February 2003

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

by H.M. “Chuck” Place III, AICP

Winter Weather Woes

The winter storm that hit us the middle of January dumped between 3 and 4 inches of snow on our area. This caused hazardous driving conditions for several days and a lot of our citizens were very upset that they could not get up and down our steep, twisty roads.

We did get out and plow and/or sand all town roads as soon as we could, but there were roads that took a while to take care of due to the number of miles for which we are responsible and our limited equipment and manpower. Keep in mind that the NCDOT has an entire fleet of vehicles and crews to handle road clearing and it still takes several days to reach all state roads. We have two vehicles and crews to cover 23 miles of town roads. Even so, we usually can clear all town roads within one day after the snow stops.

We do have a checklist for winter storms adopted as part of our Emergency Operation Plan. The part relating to Public Works reads:

T Make arrangements for 24 hour coverage (recommended 12 hour shifts) and be prepared to begin when storm begins;

T Ensure equipment and personnel are prepared to assist in tree removal and road clearing for emergency access;

T Maintain time records, equipment hours and material used for disaster declaration.

If you have questions regarding our emergency operations policies, please call me.

I know that sometimes you must think that we are the dumbest local government ever. But just read about Nassau County in New York State. The following was excerpted from Otis White’s “Urban Notebook” column in the Governing magazine, Jan. 16, 2003. I’m not sure if it makes me feel better or worse!

What is the dumbest local government in America? Hard to say, but at least until recently New York City’s affluent suburb of Nassau County would have to have been a contender. How dumb was Nassau County’s government? So dumb that it bought 1,200 computers a few years ago as backups for the Y2K problem, then left them in boxes for three years as employees begged for upgrades. So dumb that it paid for nearly 1,400 telephone lines that weren’t used; most weren’t even hooked up to phones. So dumb that it issued cars to eight employees who didn’t have driver’s licenses. And more: Its records were in such disarray, it didn’t know how many employees it had or how much property it owned. Its police department patrolled one upscale town under a contract, but the county never collected its $450,000-a-year fee. It even had its nights and days mixed up: Cops were paid a “night differential” for work after dark. Problem was, it kicked in at 11 a.m. The new county attorney was horrified by the chaos in her department. “I don’t know if it’s the funniest or saddest thing,” she said, “but we found a local statute which had been repealed — then two years later was amended.” Thankfully, there’s a new administration in Nassau County (says the new county executive: “It was far worse than I ever imagined”). But it could take a while to straighten out a government this dumb. Take, for instance, the elevator at the county executive’s building. When you took it to the ground floor, it told you that you were at the seventh floor. Not just wrong, but dumb: the building has only five floors.

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

* approved the minutes of December 10, 2002 (regular meeting and closed session);

* approved request from Karen M. Pace 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 May 17, 2003, from 9:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.;

* approved budget amendment transferring $900 from the contingency fund to the fire department contract services account line item for mapping service with Highland Mapping;

* approved budget amendments by increasing the ABC distribution funds account line item by $2,500 and increasing the public works department account line item by $2,500 for repainting of the Lake Lure ABC Store building; and

* approved budget amendments by increasing the sale of assets account line item by $5,500 and increasing the police department supplies account line item by $5,500 for computer equipment, software, and training expenses for a two-day computer class offered at the North Carolina Justice Academy in Edneyville.

* adopted Ordinance No. 03-01-14 regarding a request from Ed Younger for voluntary annexation;

* adopted Ordinance No. 03-01-14A amending the Town of Lake Lure zoning ordinance and map for initial zoning of Ed Younger’s property to be zoned R-3 (Resort Residential District);

* removed from the agenda item to consider renewal of the contract with Southern Soil Builders, Inc. for sludge removal project until the next regular town council meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2003;

* Witnessed Town Manager Chuck Place present a humanitarian award to Customer Service Clerk Linda Ward along with a $200 bonus check;

* approved a budget amendment allocating $1,750 for consultant services to draft an interlocal agreement with Chimney Rock Village; and

* amended the Town of Lake Lure pay and classification plan/personnel policy prepared by the North Carolina League of Municipalities adopted on January 14, 2002, by adding a section for hearing conservation program as presented by Town Manager Chuck Place and Safety Officer Ron Morgan;

Employee of the month Robert Owens has been with the Town of Lake Lure since September 13, 2002.

Prior to his employment with Lake Lure, Robert worked with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department in the position of Reserve Officer and with the Rutherford County Hospital.

Robert completed his Basic Law Enforcement Training at Western Piedmont Community College and is currently enrolled in a Spanish Speaking Class for Police Officers.

Robert and his family reside in Rutherfordton where his wife Shelley is employed with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department.

We are very fortunate to have Robert with our Police Department and say thank you for your hard work.

Recently we have experienced several break-ins of area businesses and temporary residences. Please help by watching for unusual persons and occurrences in these areas, and report these to your community police officers to investigate! With everyone participating, we can make a difference!

As world current events tend to progress toward war, it is increasingly important to realize “vigilance is the price of freedom.” Today, Americans are more aware than ever of the terrorist threat right here on our home soil. The forces for security in our country have been put on a high level of alert and readiness. Public safety and law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, local and state police departments, county sheriff’s offices, the DEA and the U. S. Customs agency are all on guard against further attempts of terrorist attack. But, we cannot do it alone. We need your help. Be Alert! Remember, you are the eyes and ears. Be alert and report what you observe! Alert and responsible American citizens on the front line ready to report are our best homeland defense!

A quick, accurate description of events, vehicles, and persons can make all the difference in catching a potential criminal or terrorist. Any type of activity or circumstances that seems unusual should be reported immediately and directly to authorities. Some examples are:

A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly.

• Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or an unoccupied residence.

• Someone tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems without an identifiable company and uniform.

Free gunlocks are still available at the police department or from your local community police officer.

Boat permits for the 2003 season have arrived. However, the stickers have not arrived as of the writing of this article but are anticipated to be in the office no later than January 31st.

There were a few changes which took place this year. Annual motorized boat permits for Lake Lure property owners and residents increased from $55.00 to $75.00. Please note, as always, in order to purchase a boat permit you must present your current state registration card and your boat must qualify by not exceeding our length restrictions which are not more than 20 feet 11 inches for a pleasure boat and not more than 28 feet for a pontoon boat. These type permits must be purchased at the Lake Lure Municipal Center Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or by mail. In order to obtain a permit by mail you must call and request an application which can either be mailed or faxed. As soon as we receive the signed application with a copy of the state registration card along with the check for payment we will send the permit. There is an extra $2.00 fee charged for each permit that is mailed.

Annual boat permits for non-property owners and non-residents of Lake Lure remained the same at $440.00. However, a new type annual permit for motorized fishing boats was approved. In order to obtain this permit the boat motor is restricted to 50 hp or less and can only be used from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. during peak period and anytime in non-peak period. This type permit is used for fishing only and no water sports such as skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, etc. will be allowed.

We had several persons inquire about a weekly non-motorized boat permit and this type permit will be offered at all times this season at a cost of $11.00 per week rather than just non-peak season. The annual permit for non-motorized boats is $22.00 for property owners and residents as well as non-property owners and non-residents of Lake Lure.

Daily boat permits remained the same at $55.00 during peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) and $28.00 during non peak season. Weekly boat permits remained the same at $165.00 per week during peak season and $83.00 during non-peak season. Fairfield Mountain time-share owners are still offered the weekly time-share boat permits during their week or weeks owned but the cost has increased from $55.00 to $75.00.

BRRrrrrr! It’s cold. Unlike last year (the winter that wasn’t ) this winter has been too cold to play for most folks. We have seen a significant decrease in play when compared with last year. December, however, turned out to be the second highest on record even with the cold temperatures, rain and snow. Last winter will be hard to beat. Other than the weather, we think another reason contributes to the slow down play. For quite some time we have been witnessing the closure of a variety of manufacturing plants and businesses in the immediate area. Some of the late afternoon players that we used to see from the manufacturing sector are not coming around now. We also haven’t been seeing much in the way of tourist business. The nation as a whole has been slowed down. These are factors that we are taking into consideration for pricing in the upcoming season. Even though we already have the lowest prices in the area for memberships, we are going to hold the line on any price increase. We know some of the area courses have increased their already higher membership fees; not us. Here at Lake Lure Golf Course the membership prices will remain the same as last year. The same goes for green fees and cart fees. We are going to maintain the March through November seasonal prices at the same level as last year, and, consequently, the year before that. We are doing this as well as continuing to make improvements.

Speaking of improvements, we got limed. Yep, for the first time in, none of us knows how long, we had lime spread over the entire course. That should get things greening up for the new season. Another improvement is new windows and door in the pro shop. We had them installed the 21^st of January and that’s a big deal to those of us who work here. No longer will the wind blow the door open without invitation. Speaking of invitations, we invite all sweethearts to take advantage of our Valentine’s Day Special: For any player paying our regular winter rate for cart fee and green fee, their sweetheart gets to play for half price!

In conclusion, we still have winter rates in effect. Y’all come on out and take advantage of the cheap golf; and, as always, FAIRWAYS AND GREENS!

The United States Coast Guard’s has announced that the new federal life jacket rule will go into effect December 23, 2002. In support of the ongoing efforts of the states and Coast Guard to improve boating safety, the Coast Guard is requiring that all children under 13 years of age wear Coast Guard approved life jackets (also known as “PFD’s” or personal flotation devices), while aboard recreational vessels underway, except when the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.

Penalties for a boat operator who fails to have all children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket are similar to those for failing to have life jackets on board. Penalties may be assessed up to a maximum of $1,100 for each violation. The Lake Lure Police Department lake patrol will enforce this federal regulation.

In a telephone conversation with NC Wildlife Resources Commission enforcement personnel in Raleigh, I requested clarification of the term “underway” and asked what proof of age would be required. They stated that if a vessel is NOT underway it is either anchored or moored. No proof of age will be required.

For parents and grandparents of children under the age of 13, I would suggest stocking up on the type 3 PFD’s (ski vests) which are far more comfortable that the type 2 or “May West” style PFD’s. Ear plugs for the adults may be helpful to combat the complaints of discomfort.

Lake Lure would like to welcome a new business to our town, The Lake Lure Spa & Retreat. Neal and Wilma Carver are the owners. The spa is open six days a week and Sundays by appointment only. They welcome everyone to come in and see the new facility located at Willowbrook Properties, but especially look forward to meeting the local community and explaining their services. For more information, give them a call at 828-625-4642.

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.

Lake Lure Beach and Water Works is closed for the season and will reopen the second weekend in May.

International Outreach Task Force has started a community-wide group, which comes together on a monthly basis to discuss and try to meet the needs (i.e. providing cash assistance, transportation, home repair assistance, food and clothing assistance etc.) in our community. We are only in our formative stage and welcome everyone’s input. This group consists of local churches, local businesses, and individuals who are interested in helping others. We meet for an hour and everyone brings a bag lunch. Our next meeting will be held at the Gerton Community Center, Gerton NC. If you are interested in joining this group and want to attend this meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 from Noon-1 p.m., please contact Mary Ann Ransom at 625-8338 or email: maryann@wehostnc.com.

Gorge Fitness is now open in the Arcade Building. They still offer the same 24 hour key card access and the same world class equipment. But this time they have made it simple with no long-term contract to sign and no confusing pricing. For more information, please contact Michael Griffin at 828-625-1373.

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 March issue is February 19, 2003.

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