We Can Save You Money!!!
©CommunityFirstMedia
East Mountain Street 704.739.3611 106 Kings Mountain, NC 28086
www.KMinsure.com Volume 136 • Issue 11
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
City of KM hires City of Kings Mountain holds new Fire Chief Strategic Planning Session
Chief Greg W. Main is the new Fire Chief of the City of Kings Mountain. He recently retired from the Evansville Fire Department after serving for 38 years and held various ranks such as Lieutenant, Captain, Fire Inspector, District Chief, Chief of Operations, and Chief Fire Marshal. Chief Main has a Master of Science degree in Fire and Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University. He has also completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and the International Associations of Fire Chief’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute. Additionally, he has the honor of being designated as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center of Public Safety Excellence and is a member of The Institution of Fire Engineers as a MIFireE. Chief Main has been inspired by his two children, who have contributed to the
By Loretta Cozart
CHIEF GREG W. MAIN success of his career. His daughter, Jacqueline, is a social worker and has two children of her own, Grace and Hunter, residing in Evansville, IN. His son, Zachary, is a Paramedic Firefighter with the Lexington Kentucky Fire Department and has been serving for 11 years, currently assigned to Ladder #7. Chief Main is excited to serve and work for the people of the City of Kings Mountain.
The City of Kings Mountain’s city council and executive leadership team held their annual strategic planning session at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte on March 8 and 9. The public was invited to observe as Kings Mountain’s leadership team discussed topics impacting our community for the next decade and beyond. The overreaching theme for this year’s meeting was “Catalysts and Cornerstones – How to Embrace Rapid Change.” When City Manager James Palenick took the job one year ago, he predicted that change would come to Kings Mountain within five years. This year’s strategic planning session addressed those issues. The topics of conversation Friday included servant leadership, catalytic leader-
Member of City of Kings Mountain’s city council and executive leadership team listened to a presentation by City Manager Jim Palenick during its Strategic Planning Session. Photo by Loretta Cozart ship and cornerstones, staffing and analysis for future growth, budget and finance for future growth, and renewable natural gas. Resuming on Saturday, topics included municipal electric utility, signage restrictions, special and limited land uses, imagining a vastly expanded Gateway
Trail Loop, Moss Lake – an underutilized Gem, and the future of the KM Tourism Development Authority (KMTDA). The meeting concluded with an exercise in which the city council and staff were given limited budgets to accomplish various tasks. They could allocate all their
resources individually or partner with others to accomplish larger goals. The strategic planning session was recorded and will soon be available to the public. Check the city’s Facebook page for information on when the video will be released and how to view it.
KM Gateway Trail 5K and 10-mile runs to be held March 23 By Loretta Cozart
LITTLE ANNIE WAFFLES AND WILDFLOWERS FOOD TRUCK TEAM (L-R): Taylor Geissenger, Brooke Jeffries, Christy Conner, Kylie Tomberlin, Abby Walker and Debralee Tomberlin (not pictured). (Photos provided by Christy Conner)
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail announced its 5K and 10-mile runs for March 23 this year at 807 S. Battleground Ave. in Kings Mountain. Runners can sign up at www.runsignup.com. The runs are professionally managed on the day of the run, on Facebook, and at the website www.runsignup.com. Sponsors for the run receive a thank you letter
and complimentary runner forms to give to runners. Complimentary run shirts are given to the runners, and nice trophies are awarded to winners of all ages and run categories. Run Shirts have the sponsor names on the back, and a large banner is placed with sponsor names on the front of the trail building.
They are listed on the trail website each year. The trail opened in 2009 and began having annual 5K and l0-Mile runs for a fundraiser, exercise, and getting folks to Kings Mountain. Many local folks from a large area around Kings Mountain come to participate in a healthy event, giving runners something to look forward to and having lots of outdoor fun. See RUNS, Page 5A
Little Annie opens Lib Stewart’s fond memories this Sat., March 16 as ALA National President By Linda Quinlan
By Loretta Cozart Little Annie Gourmet Waffles and Wildflowers will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, March 16, from noon to 6 p.m. at Eva’s Garden Center, 736 Stony Point Road in Kings Mountain. As Christy Conner approached retirement, she dreamed of opening a food truck called Little Annie in honor of the founders of her family (her grandparents Annie and Aaron Conner), where the charm of Mawmaw Annie’s kitchen met Pawpaw’s favorite breakfast, waffles! As the former Director of Special Events for Kings Mountain, Christy retired
Little Annie Waffles and Wildflowers food truck will open this Saturday, March 16, noon to 6 p.m. early from her role in city government because she knew in her heart that another adventure awaited. The concept of Little Annie blossomed from a
dream to expand her family’s business, Eva’s Garden Center, at the intersection of Stony Point Road and Oak Grove Road and elevate the See LITTLE ANNIE, Page 4A
During a recent late winter afternoon, Linda Quinlan, the current North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary Historian, visited Elizabeth (“Lib”) Stewart, American Legion Auxiliary Past National President 1999-2000. Linda knew that Lib would soon commemorate the 25th anniversary of her August 1999 election as National President and thought it seemed like an opportune time for a visit since Linda lives in Shelby – just ten miles away from Lib’s hometown of Kings Mountain. Upon arriving at Lib’s country home, Linda and her husband, Jim, were warmly welcomed. They enjoyed a long visit reminiscing about Lib's many warm memories from her year as President.
Lib Stewart, right, reminisces with Linda Quinlan. Photo provided by Linda Quinlan Curious about the happenings Lib experienced during her tenure and how things may have changed during the past 25 years, Linda peppered her with many questions. An energetic woman in her 60s when she was elected National President, Lib’s mind, is still sharp as a tack 25 years
later. She has attended every National Convention since 1975 but has missed the last four due to health issues. First joining the American Legion Auxiliary in 1969 through the eligibility of two brothers in the Navy and USAF, she immediately See LIB, Page 5A
For Dental Implants Locally Here In Kings Mountain
Baker Dental Care Preventative, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
703 East King Street, Suite 9 Kings Mountain, NC www.BakerDentalCare.com
Just a few benefits of Dental Implants: • Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. • Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that your dentures might slip. • Improved self-esteem. Smile again and feel better about yourself. • Durable. Implants are very durable and with proper care, can last a lifetime.
To find out more about Dental Implants and schedule your next appointment
call us at 704-739-4461