Town of Lake Lure, 

North Carolina

Wednesday, February 21, 2001 was designated for a statewide tornado drill. This drill was planned on a County level by the Rutherford County Emergency Management director Barry Davis, who sent written instructions to Rutherford County Communications Center, 911 Center. These instructions included announcing a tornado drill over the emergency services radios, pagers, and activating each fire departments alarm followed by an announcement of the statewide tornado drill. There was to be no use of the outdoor warning system for this drill.

Upon the drill's conclusion, the Forest City Fire Department requested Rutherford County Communications to activate their two warning sirens located in Forest City with a test scenario. The dispatcher on duty, unfamiliar with the siren encoder activated every warning siren in the county including nine of which are located in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area. The dispatcher activated the tornado warning message instead of the test scenario. Then sirens proceeded with an alert tone followed by a recorded message announcing "a tornado warning has been issued for Rutherford County. Seek shelter immediately. Leave cars and mobile homes and go to a safer shelter, a sturdy building, or ditch."

Immediately after receiving calls from the public and staff members of Town Hall about the tornado warning message, I briefed Rutherford County Communications Center about what was happening. The Sergeant who responded to my call, informed me that they sent the wrong message and did not mean to activate our sirens. Later, WLOS 13 interviewed myself and officials from the Rutherford County Communications Center about the incident. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the cause of this incident broadcasted on the television report which could leave some citizens believing the town was responsible for this mistake and doubts about the problem being corrected. The Rutherford Communications Center is writing new instructions regarding procedures for this emergency system. Also, dispatchers are being trained on how to use this system.

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Tony Hennessee, employee of the month, has been with the Town of Lake Lure since September 1988. His position with the town is that of Public Works Director. Tony graduated from UNC Asheville with a bachelor degree in sociology. He holds an advanced certification as Water Treatment Operator. Also, Toney attended several water treatment and safety seminars. Tony's duties are many and varied, but his department is always available. He resides in the Sunny View area of Polk County. Tony, we say a very special thank you for a great job.

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REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, February 13, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the "consent agenda," Council:

* approved the minutes of January 9, 2001 (regular meeting and recessed meeting); and

* approved request from the Dixie Rodder's to: (1) hold a 17th annual car show on July 13-14, 2001 on town property; (2) rent the town community center along with the grassy area behind and adjacent to the building which extends toward the town marina; (3) suspend the town peddling ordinance to allow the club to sell t-shirts and other vendors to sell food and car parts; and (4) suspend the town alcohol ordinance for participants to consume beer during this event (July 13-14, 2001) as stipulated with restrictions by the Lake Lure Police Department.

In other activities, Town Council:

* approved concession agreement between Lake Lure Tours, Inc. and the Town of Lake Lure;

* approved request from Mary Ann Hollifield for the Crafty Tarheels to: (1) hold craft shows on June 30, 2001, July 1, 2001, and September 1-3, 2001; suspend the town peddling ordinance to allow vendors to sell crafts and food; (3) use of the town community center kitchen area and the surrounding grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center; and (4) suspend the town ordinance prohibiting overnight camping for these events to allow two self contained campers to stay on town property (grassy area located adjacent to the town community center/visitor center);

* approved plat for subdivision commonly known as "Lureline Estates";

* adopted resolution no. 01-02-13 (transferring the Cable Television Franchise Agreement to Northland Cable Properties, Inc.);

* approved extending the date set for restoring the lake level to March 1, 2001;

* scheduled a Town Council retreat meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2001, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center;

* scheduled a Town Council workshop meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2001, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of reviewing a Capital Improvements Program; and

* held a closed session meeting for personnel matters (G.S. 143-318.11(a) 6).

The town is in the process of installing new water lines and relocating meters. Be aware that temporary interruptions in the water service may occur during the month of March. Should interruption occur, the repair shall take no longer than one hour to complete. Thank you for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience.

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The Hickory Nut Gorge Writers Group is collecting history, memories, folktales and Native American legends for a history of our beautiful Gorge. We will be speaking to men and women from every part of the Gorge who have long memories and valuable information to share. If you know of individuals who should be interviewed, because of their knowledge of the local area, please let us know. We would especially like pictures and stories of the "pre-lake" era. Call Paula Jordan (828-625-0969) or Russ Meade (828-625-1738).

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.

The Board of Directors of Friends of Mountains Branch Library cordially invites volunteers of the library to a coffee get together on Saturday, March 17th, at 10:00 a.m. in the community room across from the library. Kindly R.S.V.P. Thelma Thornton at 828-625-4794 by March 14th. Anyone interested in becoming a library volunteer is included in this invitation. Also, the Mountains Branch Library is accepting memorial donations in memory of loved ones.

Rutherford County Board of Commissioners meet the 1st Monday of each month. Meeting schedules and agendas are posted on the website at www.rutherfordgov.org.

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The Official Government Site of the Town of Lake Lure.

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

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