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

As this budget crunch time, the regular Town Manager's Report will be delayed until July.

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Wendy Hasenbalg, employee of the month, has been with the Town of Lake Lure since August of 1999. She serves as secretary to Ron Morgan who is the town's Fire and Emergency Management Coordinator. Wendy graduated with honors from Rutherford-Spindale High School. She has attended Campbell College and Isothermal Community College. In addition, Wendy has served as a volunteer for the Green Hill Fire Department for several years. Wendy and her husband Kirk reside on Sid Sims road in Rutherford County. Wendy, we say "thanks" for a great job.

We welcome to our staff, our newest employee, Steven Kim. Steven is the newest officer in the Lake Lure police department. We are fortunate to have Steven on our staff.

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REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the "consent agenda," Council:

* approved the minutes of April 10, 2001 (regular meeting);

* approved request from Christina Martin & Morgan Rich to suspend the town alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer, wine and champagne during a wedding reception inside the Community Hall of Lake Lure Municipal Center on May 4, 2002, from 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m.; and

* approved request from Rick Coley, Lake Lure Tours Inc., to suspend the town alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer and wine during the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce "Business after Hours" event, at the Lake Lure Beach, May 21, 2001, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

In other activities, Town Council:

* held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 01-05-08 amending the Zoning Map referenced in Chapter 92 of the Lake Lure Code of Ordinances;

* held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 01-05-08A amending chapter 94 of the Lake Lure Code of Ordinances regarding moored floating platforms;

* heard a committee report from the Zoning and Planning Board Chairman Dick Washburn;

* appointed Lynn Weaver to serve on the town's 75th anniversary committee;

* approved $1,000 to fund the town's 75th anniversary celebration;

* approved agreement between the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the town for a pay and classification study;

* adopted a revised rules of procedure for the Lake Lure Town Council;

* adopted Resolution No. 01-05-08 regarding the North Carolina General Assembly's engagement in redrawing the North Carolina Senatorial and House of Representatives districts in accordance with the result of the federal census for the Year 2000;

* adopted Ordinance No. 01-05-08B amending Title IX "Planning and Regulation of Development" of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Lake Lure regarding fabric structures; and

* scheduled a special town workshop meeting on May 15, 2001, 9:00 a.m., at Lake Lure Municipal Center.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Town Council held a workshop meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2001, at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Town Council:

* reviewed budget items for fiscal year 2001-2002;

* adopted Ordinance No. 01-05-15 amending Title IX, Chapter 96, of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Lake Lure pertaining to fabric structures; and

* approved permit submitted by Rick Coley, Pres. Lake Lure Tours, Inc. for a fabric structure.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING: Town Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Town Council:

* opened bids to lease-purchase golf carts for the town and awarded the contract based on best low bid and responsiveness to bid specifications to Club Car, Inc., Asheville, North Carolina; and

* approved permit submitted by Camp Lurecrest for a "blob" floating structure and denied their request to allow a floating trampoline structure at this time based on a moratorium currently in effect for variances.

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On Wednesday, May 16th, a Lake Lure Community Police Officer was injured slightly while on patrol when a passing motorist crossed the center line and crashed head-on into his patrol vehicle on Boys Camp Road. The new Ford Explorer received extensive damage and Corporal Shane Ramsey was transported to Rutherford County Hospital in Rutherfordton, where he was treated and released. The operator of the other vehicle, Thomas Adam McFalls of Fairview was not injured, but was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while impaired. The accident was investigated by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the charge is pending court.

After receiving numerous complaints of motorcycle noise in our area, attempts to initiate voluntary compliance and reduce the noise pollution appear to be working. Complaints following the initiation of the police programs have dwindled to almost zero. Please advise us of your concerns.

As the summer season begins with the seasonal influx of tourists, please take special care as you drive in and around the Lake Lure/Hickory Nut Gorge region. The beauty of our area diverts attention from operating motor vehicles. It's also the time of year that most of North Carolina law enforcement agencies participate in their yearly "Click-it or Ticket" campaign. Taking a few extra minutes to arrive alive will most certainly save much more.

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The NCWRC will be offering boating safety classes on June 4-5, 2001 and July 10-11, 2001. Get Certified! Many states have gone to requiring a boat operator's license. This year, North Carolina requires personal watercraft operators to be licensed. At our recent Lake Advisory Committee meeting, Sergeant Tim Fisk of the NCWRC indicated that requiring a boat operator's license for the use of all motorized watercraft may be coming in the not-to-distant future.

The North Carolina Resource Commission will be holding two safety courses this summer in Rutherford County. Officer Mitchell Kirkland will be conducting these classes. Those who attend and pass the course will receive a boating safety certificate, which may or may not expedite obtaining a license when it becomes mandatory. In any event, expanding your knowledge of safe boating practices as well as state and local laws that regulate activities on Lake Lure may prove valuable on a busy Sunday afternoon this summer. If you wish to attend one of these six-hour courses, they last three hours each evening. The exact time and place are yet to be announced. Please contact Town Hall for further information.

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The proposed budget for the Town of Lake Lure has been presented to the Lake Lure Town Council and is available for public inspection at Town Hall in the Lake Lure Municipal Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

There will be a public hearing on June 12, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. or thereafter, at the Town Council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center, for the purpose of discussing the proposed budget. Citizens are invited to make written or oral comments.

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The Rutherford County Meals on Wheels Program desperately needs volunteers to help deliver to shut-ins. Aid a worthy cause. Help yourself by giving a little and receiving satisfaction in return. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 828-287-6409.

Free computer classes open to the public at the Union Mills Lifelong Learning Center each week. Classes begin on Monday through Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Beginner Classes will be held each Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. An assistant will be available for surfing the net at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and personal use of the computer at 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For more details call 828-287-5876 or 828-287-5163.

Lakeside Chapel Worship Service, sponsored by Chimney Rock Baptist Church, will begin Sunday, May 6, 2001 and extend through October 14, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. The Lakeside chapel is located across from the Lake View Exxon Store, Memorial Highway 64/74-A. Everyone is welcome to come worship.

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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