Town of Lake Lure, 

North Carolina
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MAYOR’S COMMENTS

by Jim Proctor

 Lake Lure Marine Commission

         I am happy to report that on July 20th Governor Easley sign into law Senate Bill 89.  This Bill was recommended by our attorneys and submitted to the North Carolina General Assembly by Senator Walter Dalton.  The new statute (GS 77-80 to 77-89) allows the Lake Lure Town Council to create a Lake Lure Marine Commission.  The town council will, at a date to be determined, call for a public hearing to discuss this commission.  The Marine Commission will clear up many questions about the regulatory authority the town has in regard to the lake.  It will also clarify the town’s right charge a fee for issuance of boat permits.  The members of the commission will be the town council with the mayor as the presiding officer.

         The full text of the new statute can be seen  at the following website: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/

html2003/bills/AllVersions/Senate/S89vc.html

 The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation – Ride for Kids

         On August 24th the Ride For Kids will once again come to Lake Lure.  The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation funds medical research grants to help find the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors. The Ride for Kids program started in 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia and celebrates  its 20th anniversary season this year. In 2003, there are 26 rides across the country, helping to make the PBTF the largest source of non-governmental funding for pediatric brain tumor research in the world.  The PBTF also offers family support programs for families with a child who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Last year more than 450 motorcycle riders raised more than $96,000!!             If  you would  like to donate this year please call me at (828) 625-8846 or mail a check made out to "PBTFUS" to PO Box 384, Lake Lure, NC 28746.  You may also leave donations at the Lake Lure Town Hall.  Their website is: http://ride4kids.org/

 

 

 

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

by H.M. “Chuck” Place III, AICP

         Sewers and Sidewalks

         We have finally put to rest one major project and are about to embark on two others very shortly. 

         Sewer Lift Station.  After more than three years, the grant-funded sewer lift station below the dam is finished and the final payment has been made to the contractor.  The actual installation was completed over a year ago, but questions about the warranty of the new pumps and a “punch list” of details to complete were finally resolved in the past month. 

         For those not aware of the background of this project, in 1996 there was a catastrophic flood in the gorge that, among other things, overflowed the top of the dam and destroyed the sewer lift station at the base of the dam.  This station took the sewer effluent that flows through the mains under the lake and pumped it up to the level of the sewer plant further down river.  We put the station back into service on a temporary basis and applied for a grant from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to replace it with a new station up out of the flood plane and away from the dam.  The new lift station has three pumps that work in rotation and in combination, depending on the amount of effluent to be pumped.

         Solids Removal System.  In 2000, U.S. Representative Charles Taylor was successful in winning an appropriation earmarked for utilities improvements in this district.  A part of that appropriation included a grant of $305,000 for repairs and improvements to our sewer plant.  We will provide a 51.2% local match of $320,200 so the total project will amount to $625,200.  We also applied for a $75,000 utilities grant from Rutherford County to go towards our match.  This application was recently approved, reducing the amount Lake Lure will have to contribute to $245,200.

         In brief, our waste water treatment consists of separating waste water into its liquid and solid components, treating the liquid to the point that it is clean enough to place in the river, and disposing of the solids through the services of an independent contractor.  Over the years, our solids removal system at the sewer plant has become inefficient and subject to breakdowns. These grants will pay for replacement and upgrading of this system.   The upgrade will start as soon as the final agreement is signed between the town and the federal EPA.

         Pedestrian Walkway.   As I reported back in March, our application for enhancement funds under the TEA-21 (Transportation Equity act for the 21st Century) program for the “Lake Lure Town Center Walkway - Phase I” was approved by the NC Board of Transportation.  This grant will amount to $94,801 in federal funds.

         The Town Center Walkway is a pedestrian pathway that will eventually run from the Chimney Rock village limits (where it will connect with the village’s River Walk project) through the Lake Lure town center to the Post Office.  Phase I runs from Boys Camp Road to the ABC store.  We will submit another application this coming year for Phase II from the end of Phase I to the post office.

         The Phase I pathway will consist of a combination of asphalt and concrete sections and will run along Memorial Highway to the boardwalk, then along the lake on the boardwalk to the Lake Lure beach house and then on to the ABC store as an asphalt path along the fence being constructed by Lake Lure Tours.  There will be several crossings of the highway which will be done in embossed asphalt having the appearance of terra cotta paving stones.  Included in the project will be landscaping and several drinking fountains and benches.  Construction should commence this fall.

 

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC

          REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

   Under the “consent agenda,” Council:

* approved the minutes of June 10, 2003 (regular meeting), June 19, 2003 (special meeting), June 24, 2003 (special meeting), and June 27, 2003 (special meeting);

* approved a request from Charles Bowen and Anne Stepp to suspend the town alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer and wine during a wedding reception inside the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on July 26, 2003;

* approved a request from David C. Wheeler, Jr. and Amber Buckner to suspend the town alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer, wine, and champagne during a wedding reception  inside the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on September 6, 2003, from 3:00 p.m. until  9:00 p.m.; and

* approved a request from Camp Care (camp for children with cancer) to waive the fees for three motorized boat permits from June 16-21, 2003.

  In other activities, Town Council:

* held a public hearing to consider amendments as recommended by the Lake Advisory Committee of Lake Lure, to Chapter 85, Section 85.53: Regulations Regarding Operation of Boats of the Town of Lake Lure’s Code of Ordinances by inserting additional subsections (H) and (I) [85.53 (H) and (I)] which read as follows:

 

(H)              No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either-

(1) Wearing an appropriate Personal Flotation Device (PFD) approved by the Coast Guard; or

                        (2)Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.


 (I)                 Commercial vessels are exempt from Subsection H above, except that rental of a vessel for private recreational use shall constitute a recreational vessel for purposes of Subsection H above;

*  adopted Ordinance No. 03-07-08 amending Chapter 85, Section 85.53: Regulations Regarding Operations of Boats of the Town of Lake Lure’ Code of Ordinances;

* approved the Capital Improvements Program as presented by the town manager;

* approved a fabric structure permit for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation “Ride for Kids” fund raiser event;

* held a closed session in accordance with G.S. 143-318(a)(6) regarding personnel matters; and

* recessed the regular town council  meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

          RECESSED REGULAR MEETING: A recessed town council meeting was held on Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 9:00 a.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

 Town Council:

* held a closed session meeting in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) to discuss legal matters and attorney client privilege regarding pending litigation between Patricia Hyatt and the Town of Lake Lure and personnel matters in accordance with G.S. 143-318(a)(6); and

* adopted Resolution No. 03-07-16 approving the Rutherford County Solid Waste Plan.

                         

GOODBYE AND WELCOME

by Betty Hinson, Personnel Director

         We said goodbye to Pamela Pyles as she left us on June 24, 2003 to accept a new position with the Natural Resources Conservation Services. Pamela  had been  the Resource Coordinator (director) of the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program since early 2000.  As such, she was responsible for implementing what was originally a two year project to coordinate the natural resource needs  within the Upper Broad River watershed with government programs designed to meet those needs.  The outcome of the project has been a significant reduction in the amount of non-point source pollutants (principally silt) entering the Upper Broad River and ultimately Lake Lure. She was also successful in obtaining grant funding to continue the program for an additional two years. We wish the very best for Pam as she assumes her new responsibilities.

 

         We welcome Clinton “Clint” Calhoun as he comes to replace Pamela.  Clint has been the Park Naturalist at Chimney Rock Park for the past 11 years.  Some of his duties included  environmental education and resource management activities.  Clint graduated from R-S Central in 1992 and  graduated from Gardner Webb in 1995 with a degree in Biology.  Clint  will be a real asset to the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program, and we welcome him to town hall.

                         

 

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

by Chief Mike Bustle

                  The Federal Trade Commission recently announced a crackdown on a growing form of Internet fraud which facilitates identity theft.  Recent criminal cases have targeted “plishing,” a pernicious scam that marries e-mail spam with identity theft.  The term is used by computer thieves who go fishing for personal information.  The FTC said it received 161,886 complaints last year, and is on track to record more than 200,000 this year.  A business research group, Garter Inc., released a survey recently that showed the problem might be far bigger than the FTC numbers suggest.

         The Garter Survey estimated that 7 million U. S. adults were victims of identity theft in the year ending last month, a 79 percent increase over the previous year.  Most identity theft still occurs in the off-line world.  But at a news conference recently, Internet service provider Earthlink Inc., the FTC, the FBI and the National Consumers League warned that plishing is a dangerous new trend. 

         The scam artists send fraudulent e-mails to unsuspecting customers of service providers or retailers with whom consumers regularly do business. The e-mails are doctored to look like they came from the provider and claim that they need the consumer to verify his or her account information.  Consumers are asked to click on a link that directs them to a “plisher” page, which is designed to mimic the service provider’s site.  The page asks the user to resubmit his or her personal information for the account, sometimes including passwords and Social Security numbers.  The information is captured by the scam artist, who can use it to make purchases, invade bank accounts and otherwise steal someone’s identity.  No reputable company will ask you for that kind of information.

         Please be keenly aware for instances of this new Internet crime and hopefully avoid facilitating a growing type of identity theft. 

         

GOLF COURSE NEWS

by Charlie Greeson, Pro Shop Clerk

      We here at the golf course would like to start this month’s article with a great big THANK YOU! to the Lake Lure Police Department for catching the culprits who damaged the green on #7.  Good work y’all.  Everyone who likes to have a smooth putting surface appreciates the effort.  Anyone who thinks about pulling a similar stunt; think again; Lake Lure’s finest will be on your trail.

      Speaking of trails, a deer cut one through the practice green one Friday afternoon shortly before the Captain’s Choice tournament was about to start.  That did some damage too, but, we were able to repair that easily.  We see deer a lot around here.  They show themselves mostly in the early morning and early evening, so, if you’re driving by here at those times be on the lookout.  They just can’t resist the tempting beautiful grass that Chris grows.  I guess it must taste as good as it looks.

      Since we’re talking about looks, the #3 green might look a little puny for a while.  We had  lightening strike at the wrong place at the wrong time that messed up a pump and some lines.  The green got too dry and burned before we could get water going  again.  Some of the others got stressed also, but, fortunately, not severely enough to be lost.  Chris gets a pat on the back for saving all that he did in the short window of time that he had.  The fairways and greens are both  holding up very  well this year and there have been several positive comments about the course looking as good as any time anyone can ever remember.  Thanks for the nice remarks.  The crew here will continue to strive to maintain those good course conditions in order to earn  more.

      As far as maintaining good course conditions are concerned, we’ve have moderate success with the divot buckets we put on the par 3's.  We would  like to encourage our players to take advantage of these and help us help you have tee boxes that are in good shape.  Another thing we like to encourage players to do is fix your ball marks.  In about 10 or 15 seconds you can help the green start to heal immediately.  If the ball mark is left alone it may take 10 or 15 days to heal.  Other than that, no golfer likes to see a putt go astray because of a ball mark between them and the hole.  Since I’m on my soap box here, I want to make an appeal to those poor souls who manage to make it into the sand bunkers.  Please rake out the tracks from your steps and swings.  We all know it’s bad enough to land there and it’s worse  if we have to contend with an extra depression to struggle out of.  Thanks to everyone for your consideration of others in these matters and all the help we can get in those areas.

      The popular Captain’s Choice tournaments that are regularly held on Friday are still going strong.  We invite everyone to come on out and join in the fun.  There have been  new faces  this year that have become regular players almost every week.  Don’t be shy about coming out to play.  We have players of all skill levels; men and women both.  Aliens are welcome too but so far none have showed up.  Maybe they left their clubs on Romulus IV and just went back to get them.  I’m not sure how long it takes to get from here to there and back again but I’ll look for their return and keep you posted.  You might want to come out and get a look at the unfamiliar creatures.  Bring your sticks and we’ll all have round of fun.      .........I wonder if they have anything that will effectively get rid of ground hogs and chiggers.

       

FIRE DEPARTMENTS AWARDED GRANTS FOR NEW EQUIPMENT

by Ron Morgan, Fire Coordinator 

      The Chimney Rock and Bill’s Creek Fire Departments received grant awards recently to purchase new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.  A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus is the device firefighters wear on their back when going into a hazardous atmosphere that allows them to breathe air stored in a tank placed on their back.

      The grants are from the Department of Homeland Security and funded through the FIREACT.  The two grants total $90,000 and will replace all their existing breathing apparatus.  This equipment is much needed, as most of our breathing apparatus is over 10 years old.

      As most of you know by now the Town of Lake Lure contracts with Bill’s Creek, Chimney Rock, and Fairfield Mountains Fire Departments for fire protection and we are still waiting to hear from Fairfield’s grant request.

 

SCORE

by Connie M. Butler

      The Hendersonville Score (Service Core of  Retired Executives) Chapter has started a  branch operation in Rutherfordton and are seeking retired or active business people to serve as counselors to small business in Rutherford and Polk Counties.  The base of operations is the Chamber of Commerce in Rutherfordton and is open on an “as needed” basis.

      Score has over 250 Chapters and 12,500 counselors in the USA assisting small business people with business related problems.  The Hendersonville Score Chapter 242 services all North Carolina Counties that abut South Carolina from Rutherfordton westward to Cherokee County.

      Those who may have an interest in becoming a Score Volunteer Counselor should contact Connie M. Butler at 828-287-3090 or 828-693-8702.

 

                                   

KIWANIS CLUB ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS

by Paula Jordan

       The Kiwanis Club of Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation announces three recipients of scholarships for the Fall 2003 semester.  They are Reverend Kenneth Hay of Bill’s Creek Rd, who is attending the Fruitland Institute; Miss Heather Young of Liberty Hill Church Rd., who has been accepted at Gardner Webb University; and Miss Thelma Barnwell of Bat Cave who has been accepted at North Greenville College.  Each student will receive a scholarship for $500.00.

      The Foundation has recently been approved as a tax exempt foundation under provision 501(C)3 of Federal Tax Code.

      Students  interested in applying for a scholarship for the Spring 2004 semester, may write to Kiwanis Club Foundation at P.O. Box 683, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

 

NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

            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 Hugh or Nancy Pinney at 828-625-0867.

            Garden Club - Don't forget to sign up for the August trip to  Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, NC (near Gastonia). Daniel  Stowe Botanical Garden is a world class botanical garden, encompassing  more than 110 acres of  lush, manicured grounds. Please register by calling either Jean Hoffman at 828-625-1631 or Joanne Phillips at 828-625-8498.  The date is August 4, 2003 and we will leave Lake Lure area (place to be determined) around 9:30a.m.  The trip will cost $8.00, plus a fee for optional guided tour.

       The Women of the Church of Fairfield Mountains Chapel are sponsoring a fashion show-luncheon. It will be held at Lakeview Restaurant on Wednesday, September 3rd promptly at 11:30 a.m.  This show is to help raise money for local area  mission work. There will be door prizes and entertainment to enjoy.  The tickets are $25.00 and advance tickets are a must. Fall, winter and holiday fashions will be presented by Fashion 200 of Tryon NC. For more information and to order your tickets please contact Lea Hullender at 828-625-1995 and if no answer please call the church at 828-625-2411.  Get together with friends for lots of fun while supporting a worthy cause.

       Fairfield Mts. Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is having their annual rummage sale/auction on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon.  The auction starts at 10:00 a.m.  If  you would like to donate any items, please call Gary Wilson or any security staff at 828-625-4410 for pick up arrangements. For more information about  the things you can bring and where to drop off, please call Jeannette Morgan at 828-625-8985.

 

      The Lake Lure Youth Center will be open starting August 11th from 3:30 p.m. till 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  You can contact the youth center at 828-625-5220.

                                   

NOTICE

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

 

The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the September issue is August 20, 2003.

 

 

 

 
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