THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE

LAKE LURE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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

By H. M. "Chuck" Place III, AICP

Parks and Recreation Board

The land Use Plan and the Strategic Plan both speak to the need for parks and recreation facilities. As a means to further this goal, I have recommended that Town Council create a new "Parks and Recreation Board" who’s primary function would be to inventory all town owned property, determine the properties appropriate for park or recreation activities, develop master use plans for these properties, and research funding options (including grants and low-cost loans). This would be an advisory board with minimal powers of its own and the board would make reports/recommendations to Town Council for any action needed. The board would also be responsible for recommending landscaping plans for various town properties ranging from Shakespeare Point to the triangular median at NC Highway 9 and US 64/74A.

The Mayor is currently accepting applications from persons that would like to serve on this board. We would prefer people with expertise in or knowledge of parks, recreation, or landscaping, but this is not a requirement. Preference will be given to town residents or property owners.

Personnel Notes

I am happy to announce that Linda Ward has transferred from the Golf Course Department to Administrative Department as the Town Hall receptionist clerk. A four year employee at the golf course pro shop, Linda was known for her job knowledge, and for her courteous and pleasant manner. We are pleased to have her holding down the very critical front desk. She is also responsible for issuance of boat permits and rental of town facilities such as the meeting rooms and the gazebo.

Back at the golf course, there has been a complete turnover of pro shop staff. Pro shop clerk Erin O’Connell recently resigned her position and Golf Course Manager Charles Caldwell had to find replacements for both Linda and Erin. Now on the job are Deborah Hayes and Jeana Hall.

Please join me in welcoming all three ladies to their new jobs.

By Police Chief Mike Bustle

With the arrival of tourists, and the hot summer months, many questions regarding alcoholic refreshment have arisen.

Possession and sale of alcohol in North Carolina is strictly regulated by two sets of state laws and rules: the North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 18B (Laws) and the North Carolina Administrative Code (Commission Rules), all in the interest of public safety. Please note that the General Statutes and rules are the final state authority. Copies of either may be obtained by contacting the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Local municipalities may also additionally regulate the possession of alcohol, which the Town of Lake Lure has chosen to do, on specific town property, such as the beach, community center area, and public streets.

Specifically, most recent questions concern the possession of alcohol on Lake Lure. North Carolina state statutes allow the possession of beer and unfortified wine on the waters of Lake Lure. Spirituous liquors are not permitted. However, these statutes do not prohibit one from visiting your local ABC store by boat. Residents and tourists may travel by boat to the ABC store, make a purchase of spirituous liquor and return to their residence, but the integrity of the liquor bottle seal must be maintained (unbroken). This law is identical to the state law regulating the transportation of spirituous liquor by other motor vehicles (cars and trucks).

Hopefully, this summary of the North Carolina state law and Lake Lure Town ordinances will answer many questions you may have concerning the possession and sale of alcohol in Lake Lure. If you have further questions, please contact us at your police department (828-625-4911), the local area Alcohol Law Enforcement office in Asheville (828-251-6198), or the state ABC Commission (704-342-6322).

Special Note: Many thanks to Lou and Pat Hughes of Lake Lure RV Park and Campground for their donation of a Mercury outboard motor for the Police Zodiac boat.

Emergencies: 911

Non-Emergency Officer Dispatch: 828-286-2911 (Rutherford County Sheriff's Dept.)

Other Non-Emergency questions /or concerns about laws, regulations, etc.: 828-625-4911 (Lake Lure Police Dept. -- Business hours Monday through Friday)

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

Under the "Consent Agenda", Council approved the minutes of June 23, 1999 (Special Meeting), June 22, 1999 (Special Meeting), June 15, 1999 (Recessed Budget Workshop Meeting), June 8, 1999 (Regular Meeting), June 2, 1999 (Recessed Budget Workshop Meeting), and May 18, 1999 (Recessed Budget Workshop Meeting).

In other activities, Town Council:

* Scheduled a Special meeting on Friday, July 16, 1999, 1:00 p.m., for the purpose of approving goals/objectives of the Lake Use Study and develop questions to be answered by the town and/or consultants;

* Approved a request from the Town Manager to appropriate $2,500 from the contingency fund for a survey, plat, and appraisal of town property located on the west side of NC highway #9 at Girl Scout Road;

* Held a discussion on the development of standard operating procedures manual for the Hydro-Electric Plant Operator; and

* Scheduled a special meeting on Thursday, August 12th, at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing recommendations from the Strategic Plan, Lake Management Plan, and Land Use Plan.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Town Council held a special meeting on Friday, July 16, 1999, 1:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center. The purpose of this meeting was to approve goals/objectives of the Lake Use Study and develop questions to be answered by the town and/or consultants.

In other activities, Town Council:

* Adopted a goal statement for the Lake Use Study;

* Authorized the Town Manager to develop an RFP for a Lake Use Study;

* Authorized the Town Manager to draft an ordinance to discontinue the use of all jet skies on the lake effective as of January 1, 2000; and

* Rescheduled a special meeting from Thursday, August 12th to Friday, August 13th, at 1:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing recommendations from the Strategic Plan, Lake Management Plan, and Land Use Plan.

The deadline of filing to run for an office as "Mayor" or a "Commissioner" for the Town of Lake Lure is Friday, August 6, 1999, before 12:00 noon. Debbie Bedford will be glad to answer questions You must file at the Rutherford County Board of Elections Office (828-287-6030 or 828-287-6031).

The Town of Lake Lure Potluck Suppers passed away on June 10, 1999. I'm sure everyone was aware it has been on life support for sometime. Thirteen brave Potluckers voted to pull the plug and voted to give away all of our assets which included the following:

1. Our money ($84.62) was given to the Hickory Nut Gorge Recreation Association.

2. Our coffee pot went to Helping Neighbors, Inc.

3. Miscellaneous items such as coffee, salt, and other minor items were given to the Town Hall break room.

4. All plates, cups, plastic ware, tablecloths, and decorations were given to Martha Jane Powers for the Children's Christmas Party.

I would like to thank all of you who attended our dinners for all these many years. Also, I would especially like to thank all those who helped set up, tear down, hosted, took care of publicity, programs, and all who were callers. A special thank you to our town and their crews who helped and supported our suppers. It was my privilege to know all of you and be able to work with you. If anyone has any questions about the Potluck Suppers, you may call me at 828-625-1432.

There will be a AL-ANON meeting held every Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Mountains Community Church. For more information, contact at 828-625-1724.

Lake Lure Newcomers invites those who are a new resident in Lake Lure (18 months or less) to join them in various activities which include potluck, gourmet, out'n about, theater, bridge/poker, book club, and hiking. If you are interested in becoming a member, call Fred Noble or Jeanine Noble at 828-625-8706.

Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association held their annual meeting on July 7, 1999, at the Lake Lure Municipal Center Community Hall. Sixty-eight members played a name game, enjoyed refreshments and heard reports from the board during the short business meeting. The guest speaker, Police Chief Mike Bustle, spoke about his new officers, new vehicles, safety during Fourth of July, and the added protection on the lake. Members voted to donate money to help buy the motor for the fire boat, and requested that others in the community do the same. New logo signs were distributed to members for boathouses. For those who were unable to attend this meeting, there will be a rafting on August 18, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. in the main basin to distribute signs. If you are unable to attend this rafting, contact Betty Ross at 828-625-5161.

Lake Lure VFW members will hold meetings every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lake Lure Community Center.

Note: The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the September issue is August 18, 1999.