June 30. Sgt. Davis began his employment with the Kings Mountain Police Department on June 7, 2000, as a Patrol Officer. On June 25, 2001, Sergeant Davis transferred to the COPS Division. On July 22, 2002, Sergeant Davis moved to the Patrol Division and on September 26, 2008, he was promoted to Corporal. He remained in the Patrol Division until January 24, 2020,
at which point he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Lake Patrol and has remained in this position since that date, performing a very dedicated and dutiful service. “As Sergeant, Davis was a dedicated public servant having conducted himself in a professional manner, earning the respect of those with whom he served, and those he was entrusted to serve, contributing to the betterment of his department and the community as a whole,” said KM Police Chief Lisa Proctor. It is customary to present an officer with 20 years or more of service with their service weapon and badge worn and/or carried by him.
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