Published by Town of Lake Lure, P. O. Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746

MAYOR'S COMMENTS

By Jack Powell

Shortly after the Town Council meeting on March 16, I requested the thoughts of Retired U. S. Coast Guard Admiral Clyde Lusk on the approach to a lake use study. Clyde, as he prefers to be called, is uniquely qualified to assess our concerns regarding lake density and boating safety. His observations and suggestions are valued and his memorandum is set forth on the Town Website at www.ci.lake-lure.nc.us for interested parties to review. Special attention should be directed to the conclusions. Clyde, we thank you.

The suggestions offered in this memorandum will be studied by Council and others before setting the course for the long-range study of the issues. This is one reason the majority of Council has not yet authorized a formal study. Council will seek input and deliberate until we are reasonably unified on the approach to take.

(Copies of the letter can be obtained at Town Hall for a small copying fee.)

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

By Police Chief Mike Bustle

The Lake Lure Police Department sponsored a dunking booth titled "Dunk a Cop" on April 17th during the Lake Lure Dogwood festival for the LLPD Children's fund. The Lake Lure Police Department would like to express their appreciation to those who participated and contributed to this worthwhile cause.

Also, the Community Policing Exchange of Washington, DC published an article titled Police Officers to Be Problem Solvers in their March/April 1999 issue. Lake Lure Police Officers were featured in this article including crime problem-solving techniques to be used in the community.

WE MOURN THE LOSS OF

L. M. PEARSON

By Carolyn H. Cobb, Mayor Pro-tem

L. M. Pearson served as Mayor to Lake Lure from 1951-1957.

L. M. was more than this to our Town. He was a friend to all, a businessman non pareil and a shining example of integrity.

L. M. died on April 19th, late in the night; leaving a tremendous void in our community. We are sorry, Frankie. Those of us who know are aware of the wonderful mate you were.

I had many talks with the Pearsons when campaigning some nearly four years ago. That will always remain my good fortune

for I am a better servant to my Town because of these talks. Town Council, the entire Staff of Lake Lure, and all LM's friends mourn his loss. He will, indeed, live on in the hearts of many.

 TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

 REGULAR MEETING: The regular Town Council meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 1999.

Under the "Consent Agenda", Council approved the minutes of March 16, 1999 (Regular Meeting/Workshop Meeting/Closed Session Meeting); approved the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce request to hold a fireworks display on Sunday, July 4, 1999 at the Lake Lure Town Pavilion area; and approved the Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association request to reserve the Lake Lure Community Hall for July 7, 1999 to hold their annual meeting from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and suspend the Town ordinance prohibiting alcoholic beverages during the time of this meeting.

 In other activities, the Town Council:

* Held a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding adult entertainment establishments and approved ordinance no. 99-04-13;

* Approved ordinance no. 99-04-13A (amendment to the Lake Structures Regulations to amend section 94.14 limiting the number of marinas on the lake). The vote was 3 to 2 with Commissioner Cobb, Commissioner Stanier and Mayor Powell voting in favor. Commissioner Rose and Commissioner Sheffield voted against;

* Extended the term of the Lake Lure Tours Contract;

* Heard a report from the Strategic Planning Steering Committee;

* Approved a request from Gale Wilson to use Town property for a bi-annual conference event on May 19-21, 1999 including a program called the "Labyrinth" facilitated by Joe Miguez being held on Thursday night, May 20th. This is an actual maze laid out on the ground in which participants go through a self-directed journey and using problem solving skills to emerge on the other side;

* Police Chief Mike Bustle requested that Town Council consider building a Town Hall Dock;

* Mayor Powell declared by proclamation that the first Thursday in May, 1999, be designated as "A Day of Prayer in Lake Lure";

* Held a discussion regarding the commercial use of the lake; and

* Scheduled two public hearings to be held at the May 11th, Town Council meeting and the June 8th Town Council meeting for the purpose of receiving public comments/input regarding the report presented by the Lake Lure Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING: The Town Council held a Council Retreat meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 1999, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Conference Center.

 Activities included:

* Authorized Andy Givens, Cardinal Energy, to file a motion to compel regarding hydro electric rates;

* Prioritized/identified Town goals/policies for the fiscal year 1999-2000;

* Scheduled a Special Town Council Workshop meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center; and

* Held a discussion about random drug testing for Town employees.

SPECIAL TOWN WORKSHOP MEETING: The Town Council held a Workshop meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Activities included:

* Approved a request from the Rutherford Hospital to waive the rental fee for use of the Lee Power's Room (Municipal Center building) on June 30, 1999 to conduct mammography screening;

* Scheduled a Town Council Budget Workshop meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center;

* Approved a request from Danny Bridges, McGill Associates, regarding authorization to proceed the engineering design of the wastewater treatment facility and the interceptor rehabilitation; and

* Prioritized/identified Town goals/policies for the fiscal year 1999-2000;

30TH ANNUAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS

WEEK (MAY 2 - 8, 1999)

IIMC has designated May 2 - 8, 1999 as Municipal Clerks Week. Initiated in 1969 and sponsored by IIMC, Municipal Clerks Week recognizes the important role of Municipal Clerks in local government, and their contributions in serving their communities and educating the public on the significance of their roles.

NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

The Town Potluck Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center. Bring a dish to share.

Friends of the Mountain Branch Library invites you to their semi-annual meeting on May 23, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure library. There will be a noted naturalist, a storyteller and a published author Doug Elliott who will share his wit/wisdom about the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Everyone is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The local VFW Post #10473 will hold it's "Buddy" poppy sale during May 29-31 (Memorial Day weekend). "Honor the Dead by Helping the Living" by buying/wearing a VFW "Buddy" poppy. What better way of bringing meaning to the VFW #M0770. Please support this worthy cause.

The Rutherford County Meals on Wheels Program desperately needs volunteers to help deliver meals to shut-ins. Please help aid this cause. If you would like to volunteer your time, call the Senior Center at 828-287-6409.

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.

The Lake Lure Republicans will hold a "Gala on the Green" (white elephant sale, bake goods, and much more) on May 8th (rain date May 15th) from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Arcade Building. The Rutherford County Hospice will receive half of the proceeds. Everyone is invited to attend.

Mountains Community Church is sponsoring a Saturday morning Kid's Bible Club for all children from the ages of 5 to 12. There will be a Bible study, related crafts, mission activities, recreation, and refreshments. The Bible Club will meet every Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Everyone is invited. The Mountains Community Church is located off of highway US 64/74-A near the entrance to Riverbend.

 Hospice Volunteer Training Courses.  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 except 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. For more information or to register for either class, please call 828-245-0095 or 1-800-218-2273.

  Note: The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the June issue is May 19, 1999.