Town of Lake Lure,
North
Carolina
Town of Lake Lure, North
Carolina
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MAYOR’S
COMMENTS by Jim Proctor
The
Lake Lure Marine Commission
After a public hearing the ordinance creating the Lake Lure Marine
Commission was passed unanimously on September 9th. This is a solution to potential problems the Town of Lake
Lure faced.
When the town bought the lake in the 1960’s, the police and regulatory
powers of the town seemed simple and clear.
In the last 40 years the town’s authority in regard to regulating the
lake has been muddied by state statutes, administrative code and court rulings.
Our attorney, Chris Callahan, and several other attorneys agreed that the
situation could be cleared only by legislation.
They went on to inform us
that marine commissions had been the solution for other lakes and were indeed
the best way to proceed.
I asked Chris to look at the other marine commission statutes in North
Carolina and to create one suitable to submit to Senator Dalton.
As an attorney Senator Dalton could easily see what we needed and he
submitted NC Senate Bill 89. With
only a few changes the approved Lake Lure Marine Commission is the same as what
we submitted to Senator Dalton.
The Lake Lure Marine Commission allows The Town of Lake Lure to continue
to regulate the lake as it has done in the past.
It does not allow the town to deny access to anyone or in any way
“privatize” the lake. Further
the town cannot supersede any state
law or wildlife regulation. Ride
For Kids
On August 24th 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 650 riders raised more
than $96,000!!
I would like to personally thank the following folks for their support in
this event: The Lake Lure Police Department (motorcycle support), Russell and
Lynn Pitts, Dick and Joan McCallum, McGill Associates, Bob Muller, George
Pressley, MaLarkie’s, anonymous, The Cajun Pig, Jim and Lea Hullender, Blaine
Cox, Lake Lure Dish Barn, Margaritagrill, Rocque Waits, Geneva Riverside, Eakett
Bookkeeping, Faye Bishop, Rhonda and
Heath Cook, Bill & Nancy McNary, Jackie Toole, Mary
and Steve Gale, Bubbas, Bill and Rae Frykberg, Michael Bryant, Peggy
Dyer.
For more information about the PBTFUS,
call (800) 253- 6530 o r visit:
www.pbtfus.org. TOWN
MANAGER’S REPORT by
H.M. “Chuck” Place III,
AICP Isabel
Aftermath.
We were lucky once again to be spared the wrath of hurricane Isabel.
There was hardly a drizzle of rain and very little wind here in our
peaceful valley. Those of you who
have experienced huge storms like this know full well what happens when the
power is knocked out for a week or more, the roads are impassable and homes and
businesses are destroyed. Just look at the devastating
floods that occurred here in 1996 in the wake of two hurricanes and they
didn’t even hit here!
If you would like to help the victims of Isabel, here is a reprint of the
governor’s call for assistance. GOV.
EASLEY CALLS FOR DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR ISABEL VICTIMS RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has asked people to donate items and volunteer to
assist in the recovery effort from Hurricane Isabel. People in eastern North
Carolina affected by the hurricane are in need of these donated items: canned
foods; dry beverages (coffee, tea, powdered fruit drinks); cleaning supplies
(mops, brooms, disinfectant); baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula); personal
care items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, soap); paper goods;
and bottled water. At this time,
donated clothes are not needed and will not be accepted.
The receiving site for donated goods was acquired through America’s
Second Harvest Food Bank and is being donated by Regional Storage and
Transportation Inc. in Greenville. To coordinate a donation, please call the
N.C. Emergency Information Hotline at 1-888-835-9966.
There is also a need for volunteers to assist in the recovery effort.
Those people who would like to register to volunteer with an organization, to
receive information about specific donations or to obtain delivery directions
should call the N.C. Emergency Information Hotline at 1-888-835-9966. Employees
Who Care.
I happened to stop into the public works barn on a rainy day last week
and found Water Division Supervisor Mark Pobanz waxing his town owned work
truck. Now I’ve seen employees in
other areas washing their work vehicles on occasion, but waxing?
When I asked what brought this
on, Mark said he figured that if he didn’t take good care of it, he might not
get another. It got me thinking
again about the qualities in Mark and his fellow employees in public works - and
in utilities, the police department, the golf course, the fire
department, and administration for that matter
- that cause them to go the extra mile when it comes to their jobs.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating often - we have the best
folks I’ve ever worked with. They
are hard working, conscientious people that care about the town and the job they
do and they deserve all of our thanks.
TOWN
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES by
Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC
REGULAR MEETING: The
regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, September 9, 2003, 7:00 p.m.,
at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.
Under the “consent agenda,” Council: *
approved the minutes of September 12, 2003 (regular meeting); *
approved a budget amendment of $7,000.00 regarding the Fire Department Building
as submitted by the finance director; *
adopted Resolution No. 03-09-09 (personnel policy regarding the North Carolina
House Bill 273 requiring municipalities to enact a policy specific to adverse
reactions to small pox vaccinations); and *
approved a request from the Hickory
Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club to: (1) suspend the town’s peddling ordinance on
October18-19, 2003 for “Oktoberfest”; (2) close a portion of town street
temporarily during this event (contingent upon vendors not leaving their
vehicles and trailers parked in the closed portion of the street); and (3) use
of town property surrounding the Lake Lure arcade building including property
along Pool Creek for selling crafts and food, fund raising, and music during
this event.
In other activities, Town Council: *
held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 03-09-09 amending Title II,
Chapter 23, of the Code of Ordinances to establish a Lake Lure Marine
Commission; *
was introduced to new Erosion Control Specialist Clint Calhoun who showed a
video presentation about the watershed protection program narrated by Bob
Caldwell of Channel 13; *
adopted Resolution No. 030909A allocating $4,494 for the town’s share of a
$40,000 grant to update the Section 201 Facilities Plant (wastewater master
plan),authorized the town manager to submit this application and amended the
town water and sewer budget $4,494; *
amended the town water and sewer budget
$67,575 for the water system design contract with McGill Associates; *
adopted Resolution No. 03-09-09B amending the personnel policy regarding merit
pay for town employees; *
reviewed a request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Recreation Association regarding
the second annual diamonds golf tournament being held at the Lake Lure municipal
golf course; town council denied the request to furnish postage for the mailing
of flyers to the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce members pertaining to
this golf tournament event; *
denied a request from William R. Breen, Jr. to amend the marina boat slip
leasing policy; *
adopted Ordinance No. 03-09-09A (amending Chapter 94 (The Lake Structures
Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances for Town of Lake Lure adding a new
sub-paragraph pertaining to lake structure certificate and tag, and maintenance
of structures); *
removed an item from the agenda to consider a proposed abandonment of
right-of-way regarding a portion of Whitney Avenue; *
appointed Mayor Jim Proctor as voting delegate to represent the town at the
North Carolina Municipal League 2003 annual business meeting (no alternate
voting delegate was appointed); and *
scheduled a workshop meeting with the Lake Lure Marine Commission on Tuesday,
September 30, 2003, 9:00 a.m., at the town meeting room of the Lake Lure
Municipal Center for the purpose of discussing the Lake Lure Marine
Commission’s objectives and procedures pertaining to lake issues; also, to
discuss financing merit pay for town employees.
COMMUNITY
POLICING NEWS by
Chief Mike Bustle
I am saddened to report to you the
theft of a trailer bearing seven all terrain vehicles owned by our neighbor and
local businessman, Tommy Hartzog, owner of Buffalo Gold. The actual larceny was officially reported to the Rutherford
County Sheriff’s Department in that the business is located in the county, and
is being investigated by Detective Fish. As
best determined by several neighbor interviews, the larceny took place during
Friday night or early Saturday, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The trailer was described as a red 24 foot, custom made, drop-ramp, dual
axle, trailer. The all terrain
vehicles were described as: (1) two green 2001 Honda 250 Recon’s; (2) three
red 2001 Honda Recon’s; (3) one red 2002 Honda Recon; and (4) one green 2002
Honda Recon. The serial numbers
have been listed in the nationwide stolen property computer system (N.C.I.C.)
and are on file at the Lake Lure Police Department.
Please take a few moments and consider if you observed anything
suspicious in the area of Buffalo Gold during the time of this theft.
Please report anything you recall to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s
Department, or your community police officer at the Lake Lure Police Department.
Upon reporting, your anonymity will be preserved if requested.
Halloween
Safety Recommendations
The National Confectioners Association and the Chocolate Manufacturers
Association have established the following safety tips to help make this
Halloween a safe and enjoyable one: Costume
Safety *Use
makeup or face paint instead of masks, but if masks are used, make sure that
they fit properly and have holes large enough for mouth and eyes. *Choose
costumes that are marked flame retardant. *Wear
light-colored clothing at night, short enough to prevent tripping.
Add reflective tape or reflectors to dark colored costumes. *Make
props such as magic wands and swords out of cardboard, rather than metal or
wood. Trick-or-Treat
Safety *Give
and accept wrapped or packaged candy only. *Have
children bring treats home for adult inspection before they are eaten. *Accompany
small and elementary school age children when they are trick-or-treating and
send older children in groups. *Go
out in daylight and carry a flashlight in case of delay. *Have
children stay within the neighborhood; visit only homes you know.
GOLF
COURSE NEWS by
Charlie Greeson, Pro Shop Clerk
Fall is here and it’s my favorite time of year.
The thing I like most is the cool morning air. It keeps me from breaking a sweat when I have to walk up the
hill on number 3 after slamming my drive into it instead of making it across the
top. There are other things that
make me happy; such as: The ball eating bush is gone from number 9.
Chris thought that might be one of those aliens I’ve been looking for.
Said the bush was just a disguise. He
lit into it with a chainsaw and well, if it was an alien, its been cut down to
the feet.
More of the continuing upgrading, improvement and beautification of the
course includes some rebuilt flower beds. We’ve
gone so far as to dig them out completely, put down seed barrier, and install
new plants and mulch. Nice.
We may get to be a rival for the resort if we keep going.
If you’ve played lately you may have noticed some new paving and
repaving. Down at the #1 tee the
whole area has been filled in, repaired and repaved.
We also got the island entrance and it looks just like downtown.
There are some pull-offs at the #3, #5, and #9 tees.
We’ve had all those paved and that saves some wear and tear on the
carts. The cart path on #9 from the
ladies tee all the way to the green has been repaved.
That saves some wear and tear on your rib cage since we don’t bump,
bounce and jostle down through there now. The
cart path on #6 has been prepared with some grading and 30 tons of stone put
down for the paving base. The
pavers are down at the coast assisting in the hurricane recovery effort right
now and so that won’t be completed until after their return.
While we were at it, we didn’t forget the parking lot.
We had the front corner paved where we removed some yellow bells and
freed up some space for parking. The
parking lot will also be seal coated completely.
By the way, there may be a day when we close for part of the day or all
day to get that done. If we know
that day ahead of time we will make a posting on our bulletin board here and
downtown to let you know also. Other
than that, you always call for the latest info.
We have some tournaments in October.
First, on Friday the 3rd, we’re having an appreciation
cookout with hot dogs and trimmings for the Captain’s Choice crowd.
The next tournament will be the annual Members Tournament.
It will be held two days; Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday,
October 5th. The initial round will be played on Saturday the 4th
with those scores used for “flighting”.
Players may play their round at any time on Saturday as long as they are
with another member for the attest. The
second round for all players will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday the 5th.
Trophies will be awarded to all 1st place finishers in all 3
flights. Prize money will be
awarded to the top 3 finishers in all three flights.
The amount of prize money will be dependent on the number of players.
The other tournament will be the 2nd Diamonds Classic.
This is a one day Captains Choice 4-person Scramble.
There are a variety of prizes with a chance to win a Harley Davidson.
The cost per team is $200.00 and includes food and beverage.
Proceeds benefit the Hickory Nut Gorge Recreation Association.
Entry blanks are available here at the course or from Tracy Shepard or
Woody Price.
We’ve instituted a new policy here at the course regarding walkers.
Due to the increased play on Saturday and Sunday, players will be able to
walk only after 1:00 p.m. We regret
any inconvenience this causes, but, it’s for the good of all.
There’s no problem with walking at any other time on any other day.
Chris has been doing some more horse-trading.
He swapped an old beat up 950 John Deere tractor a Steiner 4 X 4 diesel
tractor with too may attachments including a stump grinder, a boom mower (for
creek banks), a blower, and a 60 inch rotary deck for those steep inclines.
One last thing to mention is the added sizes of range ball buckets.
We now have small buckets that hold approximately 30 balls for $3.00,
large buckets that hold approximately 90 balls for $6.00, and a tub basket that
holds about 150 balls for $12.00. So,
come on out, use the range and relieve some stress.
UPPER
BROAD RIVER WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM by
Clint Calhoun
I have lived in Rutherford
County all of my life, growing up just a few miles down the road in the Green
Hill Community. I remember the many
Sunday drives that my family would take along the winding roads surrounding Lake
Lure. We would drive through Chimney Rock Village and up to Bat Cave, and one of
the things that was always impressive to me was the Broad River.
I can remember so many times when the water was so clear that you could
see the trout swimming around in the pools.
I can also remember times when the river was so engorged with storm water
and sediment that it looked more like a river of chocolate milk.
The very character of the river is amazing to me.
The river head waters begin on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge
Escarpment, where small springs and creeks give birth to a joyful and exuberant
stream that grows to maturity as it races down
through Hickory Nut Gorge. As
the river drops in elevation, crashing over large boulders that have been shed
by the ancient cliff walls of the gorge, the water becomes increasingly
oxygenated, supporting a wonderful biological diversity.
As the river leaves Hickory Nut Gorge, it stretches out and flows along
at a nonchalant pace, slowing down and living up to its namesake as it rolls on
towards the Atlantic Ocean.
As I travel through the Upper Broad River Watershed, I look at this
impressive body of water and think about the impact we as humans have on our
ecosystem. So caught up in our own
lives, we fail to consider the amount of pressure that we put on this river.
As more and more people come into this area, the pressure continues to
build. Development and
land-clearing activities increase. More
and more trees are cut down to make room for houses, increasing the amount of
runoff and sediment entering the river. Tourists
come here seeking refuge from the city and their everyday routine, taking away
wonderful memories of the area, but leaving behind the very
thing they came here to forget. We
have to have places to live, and we have to use our resources in order to
support a growing population, but we have to be smart about it too.
We have to consider the consequences of our actions.
The actions we take today, affect the very future and sustainability of
this river that so many of us treasure.
The Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program was created for the
sole purpose of protecting soil and water resources in our watershed.
It is designed to provide landowners with technical assistance and advice
that is free and non-regulatory. We
also offer financial incentives for landowners interested in fixing existing
erosion problems. We are also
interested in preserving riparian areas in order to protect water quality. If you would like to know what you can do to help improve
water quality in the Upper Broad River Watershed, please contact me at
(828)625-9983, ext. 123.
LAKE
LURE YOUTH CENTER’S HAPPENINGS by
The Kids At The Lake Lure Youth Center
Attention all kids, tell your parents that you want to come and be part
of all the fun we have here at the youth center.
You can come after school and get homework done and still have time to
play before it’s time to go at 6:30 p.m.
There is a playground, tennis court, basketball court and big fields to
play in. You even get to do other things like have a carwash. We had an awesome
carwash last Saturday the 13th.
We raised over $50.00. We
also have a really great little
football team of our own. They are
really good! Hope to see you at the center! More
info:
We really need volunteers. Moms,
you can have fun too! Our birthdays
for this month are Jodie Karr on the 1st, Austin Myers on the 5th,
Justin Schott on the 11th, Kendal Benson on the 12th, and
Eli Searle on the 17th. Happy
Birthday everyone. Also we have a few babysitters, with experience, so the
parents can have a night to themselves. You can call,
Lauren Benson who is 12, 828-625-9018, Justin Chillington who is 14,
828-625-8829, and Ashley Freeberg who is 18, 828-625-8094.
Just a little bit of history for you:
the youth center was established in 2000 for area children to board
school buses and to gather after school and during the summer months for
supervised activities. This coming
year we hope to do more community service projects such as babysitting, care for
the elderly, car washes and participation in the Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club.
Our objective in this after school program is to provide a safe and
secure environment where children can interact with one another while their
parents are working. KIWANIS
CLUB INSTALLS OFFICERS, DISTRIBUTES FUNDS by
Paula Jordan
Paula Jordan was installed for a second term as president of the Kiwanis
Club of Hickory Nut Gorge during the club's September 4th meeting at the Lake
Lure Inn. Also installed were
president-elect Sharon Theiss, vice-president Chuck Place, treasurer Ken Jordan,
and secretary Linda Hayes. In
addition, the following members will serve on the club's board of directors: Ron Owenby, Marilyn Storm, Pat Cook, Lynn Place, and Riley
Hardy.
The Club also announces distribution of $9,850.00 in support for
community service organizations in the Hickory Nut Gorge.
Additional funds being held in reserve for emergency needs and Fund
Builder Reserves bring total current allocations to $14,550.
Organizations receiving immediate
support include the Foothills Recreation Association, Lake Lure Youth Center,
Mountains Branch Library, nine area volunteer fire and rescue organizations, and
the Hospice organizations of Rutherford, Buncombe, and Henderson counties.
Such efforts as the Trauma Teddies project, Church Christmas Outreach,
and Helping Neighbors are being supported from the reserve funds.
Scholarship funds are being distributed through the newly
organized tax exempt Kiwanis Club of Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation, Inc.
The Club raises funds for these and similar purposes through such
activities as the recent Memorial Days Festival and Parade, the Oktoberfest arts
and crafts festival on October 18th and 19th, and
charitable collections from organization
members and the community at large.
Kiwanis International, which is dedicated to services to children
worldwide, includes more than 8,000
clubs with nearly 300,000 members
in more than 70 nations. This past
year, Kiwanis clubs donated more than $100 million and almost 6 million
volunteer hours for community-service projects. 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.
Second Annual Diamond’s Classic Golf Tournament held on Friday, October 17,
2003 at the Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course.
It’s a one-day, eighteen hole,
four person, mixed captain’s
choice, scramble, with proceeds going to the Foothills Recreation Association.
There will be prizes awarded for best score, longest drive, closest to
the pin, by raffle and for a hole(s) in one. For more information or to be a
golfer in this tournament, call 828-625-4472. You can also get more
information on the web at www.vssll.com, click on Hickory Nut Gorge Icon.
The Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club announces “Oktoberfest 2003”
featuring toe-tapping music, regional arts, crafts and tasty foods. The festival
is Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th from 10
a.m. to 5p.m. at the Lake Lure Arcade grounds across from the beach.
The admission is free. All proceeds from the festival, along with
collections from Kiwanis members and the community at large, are used to support
community service efforts in the Hickory Nut Gorge area which encompasses areas
of Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe counties. For more information, please contact Paula Jordan at
828-625-0969 or Steve Hayes at 828-625-1171.
Mountain Branch Library is
having their annual fundraiser, the Library Potpourri is on Oct 5th
from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be
plenty of entertainment, food and beverage. Also a silent auction will be held.
Come join the fun and support the library at Herrmann International off
Buffalo Creek Rd. For more information, please call the library at 828-625-0456.
Go with the garden club
on their next outing (approx. 50 miles) on October 13th for a truly
unique and enjoyable tour of the Waldensian Heritage Winery in the historically
rich community of Valdese. The guide will be Joel Dalmas, a first generation
American whose family was among the first settlers to come here from the Alpine
valleys in northern Italy in 1893. Wine making was a part of their heritage and
is preserved today reflecting a combined 250 years of experience. For more
information on this exciting trip and how you can be part of this please contact
Saundra Nelson at 828-625-1065 or Martha Ledford at 828-625-9496.
Oktoberfest Celebration
- Come to the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave on the 18th
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy German food, pumpkin pies, root beer, crafts,
and music by the Blarney Pilgrim. There will be pumpkin carving, pumpkin sales,
and raffle tickets. For more
information please call 828-625-9244 or email maryann@wehostnc.com.
The Lake Lure Lions health
clinic will be Saturday, October 18, 2003 at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.
There will be many types of screenings available.
For more information, please contact Martha Ledford at 828-625-9496.
Mammography Screening - Sponsored by Rutherford Hospital and Lake
Lure Lions Club at the Lake Lure Municipal Center on Friday, October 31st
from 9 a.m. to 11a.m. and 1p.m. to
3:30 p.m. For more information and
to register please call, 828-286-5370.
NOTICE For
comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-0077.
Help
Wanted
The Lake Lure Town Council is accepting applications for appointment to
the Board of Adjustment and Lake Structures Appeals Board. Experience is not necessary - interest in the well-being of
your community is!
These two boards are actually made up of the same members and are
responsible for hearing petitions for zoning variances, conditional use permits
and appeals from the strict provisions of the zoning regulations and lake
structures regulations. The boards
currently meet at 4:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. For further information on the workings of these boards,
contact Zoning Administrator Terri Potts at 625-9983, extension 107.
To apply, send a letter to the council indicating your interest and
qualifications in care of Town Clerk Mary Flack. The
deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the November
issue is October 15, 2003. |
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