THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE

1927-2002

75 YEARS OF PROGRESS

 Mayor: Jim Proctor

Commissioners: Blaine Cox, Lea Hullender, Dick McCallum, George Pressley,

Town Manager: H.M. “Chuck” Place

 SEPTEMBER  2002

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

Newsletter Editor & Coordinator: Monica Stofer

Telephone: (828) 625-9983                                                Fax:      (828) 625-8371

Website:     www.ci.lake-lure.nc.us                                     E-mail:  lakeluretown@blueridge.net

 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

by Jim Proctor

Diamond Jubilee

          The Summer Street Dances were a great success!  Thanks to all the folks that helped.  It’s rare to see so many smiling faces in one place.  The next Diamond Jubilee events will be the Costume Party at the Lake Lure Inn (625-2525) on October 26th and the Diamond Jubilee Centennial Ball on November 9th.  For tickets to the Ball call the town hall (625-9983)

 Ride for Kids

          On August 25^th the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (PBTFUS) once again hosted the Asheville Ride for Kids®. As noted in the  last newsletter, The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. funds medical research grants and clinical fellowships to help find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors.  This year more than 450 riders raised more than $96,000!! 

          I would like to personally thank the following folks for there support in this event: The Lake Lure Police Department (donations and motorcycle support), Russell and Lynn Pitts, Dick and Joan McCallum, MaLarkie’s, McGill Associates, anonymous, Mountain Bank, Jen and Bill Vitti, The Cajon Pig, Bo and Carolyn Proctor, First Charter Bank, Jim and Lea Hullender, Black Dome Mountain Sports, Edith and David Bond, Jervis Arledge, Geneva Riverside, the Dam Marina, Margaritagrill, S. D. Humphries, Alan Bowen, Bill & Nancy McNary, Eakett Bookkeeping, Rhonda and Heath Cook, Jackie Toole, Jim & Carol Boxerman, Subway, Chuck and Joselyn Watkins, Stephanie Skipper, Chimney Sweeps, Bubbas, The Lake Lure Dish Barn, Mary and Steve Gale, Rocking Leprechaun Ice Cream Shop, LakesEdge Realty, and Pleasure Excursions.

          For more information about the  PBTFUS, call (800)253-6530 or visit: www.pbtfus.org.

 

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

by H.M. “Chuck” Place III, AICP

 The Drought

         It  comes as no surprise that we are sadly lacking in rainfall.  This is now affecting the level of the lake and our ability to generate electricity.  Utilities Director William Grimes estimates that the lake level was down over eight inches at one point in August.  This is hardly worth mentioning when you consider the lakes in the region that are down 5', 10' and up to 20' below normal, but those are lakes that are drawn down to supply water to power plants and municipal water systems.  In our case, the lowered level is caused by a lessening of water from the Rocky Broad River and other streams and from evaporation.  Essentially, evaporation is taking water from the lake at a faster rate than the source streams can replenish it. William is allowing a small amount of water run through the plant, but has not run the generators since the beginning of August. The amount running through approximates the flow that normally exists when the plant is not running and is needed to maintain a minimal flow past the sewer plant.  While there has been some rain in recent weeks, it is nowhere near normal and we still have a severe shortfall.

         The lower lake level impacted the Water Park at the beach.  Last month the bumper boats were closed for one weekend due to insufficient water in the “corral” and the water slide was closed for several days because the lake level was below the bottom of the slide  In addition, some boat owners have had problems with the water level in and around boat houses and docks.     

         So far, there is no measurable impact on the level of water in the town wells or reservoirs, however Water Division Supervisor Mark Pobanz reports a greater usage than normal for this time of year (and this is the peak period for usage).  Therefore, everyone should be encouraged to restrict their use of water as much as possible.  We are not ready for mandatory conservation measures yet, but common sense tells us that voluntary conservation will help extend the life of our water sources.  This is particularly important for those having individual wells as their water source. For good suggestions on water saving measures, see Public Works Director Tony Hennessee’s article in this issue.

         According to Fire Coordinator Ron Morgan, the dry weather conditions increase the chance of wild fires, but not drastically so.  There is still a lot of moisture in the deep vegetation.  If the conditions do not improve before the fall which is the normal high hazard fire season, there will be a serious danger of major fires.  Again, no radical measures are needed at this time, but that could change.  Common sense rules here also.

 Congratulations to Anita Taylor

          I’m pleased to announce that Customer Services Supervisor/Deputy Clerk Anita Taylor has been awarded the coveted title of Master Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks!  As North Carolina’s latest recipient, she joins Mary Flack, who was the first MMC in this state and the fifth overall to receive this award by the IIMC.  This honor is rare among municipalities and it is particularly rare for any community to have two MMC’s, especially one as small as Lake Lure.  In fact, there are only 11 other MMC’s in the entire state and 220 world wide.

         The Master Municipal Clerk Academy was established to further professional education and to enhance the performance of today’s Municipal Clerk.  All Academy members must demonstrate that they have actively pursued educational and professional activities and have remained informed of current events in local government.  Academy  points are earned through the completion of IIMC-recognized Academy Programs, attendance at professional seminars and workshops, teaching or writing in the profession, participating in professional meetings and conferences, and being recognized for unusual accomplishments.

 

 

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC

          REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

   Under the “consent agenda,” Council:

 * approved the minutes of July 13, 2002 (regular meeting); and

 * approved request from Stanley Long to hold the annual F-100 Truck Show “Run to Rock” on town property adjacent to the Lake Lure Community Center on September 20-22, 2002; town will provide a Mayor’s choice trophy; and suspend the town’s peddling ordinance in order that food, T-Shirts, truck parts, and other items may be sold on site during the show.

   In other activities, Town Council:

 * tabled the adoption of Resolution No. 02-08-13 designating Fiscal Year 2002-2003 as “Lake Lure Recycles” a year for all citizens to maximize recycling, presented by M. B. Hugging, Jr., representative of the Rutherford County Sweep, for further review and will be reconsidered at the next Town Council meeting September 17, 2002;

 * reviewed recommendations from the Lake Advisory Committee regarding non-motorized boat permits and lake issues;

 *agreed to consider at the next Town Council meeting a proposal by Town Manager Place to test all populated coves more frequently during the summer and every three months for the rest of the year, sampling for bacteria and fecal coliform to insure a safe swimming environment;

 * agreed to delay the adoption of a fee structure for non-motorized boat permits until next year when all boat permit fees are being set;

 * agreed to schedule a joint workshop meeting with the Lake Advisory Committee and Police Chief to address lake enforcement issues and recommendations;

 *heard from Nick Stover, Regional Manager, requesting permission to close the Northland Cable Television office in Lake Lure; Council authorized having the town’s cable tv consultant David Harris review and revise the cable franchise agreement between the town and Northland Cable Television accordingly and Mr. Stover agreed to pay the consultant fee for this review;

 * authorized the town manager to have certain town property adjacent to the Lake Lure Golf Course surveyed and appraised; approved $1,000 from the contingency fund for the survey and appraisal;

 * approved a request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club to: suspend the town peddling ordinance on October 19-20, 2002 for Oktoberfest; use of town property surrounding the Lake Lure Arcade Building including property along Pool Creek for selling crafts and food; fund raising, and music for this event; and close a portion of town street temporarily during Oktoberfest, contingent upon vendors not leaving their vehicles and trailers parked in the closed portion of the street;

 * amended the Town Council meeting schedule changing the date of the next meeting from Tuesday, September 10, 2002  to Tuesday, September 17, 2002, 7:00 p.m., due to a conflict with the Rutherford County Board of Elections holding a primary election in the Community Hall on that same day;

 * recognized Deputy Town Clerk Anita Taylor who recently became the 11th municipal clerk in the State of  North Carolina and the 220^th IIMC (International Institute of Municipal Clerks) member to achieve the Master Municipal Clerk designation.  Town Clerk Mary A. Flack was also recognized for becoming the 1st municipal clerk in the State of North Carolina and the 5th (International Institute of Municipal Clerks) member to achieve the Master Municipal Clerk designation.

TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

by Betty Hinson, Personnel Director

          Employee of the month Christopher Shute, manager of the Lake Lure Golf Course, has been with the Town of Lake Lure since August of 2000.  Prior to employment with Lake Lure, Chris worked with the Cleghorn Club and Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort.  Prior to employment in North Carolina, Chris was also employed with golf courses in the states of Ohio and Tennessee.  Chris is a graduate of Bluffton High School in Bluffton, Ohio and the Agriculture of Technical Institute of Worster, Ohio where he studied Landscape Technology.

         When you ride by our town golf course it is obvious that the condition of the course has greatly improved under Chris’ leadership.

         Chris, we say thank you for all your hard work.

                                    

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

by Chief Mike Bustle