by Jack Powell

Several weeks ago, our Town lost two of its dedicated public servants, former Mayor Priscilla Doyle and Commissioner Gene Sheffield. Priscilla was responsible for the town gazebo project, which will soon be co-dedicated in recognition of her service as Mayor (1992-1993). A new Town Seal for council chambers was recently dedicated in memory of Gene Sheffield. It was donated to the Town by the Mayor and Commissioners who served with Gene. We are fortunate to have benefited from the efforts of these members of our community who were willing to contribute so unselfishly to make this a better place to live.

As election time rolls around, the role of the mayor in our council-manager form of government has been made a subtle issue. In my opinion, the mayor must take a leadership role and be a good facilitator to be effective. As I reflect on the past two years and look to the future, I am convinced that this is the role I expect of the mayor of our town. Without strong leadership, some of the accomplishments may not have occurred. These include strategic planning, the Town Website and the open communication it represents, financial data and analysis not previously available, and necessary personnel changes. This is not to imply that one person is responsible. Many others were involved: the Commissioners, the volunteers that serve on our Boards and Committees, and our faithful and hard working employees. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your help and support.

Especially to the members of this community, the "Gem of the Carolinas", I thank you for the opportunity to have served as your Mayor.

COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONER BETH ROSE

To the residents and part-time residents of Lake Lure. In a week, I will be ending four years as your representative on our Town Council. I have ridden the waves over the past four years, but it has been a very enjoyable experience and one that on most occasions, made me proud. Thank you for electing me. It was a great honor to have served you.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

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

Parks and Recreation Board (again)

Back in the August issue I announced the Council’s intent to form a Parks and Recreation Board. At that time, I stated that the land Use Plan and the Strategic Plan both speak to the need for parks and recreation facilities. To that end, I recommended that Town Council create this new 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; the board would make reports and recommendations to Town Council for any action needed. The board would also be responsible for recommending landscaping and beautification plans for various town properties ranging from Shakespeare Point to the triangular median at NC Highway 9 and US 64/74A.

To date, we have been underwhelmed with applications. Two, to be exact, with one more pending (I hope). This really surprised me. I know there are still some folks in the gorge and around the lake that were born here, but most of us moved here from somewhere else. And why did we pick Lake Lure? You can list a lot of reasons, but I bet one of the most important was the beauty and serenity of the area. Even the folks that didn’t have any choice regarding their birth here have probably stayed because of the magnificence of the locale. That’s what surprised me; the primary focus of this new board will be to maintain and enhance the natural beauty through development of park lands and public open spaces. Wouldn’t you like to help? Council has a lot of choices regarding the use of town property. For example, they have considered clear-cutting the land behind the golf course for the income the timber would bring. They have also considered developing some of this land for park and recreation activities, leaving most of the trees in place. Would you like some input into this decision?

Up to now, most recreation has involved the lake. But the majority of the citizens of Lake Lure do not own land on the lake and don’t even own a boat. So what do they do for recreation? How about a new softball or soccer field, or running and walking trails, or lighted tennis courts for night play, or a play ground for the grandkids off Buffalo Creek Road, or even dances at town hall. Get on the board and help us plan!

The Mayor in 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.

TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

By Betty Hinson, Personnel Director

Employee of the month Deborah K. Hayes has been with the Town of Lake Lure since June 18th of this year. She is a Pro Shop Clerk at the Lake Lure Golf Course. Deborah was formerly with Larkins on the Lake. Deborah is a native of Polk County and has lived in Henderson, Buncombe and Haywood Counties. She presently resides in Rutherford County. Deborah attended Tuscola High School and Montreat Anderson College. She is the niece of former Lake Lure Postmaster Joan Rice. Deborah's responsibilities at the golf course include assisting customers in the Pro Shop, balancing cash reports for each day, and various other duties. Deborah, thank you for a job well done.

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

REGULAR MEETING: The regular Town Council meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 1999.

Under the "Consent Agenda", Council approved the minutes of September 2, 1999 (Special Meeting/Closed Session Meeting), and September 14, 1999 (Regular Meeting); adopted Resolution No: 99-10-12 (Authorizing the release of the town's share of funds to the Isothermal Planning/Development Commission); adopted Resolution No: 99-10-12A (Municipal agreement between the Town of Lake Lure and the North Carolina Department of Transportation regarding reinspection of bridges on the Municipal street system F A Project BRZ-NBIS (9) ); approved request to waive the Lake Lure Community Center rental fee for the Hickory Nut Gorge Children's Christmas Party; and approved request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce to: (1) suspend the town's peddling ordinance for an annual Halloween festival on Friday, October 29, 1999 and Saturday, October 30, 1999; (2) use town property (grassy median between the Lake Lure Arcade Building and the street for both nights of the Halloween festival; and (3) block off the street area directly in front of/between the Lake Lure arcade area and the median during the Halloween festival.

In other activities, Town Council:

* Held a dedication of the Town Seal. This seal was dedicated in recognition of outstanding service to the Town of Lake Lure by Commissioner Gene Sheffield (1998-1999). Courtesy of Mayor Jack Powell, Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Cobb, Commissioner Beth Rose, and Commissioner Jack Stanier;

* Accepted a bid proposal of $10,170 from Jimmy's Construction and Boat Storage to construct a 4' x 80' town boat dock and approved an additional $1,000 to purchase rip-rap for a sea wall. If required, the town will apply for a variance permit before constructing a town boat dock/sea wall. The vote of approval was 3 to 2. Commissioners Cobb and Stanier voted in favor of motion. Commissioners Cox and Rose voted against the motion. Mayor Powell voted in favor of the motion breaking the tie vote;

* Clarified figures regarding a Lake Lure golf course financial report for 1998-1999;

* Recognized Town Clerk Mary Flack for becoming the 7th Municipal Clerk from the State of North Carolina and the 160th out of over 10,000 IIMC Municipal Clerk members to be accepted into the third sustaining level of the IIMC (International Institute of Municipal Clerks) Academy for Advanced Education;

* Tabled the adoption of the Lake Lure Emergency Ordinance and the Lake Lure Emergency Plan until the October 21, 1999 Special Town Council meeting;

* Adopted the North Carolina Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid/Assistance Agreement;

* Approved the sludge removal contract between the Town of Lake Lure and Southern Soils Builders, Inc.;

* Approved a budget amendment for an additional $33,000 to be transferred out of the water/sewer fund balance to cover the cost of sludge removal;

* Appointed Commissioner Beth Rose as a voting delegate and Mayor Jack Powell as an alternate voting delegate to represent the town at the North Carolina Municipal League Annual Business Meeting on Monday, October 25, 1999;

* Approved a request from Rick Coley to have a Halloween haunted boat tour on the lake October 29-30, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and permission for a haunted castle on town property near the town gazebo. Proceeds will be donated to various charities;

* Approved $150 to be donated to the CrimeStoppers of Rutherford County, Inc.;

* Approved the concept of a request from the Lake Lure Police Department and Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club to use the Lake Lure Community Center on Friday and Saturday nights for a youth activity center. This use is to be strictly under adult supervision and to be further planned as resources are identified, examined and selected;

* Authorized the Town Manager to enact in ordinance form a moratorium on fishing for a 30 day period after the lake is stocked this winter; and

* Approved a request from Police Chief Mike Bustle for a budget amendment of $7,500 to be used with matching funds from a grant to purchase four police video cameras.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Town Council held a special meeting on Thursday, October 21, 1999, 9:30 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Activities by Town Council included:

* Approved budget amendments for erosion control specialist and police video grant;

* Scheduled a public hearing to be held at the next regular Town Council meeting on November 9, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. or thereafter, in the Lake Lure Municipal Center;

* Prioritized recommendations from the Strategic Plan and the Land Use Plan; and

* Adopted the Town of Lake Lure Emergency Ordinance No: 99-10-21 and the Town of Lake Lure Emergency Plan.

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

By Police Chief Mike Bustle

The Town of Lake Lure was pleased to host the fall meeting of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association on October 21^st thru 27^th. Your police department worked hard to make these folks welcome and develop close relations. Many area businesses throughout the Gorge contributed to this event and we appreciate the gracious support.

Your police department is pleased to announce that the Governor’s Highway Safety Program recently awarded matching grants to the police department for three alco-sensors, one speed detection device, one radar trailer, and six in-car video camera systems. This equipment is tremendously valuable in accident prevention and liability reduction throughout the Town of Lake Lure.

On September 17th, 18th, and 19th, Officer Phillip Conner accompanied ten firefighters from Bill’s Creek Fire Department and Chimney Rock Fire Department to assist in the flood ravaged areas of Greenville, N. C. The police department’s cargo truck and the Zodiac boat and motor were quite useful during this disaster relief.

New Cost Share Program for Erosion Control

Upper Broad River Watershed Program

By Erosion Control Specialist Pamela Pyles

What an exciting time it is for the tri-county residents and businesses residing in the beautiful mountains and valleys of the Lake Lure Watershed. Funding has been received from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund through visionary and diligent efforts of the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Committee that includes soil and water conservation specialists, conservation agencies, residents of Hickory Nut Gorge, and representatives from the local governments. This funding allows us to proceed with the Lake Lure Erosion Control Cost Share Program. This unique program will pay up to 75% of costs in implementing erosion control measures of existing land erosion sites within the 95 square mile watershed of Lake Lure. Low interest loans will also be provided to landowners of new construction sites installing preventive erosion measures.

So often we feel helpless in the fight to protect our environment. Now we have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment where we live. Reducing sediment runoff will keep your topsoil intact, increase property value, improve water quality, keep our aquatic life healthy in our streams and lake, and reduce cost of dredging areas of Lake Lure.

For information about this exciting program contact the Town of Lake Lure, Erosion Control Specialist Pamela Pyles at 828-625-9983 ext. 123.

Lake Lure VWIN Results for August, 1999

General: Samples were collected on August 28th. Weather had been dry and stream levels were normal to low during the monitoring event.

The Broad River watershed: Ten sites are monitored monthly. These include one site each on the Broad River, Hickory Creek, and Reedypatch Creek which all flow into the Rocky Broad River at Bat Cave, two sites on the Rocky Broad River at Chimney Rock and at Lake Lure, and one site each at Pool Creek, Cane Creek, the Public Golf Course Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Fairfield Mountains Creek. All of the latter sites are located just upstream from Lake Lure.

All of the sites upstream from Lake Lure showed good water quality, although phosphorus concentrations were somewhat higher than usual. Pool Creek and Fairfield Mountains also showed good water quality. Ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher than normal at Buffalo Creek. This may be the result increased production and break down of organic matter in the slow flow from very low water levels. Cane Creek and the Public Golf Course Creek showed relatively poor water clarity. Both sites exceeded the turbidity standard for trout waters.

Lake Lure: Four locations on Lake Lure are monitored for temperature and dissolved oxygen at one meter depth intervals. These locations are at the dam, in the main channel, at Buffalo Bay, and at Tryon Bay. A secchi (pronounced seckee) depth is also taken at each of the four locations to measure water clarity (the greater the secchi depth, the clearer the water). The extent of light penetration is approximately twice the secchi depth. The dam and lake center locations are also monitored for phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations at one meter from the surface and one meter from the bottom.

Lake surface temperatures were still very warm by the end of August. The top 4 meters (13 feet) remained above 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) throughout the lake. Dissolved oxygen approached saturation levels in this upper layer. From 4 to 6 meters (13 to 19 feet) the water cooled to 22 degrees C (71.6 degrees F), but unlike previous years saturation levels remained at 76%. In previous years' monitoring , saturation levels declined rapidly below 4 meters in August. This somewhat cooler, but still fairly oxygenated layer may provide a small haven for fish that prefer cooler waters (although even this temperature is slightly warm for cold water species). Below 6 meters water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations decline rapidly. With the exception of the somewhat higher oxygen concentrations between 4 and 6 meters, the temperature/oxygen profile is virtually identical to the previous two years of monitoring.

Secchi depth in late August was at 2 meters (6.5 feet). This continues to be rather shallow compared to previous monitoring by various agencies in past years. Phosphorus concentrations near the surface were also quite high in August. There is more than ample phosphorus available to produce algae in the upper layer which may be the cause of the shallow secchi depth. The elevated concentrations of phosphorus entering the lake from the upper Broad River watershed are quite likely the main source of phosphorus to the lake.

FISH STOCKING PROGRAM

By Ross Worden

On October 12, Town Council authorized a 30 day moratorium on fishing after the lake is stocked this winter. The following information is provided to answer some of the questions concerning the fish stocking program.

One person mentioned that we should stock fish in March as that's the time people who live around the lake return for the summer.

1. We would still need a stabilization period for the fish (1-2lb. trout). Can anyone imagine the flack encountered by closing the lake to fishing in April? January closure makes the most sense as there is far less fishing pressure at that time of year.

Another person continues to suggest stocking fingerling trout as it would be a few years before they are caught.

1. Fingerling trout are on the menu of just about every larger fish in the lake including mature rainbow and brown trout.

2. Our bass, trout, catfish, etc., do not need another food source with all the gizzard and thread fin shad presently in Lake Lure.

3. The survival rate for 1 to 5 lb. trout is roughly 95% after stocking.

Others have asked about a catch and release program in lieu of a moratorium.

1. A catch and release program would be great and may happen in the future, especially if it were to coincide with a "delayed harvest" plan installed by the State of North Carolina on the Rocky Broad River.

2. Catch and release would also mean flies and lures only and one single hook per lure, preferably barbless.

3. Trout mortality rates are extremely high when using edible baits as they are usually swallowed causing internal damage and a slow death.

From 1926 until the mid 1950's the lake was only open to fishing from June 10 until after Labor Day.

NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

Fairfield Mountains Volunteer Fire Department serving the citizens of Lake Lure is looking for a few more good men and women. Serving as a volunteer firefighter you will experience a unique opportunity to serve your neighbors, work with fellow firefighters from other fire departments and know YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Please call Ron Morgan, Lake Lure Fire Coordinator at 625-9333 or Chief Gary Wilson at 625-4410 to learn more. Last year, Fairfield Mountains VFD answered 70 calls to assist folks needing help. The comrade, selfless efforts, of our volunteer firefighters-all well trained-helped those in need. We are looking for a few good "men and women" volunteers willing to serve and reap unusual rewards serving the citizens of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Bat Cave Fire Department from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 1999, for the Hickory Nut Gorge Blood Drive. Walk-in donors are welcome or appointments can be scheduled by calling Alice Anderson at 625-2247.

Lake Lure Newcomers invites those who are a new resident in Lake Lure (24 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.

The Fifth Annual Don Mayo Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, November 13, 1999. This is a fund raiser for the Fairfield Mountains Fire Department which covers the Town of Lake Lure. Support the department and have fun at the same time. Sponsor a hole, and/or put together a team. Mark your calendar now. The tournament will be at Apple Valley Golf Course with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start and a scramble format. The Fire Department Women's Auxiliary will once again be selling chances to compete for closest to the pin, most accurate drives, mulligans and 50-50 raffle drawing. Plan to participate. This is a great way to say thank you to the men and women who work hard all year protecting your property and the community. Call the Apple Valley Golf Course at 625-2888 or the Bald Mountain Pro Shop at 625-2626 for information about sponsoring a hole or entry forms for a team.

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

Lake Lure Antiques Mall invites you to visit its newest shop "The Pink Hydrangea". The Pink Hydrangea has unique one-of-a-kind antiques, decorative accessories, hand painted folk art furniture, aromatic candles, china, and etc. The Pink Hydrangea offers a new and different shopping experience in the Hickory Nut Gorge.

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