I am very pleased to welcome H. M. "Chuck" Place, III as our new Town Manager. Chuck brings many years of management experience; working with town and county governments and other agencies, and with the public. His background includes managing departments with the number of personnel and budgets the size of our Town. For the past year, he has been the Town's Zoning Administrator.

Chuck's knowledge of the community and his ability to interact with citizens, employees and town officials and his dedication to the duties of any position he assumes makes him an overwhelming choice in my mind. The many favorable comments I have heard indicates that most of you agree.

There are many challenges ahead but we have a dedicated team of employees, board and committee members and elected officials that are up to the task. Chuck Place adds another dimension to this dedicated team.

Over the past year as your Zoning Administrator, I have concluded that I was correct in my first impressions of the area, the people, the employees and the elected and appointed officials. This is a wonderful place to be and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Lake Lure and the support I have received from all. I have truly enjoyed my time here, first as Zoning Administrator and then as Director of Planning and Zoning Administration. I hope that I have made a positive contribution to the town and its citizens. Now I would like to expand on that contribution as your Town Manager.

My personal and professional philosophy is that the primary purpose of government is to serve the public. This will be my directive to all town employees; provide the best service to citizens consistent with town regulations, policies and budgetary constraints.

We are in the process of searching for a new Zoning Administrator. In the meantime, I will continue carrying out the duties of Town Manager and Director of Planning and Zoning Administration. To that end, I plan to spend each morning attending to the duties of Town Manager and will attempt to schedule meetings and appointments accordingly. The afternoons will be devoted to zoning and planning matters, including inspections as needed. It is obvious that this cannot be a hard and fast rule, but it will be a goal.

REGULAR MEETING: The regular Town Council meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 1999.

Under the "Consent Agenda", Council approved the minutes of December 22, 1998 (Closed Session Meeting), January 4, 1999 (Closed Session Meeting, January 12, 1999 (Regular Meeting/Closed Session Meeting), January 19, 1999 (Special Town Meeting/Closed Session Meeting), and January 28, 1999 (Special Closed Session Meeting); and approved a request from the Dixie Rodder's Car Club to hold an annual car show on June 11-12, 1999.

In other activities, the Town Council:

* Held a public hearing regarding amending the zoning regulations (AM-98-5) creating new commercial and government districts;

* Held a hearing on an appeal from the decision of the Lake Structures Appeals Board (Appeal LSA-8, Capt. Ed Dittmer);

* Held a hearing on an appeal from the decision of the Lake Structures Appeals Board (Appeal LSA-9, Dr. Steve Stewart);

* Heard a report regarding additional street lighting for the Town Center area;

* Heard a presentation, from Mr. Felton E. Johnson, P.E., NCDENR regarding the Town's Wastewater Treatment System evaluation through Municipal Compliance Initiatives (MCI) program;

* Approved a request from the Police Chief to add an additional position for a clerical

position and to fill a police department vacancy for a patrolman;

* Tabled a request from the Fairfield Property Owners Association for the purpose of considering approval of a marina designation for an existing cluster mooring facility;

* Heard a report from Lake Advisory Chairman Bob Washburn regarding a lake management plan outline; and

* Held a closed session meeting to evaluate candidates interviewed for the Town Manager position and legal matters.

TOWN WORKSHOP MEETING: The Town Council held a workshop meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 9:30 a.m.

Activities included:

* Approved a request from Bill Curds for a sewer connection in Chimney Rock;

* Heard a request from Paul Nealon, President of the Property Owners Association for approval of a marina designation for an existing cluster mooring facility;

* Revised Town Meeting Schedule regarding workshop meetings;

* Heard a report from Andrew Givens, Cardinal Energy Service, Inc. regarding negotiation of new power sales contract; and

* Recessed Town Workshop Meeting until March 16, 1999, 9:00 a.m., at Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Your police department is continuously developing a philosophy and organizational strategy of community policing implementation. This will allow the police and community residents to work increasingly together in developing new ways to solve the problems of crime, feat of crime, physical and social disorder, and neighborhood decay. The philosophy rests in the belief that law abiding people in the community deserve input into the police process, in exchange for this participation and support.

To facilitate this philosophy and organizational structure, officers will be individually assigned to one of five zones encompassing the town of Lake Lure:

Zone #1

Sgt. Rick Tullis: All areas north of Lake Lure Village Resort, including all Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort property, Fairfield Mountains Resort, and all property on Buffalo Creek Road.

Zone #2

Ptl. Phillip Conner: Buffalo Shoals Road north to Buffalo Creek Road.

Zone #3

Cpl. Mike Souther: Snug Harbor Circle to Island Creek Road.

Zone #4

Ptl. Chris Justus: Chimney Rock Park east to snug Harbor Circle.

Zone #5

Ptl. Matt Hooper: Boys Camp Road and all roads adjacent, including Lake Lure Village Resort.

Hopefully this new philosophy and organizational strategy will provide decentralized, personalized police service to the community with flexibility to meet local needs and priorities as they change over time. These officers will soon be contacting you, in person, to gain your input in an attempt to make Lake Lure a safer and even more attractive place to live.

Crime Reports: Recently we have initiated several investigations of larcenies from construction sites. Please assist us by recording all serial numbers including model/make; inscribing your

driver's license number on all items; and photograph them. If suspicious persons and/or vehicles are observed at these sites, please notify us so our officers may check them.

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Lake Lure Town Council in the Council meeting room at the Lake Lure Municipal Center on the 9th day of March, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter, for the purpose of considering approval of an amendment to § 94. 14 of the lake structures regulations to add:

(F) There shall be not more than four marinas allowed on the lake; one near the head of the lake, one near the dam, one in Buffalo Bay, and one in Tryon Bay.

The public is invited to be present for this meeting. Details of the request are on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator for inspection by all interested citizens.

Request for Lake Structure Permit for Marina

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Lake Lure Town Council in the Council meeting room at the Lake Lure Municipal Center on the 9th day of March, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter for the purpose of considering approval of a "marina" designation for the existing "cluster mooring facility." Under the lake structures regulations, the Zoning Administrator shall determine that all requirements of the code relating to marinas are met. Council then must approve or deny permits for marinas based on the report of the administrator and determination that the location will not be adverse to navigation and boating safety or any nearby residential area.

The public is invited to be present for this meeting. Details of the request are on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator for inspection by all interested citizens.

The Town Potluck Dinner will be held Thursday, March 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center. Don't forget to invite a friend and/or neighbor. Bring a dish to share.

Fairfield Mountains Women of the Church will have a Fundraiser Fashion Show and Luncheon at Lakeview Restaurant, April 19, 11:30 a.m. (Social Hour includes piano music, finger foods and beverages). Betty Sturgis of Tryon will present an informal modeling during lunch. The cost is $15.00 per person and all proceeds will go to the WOC charities in our county. Call Binney Miller at 828-6255100 or Carolyn Cobb at 828-625-1831 for details. Everyone welcome.

Hospice Volunteer Training Courses Set for the Winter. Hospice of Rutherford County will conduct the next volunteer training classes May 10 through May 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Mountains Branch Library. Please bring your lunch every day but Friday. This course meets the requirements for anyone wanting to volunteer with Hospice, but the training also provides valuable information for people who want to know more about care giving, communication, grief and Hospice care. Hospice is dependant on the many talents of volunteers and is constantly in need of additional assistance. Hospice welcomes the following Lake Lure residents who have taken the volunteer training course: VeVe Bartlet, Dick Brucksch, Ann Clum, Carolyn Cobb, Kay Dittmer, Marge Finan, Shirley Masman, Jeanine Noble, Bunny Raftis, Betty Reynolds, Shirley Schwindt, Joan Strom, Bobbie Thompson, and Jim Wills. For more information or to register for either class, please call 828-2450095 or 1-800-218-2273.

The 9th Annual Dogwood Festival will be held on April 17 and 18. There will be a parade, crafts and food. For more information, contact Joyce Schmitt at 828-625-2784 (Lake View Store) or Sharon Theiss at 828-625-0204.

The Lake Lure Republicans will meet at the Lodge on Lake Lure on Match 4, 1999; 6:30 p.m. social hour includes finger foods/beverages; 7:15 p.m. meeting; and a guest speaker Bill Cobey, candidate for Chairman of the North Carolina GOP. Reservations are required due to limited space at the Lodge. Anyone interested may attend. Ca11828-625-1831 for reservations.

The Lake Lure Newcomers invites anyone interested in joining their group to call Fred or Jeanine Noble at 828-625-8706. There are lots of fun activities and get togethers. If you have lived in Lake Lure for two years or less, this is a great opportunity for you to make new friends.

Note: The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the April issue is March 17, 1999.