Town of Lake Lure, 

North Carolina

by Jim Proctor

Lake Lure has lost two of its most dedicated public servants, former Mayor Jack Powell and former Mayor Gene Michelon.

Jack Powell (Mayor 1998 to 1999) always had an active interest in our environment and, of course, our town's finances. It is because of Jack's concern for our future that we now have a concise report and recommendations from the Lake Lure Strategic Planning Steering Committee. As most of you know, Jack created the town's web-site. In Jack's honor, I am dedicating this site (www.ci.lake-lure.nc.us) to Jack's memory.

Gene Michelon (Mayor 1987 to 1991) started the town's newsletter you are reading now. Gene was also instrumental in the creation of our Veteran's Memorial near the Lake Lure Arcade Building and the town Boardwalk near the Marina.

We are fortunate to have had such unselfish friends and leaders.

Memorial Gifts

Donations for Gene Michelon may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, American Red Cross, or to the charity of choice.

Contributions for Jack Powell may be made to Owen Heart Center and/or M.A.M.A. of Mission St. Joseph's Hospital. Send to M.S.J. Foundation, 509 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-4690. Include a note giving the name and address of the person making the donation. Also, mention the gift is in memory of Daniel J. (Jack) Powell, P. O. Box 129, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

On another note, I would like to applaud the combined efforts of the Lake Lure Police Department and our friends from other law enforcement agencies. Their efforts and professionalism helped keep order during our crowded 4^th of July week this year. I am happy to report that the town had a very safe fourth of July weekend with no significant problems.

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

July 4th Holiday

By now you are all aware that this past holiday was celebrated with almost no adverse incidents. The concerns that we all had over traffic congestion, parking, and potentially unruly visitors were unfulfilled. This was due in part to the low attendance at the concert held at the Riverside Pavilion, but also to the preparation and execution of plans in anticipation of those concerns.

The July 4th holiday is typically very busy with folks going to the beach and marina, the annual craft show, and the fireworks. Margarita Grill does a booming business and attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from all over. Chimney Rock Village is packed with shoppers and people going to and from the park. This year, we had the added complication of a concert that, in the beginning three months ago, was projected to bring an additional 1,500 to 2,000 people to a very small site with absolutely no on-site parking. The band that was originally advertised, Lynyrd Skynyrd, would definitely have attracted this large a crowd and we were reasonably concerned about the impacts of this many additional people in town. As it was later revealed, the actual band booked was not the one advertised, so the turnout was reduced in scale to about 750 people for Saturday and the same on Sunday. This, however, raised a new concern that several individuals had purchased tickets expecting to see Lynyrd Skynyrd and they would be very annoyed to find this was not the case.

Understandably, Chief Bustle was worried that civil unrest might be added to congestion and our small police force could be overwhelmed by the effort to maintain order. In an abundance of caution, Mike contacted several other law enforcement agencies with a call for assistance. At least ten agencies responded and Mike assigned Sgt. Rick Tullis to prepare an operational plan to coordinate their efforts. On Saturday, July 1, approximately 50 representatives of various agencies gathered in the Town Hall to form teams under Sgt. Tullis’s general supervision to patrol the town center from the ABC store to the town limits at Chimney Rock Village. Included were representatives from the Rutherford and Henderson County sheriff’s departments; the Rutherford, Spindale and Forest City police departments; the NC State Highway Patrol; the NC State Bureau of Corrections; the NC Bureau of Alcohol Law Enforcement; and the NC State Bureau of Investigation; as well as the Hickory Nut Gorge EMS, the Chimney Rock Fire Department and our own police department. Just in case, two magistrates from the County Court were on hand to book anyone arrested and the Bureau of Correction’s prisoner transfer bus were available to use as a lock-up and to transfer arrestees to the county jail.

Everyone performed in a very professional manner and I have received no complaints about police harassment. Although, I understand that several visiting bikers were somewhat intimidated by the police presence! I was on hand for the entire day and was very pleased with the performance of the entire task force and, in particular, our own people. Mike Bustle should be congratulated for his foresight and general coordination and Rick Tullis for his development plan and supervision.

A lot of people have stated we over-reacted based on the fact there were no major incidents. I believe there were no major incidents because we were prepared.

Deaths in the Family

Three deaths have recently saddened our little community. First, young Caleb Teears tragically drowned at the Municipal Beach. Caleb was the son of Robert and Laura Teears of Lake Lure Tours. Then former Mayor Jack Powell was killed in a traffic accident in Missouri. And just this week, we got word that former Mayor Gene Michelon passed away in Rutherfordton. Our hearts go out to the families of all three.

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TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Michelle Villazon, employee of the month, has been with the Town of Lake Lure since July 1, 1999. Prior to her employment with the town, Michelle was with the U.S. Coast Guard where she was involved in law enforcement, including search and rescue. She also served as Morale Chairman for the 9th District. While serving in the Coast Guard, Michelle founded and implemented a program to raise funds for military families with children facing life threatening illnesses.

Michelle is a black belt in Kung-fu and a member of the Florida Black Belt Association. She received her certification in Basic Law Enforcement at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. In addition, Michelle is certified in child guidance and spanish for law enforcement. Presently, Michelle is pursuing a certification for criminal sexual assaults. We say thank you to Michelle for the great job she is doing for Lake Lure.

Congratulations to Finance Director Sam Karr and his wife Denise Karr on the arrival of their new daughter Mia Lacey. Mia arrived on July 20th and weighed in at six and a half pounds. Mother and daughter are doing great.

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TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the "consent agenda," Council:

* approved the minutes of June 13, 2000 (regular meeting), and June 9, 2000 (special meeting);

In other activities, Town Council:

* held a public hearing for proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance rezoning Shumont Estates Phase 4, lots 14 through 27 from R-1A to R-1C;

* adopted Ordinance No. 00-07-11 amending the Town of Lake Lure zoning ordinance;

* heard a report from the town manager regarding an action plan for the town dredge;

* approved a budget amendment of $2,856 from the fund balance to pay the town's share of the Rutherford City/County Narcotics Task Force budget, contingent upon the county and other municipalities agreeing to pay their share.

* accepted a bid of $165,787 from Williams Electric Company of Shelby regarding the hydro interconnection project;

* appointed Woody Price to serve on the Lake Lure Golf Course Advisory Committee;

* authorized the Mayor to draft a resolution recognizing the Lake Lure Police Department personnel, as well as, other law enforcement personnel for their invaluable service and assistance during the weekend of July 4, 2000.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: A special town meeting was held on Thursday, July 20, 2000, at the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of adopting Resolution No. 00-07-20 regarding a police grant.

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COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

By Police Chief Mike Bustle

The Lake Lure Police Department is pleased to report town council approval of pursuing a North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety grant for the establishment of a traffic safety unit. If obtained, this grant will provide the majority of funding for two fully equipped police vehicles, complete with mobile data computer terminals, video camera system, radar system, stop sticks, battery operated flares, reflective traffic cones, and check point signs.

This three-year grant will enable the implementation of a traffic safety unit which will employ a variety of innovative techniques, technologies to address traffic, and pedestrian safety concerns. The goal of this unit will be to reduce the increasing crash rate, severity of crashes, economic impact of crashes through enforcement patrols, safety workshops, and seminars for the public.

An analysis of crash and fatality statistics during the previous three-year period indicates that especially during peak seasons, at least one fatality occurs yearly, while crashes and traffic arrests (including driving while impaired) at least quadruple. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, Lake Lure ranks seventy-ninth in vehicle crashes for the 1998 Ranking of Cities with Populations of less than 10,000. Statistics reveal that of this vehicle crash total, fourteen percent were alcohol related. These figures demonstrate a dire need for increased measures, within the existing community policing framework.

The goal of the Lake Lure Police Department is the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property. A traffic unit, specifically designated to address the traffic crash problem, utilizing enforcement and educational initiatives, will enhance the public’s awareness of traffic safety issues and thereby save lives of our residents and guests.

We thank you for your continued support of your police department. It can’t be done effectively without you

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UPPER BROAD RIVER WATERSHED

Interest is growing in Watershed Protection. The public, local municipalities, North Carolina State Agencies, and our Government are working towards Watershed Protection. Scientific studies concerning the publics’ opinion of the economic value of water quality show it is an important issue. Some questions the public is asked are what degree of importance do you place on the drinking water quality? What level of importance do you place on the protection of stream bank areas that contain buffers of native plants and tree species? How do you measure the importance of the recreational value of our streams and lakes? What do you think? How should we measure the cost versus the benefit of watershed protection?

Clean Water Management Trust Fund is a state grant awarded to the Upper Broad River Watershed that is part of the Broad River Basin. We provide a 75% cost share reimbursement program to property owners implementing erosion control measures protecting our soil and water quality. We also work with property owners on stream bank restoration efforts.

Call Pamela Pyles at the Town of Lake Lure at 828-625-9983, ext. 123 for information about our watershed programs.

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by Town Manager H. M. Place III

Golf Course Manager Charles Caldwell submitted his resignation effective at the end of June. He had been employed at the golf course since 1990 and became manager in 1993. The Golf Course Advisory Committee has been assisting me in reviewing the qualifications of candidates for that position and we hope to have a replacement for Charles on board during the month of August. The applicants that we have spoken to so far are all optimistic about the potential and viability of the course and all have had proposals for improvements. In the interim, the newly formed membership committee under chairman Woody Price is helping with the day-to-day operation and promotion of the facility.

We have had a lot of comments from golfers and non-golfers alike about the appearance of the course. Many have said that the course looks better than it has in several years. While this is due in part to the slightly increased rainfall this summer, most of the credit goes to our hard working employees, in particular Steve Greenlee who spends countless hours grooming the fairways and greens.

One of the primary causes for the browning of the course in the past has been the lack of adequate, consistent source of water for irrigation. We have just put in a new well to help replenish the water in the irrigation pond. In addition, the pond has been cleaned out in an effort to increase its capacity. While this may still not be adequate in periods of severe drought, it should be a big help throughout most of the year.

New things are happening on the course. Join us for a few rounds or better yet, become a member and participate in the new activities that are being planned.

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LAKE LURE TOURS, INC.

By Richard Coley, President

Dear Town Council and Staff:

On behalf of the Lake Lure Tours, Inc. family, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support during the tragic loss of Caleb Teears in June. The level of professionalism displayed by the police department and emergency personnel was beyond the call of duty. In particular, I would like to thank Police Chief Mike Bustle and Mayor Jim Proctor, who during that difficult time, fielded numerous media questions and successfully protected the privacy of the grieving parents. As you can imagine, our staff was overwhelmed and the outpouring of support and help greatly assisted in seeing each of us through a very difficult period.

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NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

All boat owners are invited to participate in the Lake Lure Grand Parade of Lights on December 2. Join the most colorful Lake Lure event of the Year 2000. Keep reading future newsletters for details about the parade. Call Beth Rose at 828-625-4493 if you are interested in serving on the boat parade committee.

The Chimney Rock Baptist Church will hold worship services on Sundays (May 7 through October 8, 2000), 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Chapel located across from the Lake-View Exxon Store. Come Worship with us!

Lake Lure Newcomers invite those who are new residents 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. Anyone interested in becoming a member, call Fred Noble or Jeanine Noble at 828-625-8706.

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Notice

For comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-0077.

Send mail to  Webmaster@ci.lake-lure.nc.us  with questions or comments about this web site.

The Official Government Site of the Town of Lake Lure.

This Site is dedicated to the memory of former Mayor Jack Powell.

This web site is prepared and maintained by the Town of Lake Lure webmaster.  The information contained in this site was believed to be valid at the time of posting.  The Town of Lake Lure assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies.  Moreover, the Town of Lake Lure is not responsible for the content nor endorses any site which has a link from this page.