Town of Lake Lure,
North
Carolina
Town of Lake Lure, North
Carolina
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THE
LAKE LURE TRIBUTE Published by Town of Lake Lure, P.O. Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746 Newsletter
Editor & Coordinator: Monica Stofer
EDITORIAL NOTE
This issue marks the second anniversary of my tenure as editor of this newsletter. I really enjoy this and hope you have too. I would like to continue to keep the newsletter interesting and informational. So to help me, it would be really nice to hear any comments from you, the readers, that you may have about the looks, the information provided or what you would like to see in future newsletters. You can do this by mail or give me a call at 828-625-9983 ext. 119. Thanks to everyone who picks up or subscribes to our newsletter. Have a wonderful year!
MAYOR'S COMMENTS by Jim Proctor BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR IN 2004 FROM THE ENTIRE TOWN COUNCIL AND ME.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT by H. M. "Chuck" Place III, AICP MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US! I know it's January, but I'm still talking about the best Christmas present that we could have gotten. One week before Christmas Day, we received word that Federal District Court Judge Lacy Thornburg had dismissed the lawsuit filed last year against the Town of Lake Lure, Blaine Cox, George Pressley, Lea Hullender, Terri Potts and me by Patricia Hyatt. Ms. Hyatt's complaint alleged that the town and individual parties named violated her civil rights by denying her the "right" to construct and maintain a seawall and boathouse on her lakeside property. In actual fact, Ms. Hyatt (acting as her own contractor) and a succession of sub-contractors hired by her, applied for and received permits to construct the seawall and boathouse but then proceeded to violate those permits by illegally filling the lake (by as much as 18 feet), constructing a new seawall at the edge of this fill and then constructing her boathouse18 feet too far into the lake (based on the location of the illegal seawall). In addition, her boathouse encroached into both side setbacks and the overall project encroached into both of her adjacent neighbor's property. She was cited for violations on several occasions and received "stop work orders" on four occasions for failure to control erosion caused by the construction on her property. Ms. Hyatt's defense of her actions was a claim that our regulations were too vague to be understood, and she did not believe that she had done anything wrong. Judge Thornburg summed up his response very neatly by saying, "The problem in this case is not that Hyatt could not ascertain the meaning of the regulation but that she constructed her seawall in either total disregard or without any consideration thereof." It would be wonderful if this were the end of the matter, but Ms. Hyatt's attorney has indicated in the press that they intend to appeal the district court ruling. We may have to wait another year or two before the matter is truly resolved. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! Lynn and I wish to all of you the blessings and happiness that have come to us. May your new year be healthy, happy and prosperous.
TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, December 9, 2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center. Under the "consent agenda," Council: * approved the minutes of November 18, 2003 (regular meeting); * approved request from Mary Ann Hollifield for the Crafty Tarheels to: (1) hold craft shows on July 3-4, 2004, September 4-6, 2004, and October 9-10, 2004; (2) suspend the town peddling ordinance to allow vendors to sell crafts and food; (3) use the town community center kitchen area and the grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center and between the town marina; (4) suspend the town ordinance prohibiting overnight camping for these events to allow two self-contained campers to stay on town property located on the grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center; and * adopted Ordinance No. 03-12-09C requiring the delayed harvest of fish (catch and release) to be caught in Lake Lure between December 1, 2003 and March 1, 2004. In other activities, Town Council: * adopted Ordinance No. 03-12-09A amending Chapter 94 (The Lake Structures Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances revising Sections: 94.02 Definitions, 94.05 Design and Construction Standards, and 94.07 Sea Walls; * adopted Ordinance No. 03-09-09B amending Title IV, Public Works, of the Code of Ordinances by creating a new Chapter 42 relating to street names and property addressing; * approved increases in compensation for the Lake Lure ABC board members and chairman; * reappointed Ross Worden to serve on the Lake Advisory Committee and appointed Garry Hasenfus, Russell Pitts, and John Kilby to serve on this committee; * reappointed Mary Ann Dotson to serve as regular member on the Board of Adjustment/Lake Structures Appeals Board and Harvey Jacques was reappointed to serve as alternate member on this board; * reappointed Anthony Brodfuhrer and Jack Lawrence to serve on the Lake Lure Zoning/Planning Board; * reappointed Woody Price, John Thompson, and Jerry Wright to serve on the Golf Course Advisory Committee; * appointed Harold Harper to serve on the Lake Lure ABC Board; * reappointed Mary Karr and appointed Martyn Watts to serve on the Parks/Recreation Board; * approved the town marina slip rental fees schedule for 2004 and held a discussion pertaining to the town marina boat slip policy; * reviewed a request from William Breen, Jr. concerning the town marina boat slip policy; * approved a request from Don Duffy on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Grant for permission to alter the shore line for the purpose of renovating an existing single slip boathouse in deteriorated condition into a new double slip boathouse; * approved a request from Vicki Smith on behalf of the Lake Lure La La Queens for permission to store a mobile trailer on town property (throughout the year) to be used as a "Mad Maze" for a fund-raising event (the proceeds from which will be used toward the Lake Lure Youth Center); authorized the town manager to determine the location of storage, parking, and the appropriate signs required; * reviewed a request from Janda L. Carter to lease a portion of the Lake Lure Golf Course Club House; authorized the town manager to proceed with investigating and gathering input from the Lake Lure Golf Course Committee members to draft a lease for consideration; and * authorized the distribution of town contribution for town employees toward the 401(k) plan and/or the 457 plan per the choice of each employee.
COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS by Chief Mike Bustle This holiday season, as with many previously, all law enforcement agencies across America will be participating in the yearly impaired driving crackdown "You Drink and Drive, You Lose". The program actually concentrates from December 9, 2003 through January 4, 2004. Help us spread the word that the chance of being caught is too high to risk, especially during this concentrated effort. These selected enforcement efforts have proven reliable during years past in the overall reduction of these unacceptable statistics from the Department of Transportation: (1) In 2002, there was one alcohol-related fatality every 30 minutes; (2) There were 17,419 traffic fatalities in alcohol-related crashes in 2002; (3) 41% of the total traffic fatalities in 2002 were alcohol-related; (4) In 2002, 31% of all fatal crashes during the week were alcohol-related, compared to 54% on weekends; (5) Approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested in 2001 for driving under the influence (this is an arrest rate of 1 for every 137 licensed drivers in the United States); and (6) The highest intoxication rates in fatal crashes in 2002 were recorded for drivers 21-24 years old (33 percent), followed by ages 25-34 (28 percent) and 35-44 (26 percent). As you can easily see, these statistics are unacceptably high, but easily affected by concentrated efforts. Please help us communicate to all motorists that the risk of being caught is too great, especially during these crackdown periods! I would like to thank the several Lake Lure Santas who made generous donations to the Lake Lure Youth Center during this Holiday Season. Thanks to you folks, the youth center is the proud recipient of a brand new, $1,000 large capacity refrigerator-freezer and new stove, the grand facilitators of snack- time! The Lake Lure Police Department has identified a nearby family in need of assistance during this Christmas season. All officers will be assisting in providing this family a Merry Christmas during these lean times. Please let your community police officer know if you would like to help, too!
by Ron Morgan, Lake Lure Fire Coordinator Winter is here in full force and we have frozen precipitation and power outages to look forward to. Traditionally power outages last longer here due to our remoteness and poor accessibility. We ask everyone to prepare themselves for the winter by storing food and water, prescriptions, batteries, blankets and other necessary supplies. You also need a back up source of heat that does not require electricity and is approved for indoor use. Contrary to popular belief, kerosene space heaters are not approved for indoor use and put off hazardous carbon monoxide that can injure or kill you if they are not vented. We ask everyone to prepare to be without electricity for a minimum of 72 hours or more. We open emergency shelters when needed and will be glad to assist you if you have a problem. The emergency shelters are typically run by the local fire departments and are located at Chimney Rock Fire Department, Bill's Creek Fire Department and Lake View Restaurant. All of these facilities are equipped with back up generators. We also maintain a list of people who must remain on oxygen. In the event of an extended power outage we can bring additional oxygen bottles to your home or transport you to an emergency shelter. If you are on oxygen in your home or know someone who is please contact us as soon as possible so we can add you to our list. You can contact us at 828-625-9333. Also you may contact us for any additional information concerning preparation for severe weather or any other fire or emergency management needs.
by Charlie Greeson, Pro Shop Clerk Happy New Year!! We here at the golf course hope all of you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa Claus scooted down the stove pipe over at your house. Also hope that what he left was not a lump of coal. Hope the reindeer didn't leave anything but hoof prints. I don't know about y'all, but I ate entirely too much, too many times. Now, with all those pleasantries out of the way... BRRR! I think it's colder than last winter. It's certainly not as warm as the winter of 2001. That was like the winter that wasn't. This year the amount of play has been really low. I think I know one of the problems that is not associated with weather. We still have a pretty high frequency of people calling who ask if we are open this time of year round. This is the word we want to get out to the general populace: YES! We are open year 'round. We only close for Christmas and other than that, just the days when it's not weather fit. So, if any of you folks have guests that are looking for a place to play this time of year - send them on out. Tell them about our great winter rates. Speaking of great rates and such, we still have the majority of our pro shop merchandise on sale for 20% off. Stop by and use that Christmas cash you got in the envelope from Santa disguised as Aunt Mavis. I'm sure she would approve. The inmates have been by to do some brush cutting and so forth. They have done a good job of helping us to keep the place neat and clean. I know I like the ease I have in finding those errant shots. Well, that's about all we have for now. Not much golf being played, not much news, no aliens...
by The Kids At The Lake Lure Youth Center We would like to give a big thanks to our anonymous donor of a brand new electric stove. We are really enjoying it; it bakes beautiful biscuits. We were all very excited when our boat, "The Rudolph Express," won a trophy for the most enthusiastic entry at the annual boat parade. Those who participated were Danielle Reinhardt, Teresa Reinhardt, Robin Fry, Amber Godin, John Payne, Jenna Chillington, and Scott and Sharon Theiss. And of course we can't forget our driver Sonny. For those who missed out, the 15th Annual Christmas party held on December 13th was very nice. Sorry you could not make it. The children really enjoyed visiting with Santa. Special thanks to all the helpers, the Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club and Martha Jane Powers.
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 Rod or Yvonne Anderson at 828-625-0464. The Anderson's have taken Hugh and Nancy Pinney's place. Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association (LLLOA). If you are interested in Lake issues and concerns and own lakefront property on the shores of beautiful Lake Lure, the LLLOA invites you to become a regular member. Associate memberships are also encouraged for those who are interested in our Lake. Each year members receive a directory of members, informative Muse Letters, and a first class mailed subscription to the Town of Lake Lure monthly newsletter, The Lake Lure Tribute. Members meet at the Town Community Center socially at least annually to meet neighbors and discuss issues. Annual dues are currently a modest $17.00. You may pick up an application for membership at the Municipal Center or call President Chuck Watkins at 828-625-2122 or Treasure Hugh Pinney at 828-625-0867 for an application or with any questions you may have. Subway - We are happy to say that Subway will be reopening soon. We do not have a date, but more details will come later. Larkins On The Lake, Bayfront Bar & Grill and MaLarkie's, would like to let everyone know that they are one of the few restaurants that continue to stay open during the winter season. We don't have many that stay open during the winter and we need to help support the ones that do. This way they can continue to feed those who work during the winter months. For more information call each location.
PUBLIC NOTICE The Lake Lure Town Council has mandated delayed harvest (catch and release) for all fishing within Lake Lure from December 1, 2003, through March 1, 2004. This means that no fish may be kept during these three months. Individuals fishing must use single hook artificial lures only, and all hooks must be barbless. No fishing with live bait, natural, or prepared bait will be permitted during this period. This will help to ensure that fish will be released nearly unharmed. (Note: violators will, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor as provided in G.S. Section 14-4). For further information, contact Town Hall at 828-625-9983. Ordinance 03-12-09C, Adopted December 9, 2003
NOTICE For comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-0077.
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