Town of Lake Lure,
North
Carolina
Town of Lake Lure, North
Carolina
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THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE Newsletter
Editor & Coordinator: Monica Stofer
TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, 7:00 p.m., in the meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center. Under the "consent agenda," Council:* approved the minutes of March 9, 2004 (regular meeting and closed session); and * approved budget amendments totaling $17,000 out of the contingency fund as submitted by the finance director transferring $11,500 to cover the cost of replacing a water pump at the Lake Lure golf course, and transferring $5,500 to cover the cost of property insurance. In other activities, Town Council: * held a public hearing regarding renewal of the cable franchise agreement with Northland Cable Ventures LLC dated August 1, 1996; * adopted Ordinance No. 04-04-13 amending the cable television franchise agreement with Northland Cable Ventures LLC dated August 1, 1996 (First Reading) * held a public hearing regarding a request from Harry Thal to close Gene Stratton Porter Street; town council tabled the adoption of Resolution No. 04-04-13 to close Gene Stratton Porter Street for further consideration at a later date to be announced and authorized the town manager to contact Mr. Thal regarding reimbursement costs to the town pertaining to the street closing proposal; * heard a report from George Sherk, D.S., J.D. regarding lake issues; * adopted Resolution No. 04-04-13A authorizing the lease of a portion of town property located adjacent to the parking lot within Morse Park for a State Employees' Credit Union ATM Machine; * denied Harold and Susan Harper's request to purchase part of golf course property owned by the town; town council voted not to declare this property as surplus at this time; * approved a request from Lynn and Vicki Smith for the town to suspend the peddling ordinance in order to sell items on May 15, 2004 during the "Strut Your Mut" dog show to raise funds to go towards the local humane societies and May 19-22, 2004 for a V-ROC (Vulcan Riders Owners Club) rally to raise funds for the Lake Lure Youth Center; both events will be held at the Geneva Riverside; * heard from Ken Jordan, LakesEdge Realty, requesting approval to sponsor a boat parade in Lake Lure to be held on June 26, 2004 to raise funds for the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs and to generate tourist interest in Lake Lure to benefit merchants; town council agreed to discuss Mr. Jordan's request further during the Lake Lure Marine Commission meeting following the council meeting; * heard from Paula Jordan and Patricia Maringer asking the town to appoint a committee to address issues concerning the cutting of trees in Lake Lure; town council reported that the Zoning and Planning Board had already been instructed to address the concerns; town council invited Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Maringer to attend the next Zoning and Planning Board meeting and share their concerns with this board; * approved a request from C. J. Sands on behalf of the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce to suspend the town alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer and wine during an annual business meeting being held inside the community hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on April 21, 2004, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m and waive the community hall fee for this event; * scheduled a special town council workshop meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, 9:00 a.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of meeting with town staff members to review the draft capital improvements program; SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LAKE LURE TOWN COUNCIL: The Lake Lure Town Council held a special town meeting on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, 9:00 a.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of meeting with town staff members to review the draft capital improvements program. REGULAR MEETING OF THE
LAKE LURE MARINE COMMISSION: The Lake Lure Marine Commission held their
regular meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, following the regular town council
meeting held at 7:00 p.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure
Municipal Center. The Marine Commission: * amended Resolution No. 04-03-09 (lake regulations pertaining to fishing, bathing, and boating on the waters of Lake Lure); revised Section 1.53 Regulations Regarding Operation of Boats; Restricted Areas (G) as follows:
* approved the request from Ken Jordan, LakesEdge Realty, to sponsor a boat parade in Lake Lure on June 26, 2004 to raise funds for the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs and to generate tourist interest in Lake Lure to benefit merchants. * recessed this meeting until Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 4:30 p.m., to be held in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of discussion with George Sherk, D.S., J.D. RECESSED REGULAR MEETING OF THE LAKE LURE MARINE COMMISSION: The Lake Lure Marine Commission held their recessed regular meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 4:30 p.m., held in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center. The Marine Commission: * heard a report from George Sherk, D.S., J.D. regarding lake issues and the town's rights to regulate the lake; SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LAKE LURE MARINE COMMISSION: The Lake Lure Marine Commission held a special meeting on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at 11:00 a.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center. The Marine Commission: * approved a request from Camp Care (camp for children with cancer) to waive the fees for three motorized boat permits from June 12-19, 2004.
KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEE by Anita Taylor, Personnel Director, MMC Daniel Denton came to work for the Town of Lake Lure full-time on December 29, 2003 and serves as a Police Office Assistant and a Reserve Officer for the Police Department. His responsiblities at the police department include manning the front desk, responding to citizen complaints, maintaining records, etc. Daniel obtained his Basic Law Enforcement Training Certification from McDowell Technical College in May, 2003 and is currently working towards his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at Western Piedmont Community College. He hopes to one day become a full-time police officer. Daniel lives in Marion, NC and is engaged to his highschool sweetheart, Brandi. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated employee.
by Chief Mike Bustle You will not see my usual article this month since I am taking a two week Instructor Training Course at the Justice Academy in Edneyville. The course is considered the hardest class the academy gives. It requires 80 hours of class time and 120 to 140 work hours to successfully complete the course. After completion we will have four officers with instructor training.
COMMUNITY FIRE NEWS by Fire Coordinator, Ron Morgan Finally, the new fireboat, which was ordered last June, is here and in service. Many of you may have seen it on the lake already as our firefighters have been training on its operation. The new boat was built by Sea Ark Marine in Monticello, Arkansas and is 26 feet long and 8 ˝ feet wide. The fire pump is rated at 1000 gallons per minute (gpm); this is twice the capacity of the old boat. When tested, the boat tested at nearly 1400 gpm. A GM marine six-cylinder engine drives the fire pump. The boat is designed to pump water to our fire trucks through hoselines, or put water directly on a fire through a deluge nozzle, which is mounted on the front. The fireboat is propelled by two 150 horsepower Evinrude fuel injected two-cycle outboard motors and is capable of up to 43 mph. The boat is equipped with an enclosed cabin and a self-bailing deck, which is quite comfortable in severe weather. The roof is mounted with a heat and air conditioner makes cold and hot weather less of an issue for operations. This enables us to not only respond in severe conditions but also gives us the ability to warm people who may have been exposed to cold water conditions quickly and cool people suffering from a heat stroke or heat exhaustion. We have dealt with these issues in the past on the lake. The fireboat is constructed of aluminum and is by design an ocean going vessel. So there shouldn't be any problems managing severe weather on Lake Lure. The boat is also equipped with a dive door. There is a removable panel on one side that allows better access for divers to retrieve victims from the water. We are planning a dedication ceremony in the near future, and everyone is invited, so please listen for the date to be announced. The fire departments underwent an Insurance Services Office inspection approximately three years ago. The old fireboat was tested and resulted in a class 6 insurance rating for lakefront properties within 1000 feet of the shoreline. This means a 25-30 percent reduction in your homeowner's insurance rates. The new fireboat will help maintain this rating. Lastly, I would like to thank those of you who contributed toward the purchase fo this boat and the Town for their financial support. If you have not contributed toward this project, we are currently working toward building a floating boathouse for our new fireboat and any donations for this project would be greatly appreciated. Any donations can be sent to the Fireboat Fund c/o Lake Lure Fire Coordinator at P.O. Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746.
GOLF COURSE NEWS by Charlie Greeson, Pro Shop Clerk ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS!!!! On May 31, 2004 we will have an increase in membership rates. We regret having increases in any of our rates, but due to rising costs in maintaining the golf course it is unavoidable. This is our first membership rate increase since 2001, and is still cheaper than the 1998 rates. We think everyone will agree that the condition of the course has greatly improved since then. We want to continue to improve and maintain these improvements. Anyone wishing to avoid the increase this year may purchase their 2005 memberships before May 31st. If you are renewing your membership, this will not affect your expiration date. The new member-ship rates are listed below. We value all of our members and hope to have all of you as members for many years to come. New rates: Single Family of 2 Addit. Annual $225.00 $350.00 $75.00 Semi-Annual $175.00 $225.00 $65.00 Where's that crate? Oh yeah, right where I left it. Stomp, stomp (Imagine sound of me stepping my two big feet up on the soap box), dig, dig, fumble, fumble, jingle...there! (Imagine sound of me getting 2 cents out of my pocket) OK. Now. The issue this month that I am taking issue with is DIVOT BOXES. For the golfers (and apparently there are quite a few) who are uninformed about this little bucket of maintenance, here's some info for you. We call these things "divot boxes" because their contents are used to fill divots. They are placed on the tee boxes for the par 3 holes because this is where most of the divots on tees occur. Even though they are filled with sand, they are not butt cans! Please stop putting your cigarette and cigars here. This sand is easiest applied to a divot when the sand is dry. That's why we put a lid on the bucket. These divot boxes are also not trash cans. Trash cans are provided at every hole now so please put your trash in those. So, with all that said, let's recap. #1. You tee off on a par 3 hole and make a divot. #2. You go to the divot bucket and get you out a scoop of sand. #3. You then take this sand to where the divot is and fill it, patting down any excess with your foot, returning the scoop back to the bucket which you then recover with the lid. #4. Stand back, admire your work briefly, and feel good about yourself because you have made me, the general manager, other golfers, and the tee box happy. The tee box is especially grateful because it can now heal faster and easier. OK, now I've got my 2 cents in on that issue. What's next? Oh yeah;....dig, dig, fumble, fumble, jingle....dig some more on the other side...well, you'll have to use your imagination for more than just the sounds this time. I'm out of pennies but I'm bound to get my 2 cents in on this next issue also. Slow play and space ahead. On a nine hole golf course it is essential that you maintain the pace of play. Most of the golfers who play here are mindful of this and do a good job of keeping up. There are some, however, who seem to be totally mindless of the situation at hand. On weekends in particular, young golfers, new golfers, and less experienced golfers often hold up play and cause traffic jams because they take too long or too many strokes to advance their ball. If you see that golfers are coming up behind you, and there is space ahead, then please, purty pleeez, allow them to play through. OK? This is common golf etiquette and is good consideration that is appreciated by your fellow golfers. Thanks in advance for all those who give attention to this matter. Aliens, be forewarned. You will be expected to abide with the above issues the same as earthlings. I have a copy of the USGA rules and regulations along with golf rules of etiquette that will be available for your review prior to play. Failure to comply will result in me discombobulating your framstat ratchet; and neither you nor I want that. WOW! What an initial turnout for this season's Captain Choice tournaments. Best ever as far as I can tell. We started the first three Friday's at 5:30 p.m. so we would have enough time to get finished before dark. Beginning on Friday, May 7th, we're going to tee off the tournaments at 6:00 p.m. As with the previous starting time, you need to be at the course and registered no later than 15 minutes prior to tee time so we will be able to choose the teams and get started on time. Y'all come on out and join in the fun. We have just the finest folks for competitors and some of them are even funny too. You'll have different team members each time you play because we don't play with "loaded" groups. Actually, now that I think about it, there have been a couple of "loaded" players from time to time...( HA! Sometimes I kill me.) By the bye, thanks for all the nice comments on appearance. Chris has done a splendid job working with mother nature on the various grasses. The Bermuda is starting to green-up and will soon rival the perennial rye that was put down last fall. The fairways are playing better and better as the turf improves with the spring temperatures and sun. The aeration of the greens went well also. The timing was almost perfect for getting the sand down and swept and then well watered along with the nutrients by some timely rains. These greens are rolling as true as they do at Augusta,...unless you travel across a ball mark. (Hmm, I believe I'll wait until next month to get up on my soap box for that one) Andy Parks is giving lessons left and right but there are still openings in his schedule. Call or come by the course to get signed up. It doesn't matter if you are new to the game or not. He can effectively teach you if you are brand new or you're old and need to break some bad habits. If you want to improve your game then Andy is the man to see. Also, and this is a significant consideration, PGA professionals don't often come as cheap as Andy. His price of only $30.00 for a 45 minute lesson, or, $75.00 for three lessons will be hard to beat anywhere. That's about it for now. Ya'll come on out and let me bid you "Fairways and Greens" in person.
UPPER BROAD RIVER WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM by Clint Calhoun, Erosion Control Specialist Spring is finally here! After a cold, but mostly dry winter, the temps are starting to warm up, the birds are singing, the wildflowers are blooming, and the tourists are starting to arrive in our little valley. Warm weather is also a time when we see quick, heavy thunderstorms that drop a lot of rain in a very short time and turn our creeks and river into an angry, churning rage of mud and debris. How many times do we ask ourselves, "Where is all that mud coming from?" or "What happens to the fish when the river gets muddy?" If I were to just venture a guess, I would say that it probably crosses everyone's mind at some point. No one likes to see a muddy stream. But how often do we say, "What can I do to stop mud from washing into the river?" Most people probably never even consider this question. The answer is quite simple: Get involved! If you are a property owner, you are affected by sedimentation. If you are a trout fisherman, you are affected by sedimentation. If you are a business owner, or a farmer, or a developer, you are affected by sedimentation. Sediment is the single largest pollutant in the Upper Broad River Watershed. It is also one of the easiest to prevent, provided proper measures are taken. One would be inclined to believe that construction and development are the largest contributors to sediment in our stream. In some cases this is true, but very often the largest contributors are things that have been around awhile, such as logging roads, ATV trails, improperly maintained driveways, and banks. All of these contribute large amounts of sediment but are so often overlooked. Most large construction sites are heavily scrutinized and regulated, so sedimentation is not usually a big problem, and when it is, fines are usually enough to get contractors back in line. When I say get involved, there are several things you can do. (1) Know the laws concerning sedimentation. (2) Report violations. Some people say, "Well, it's none of my business what so and so does." I disagree. If it violates the law and affects other people, then it's the business of everyone affected. (3) Be a good neighbor. Think about how your land disturbing activities will affect others around you. As close as people live to each other in this area, what you do uphill will be down the hill in your neighbors' yards the next time it rains. Think how you would feel if the roles were reversed. (4) Get technical assistance. Planning a construction project can be complicated, particularly here in the mountains. Make sure that you are making the right decisions before you begin work. (5) Get involved with the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program. Our program can help with improving eroded areas. We can provide financial assistance for improving roads, hydroseeding, culvert installation, and many other practices. (6) Encourage your friends and neighbors to be good stewards. It takes everyone working together to prevent sedimentation problems. We will be hosting a watershed workshop entitled "Protecting the Upper Broad River Watershed" on Tuesday May 4th, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lake Lure Municipal Center. If you live in the communities of Bat Cave, Broad River, Chimney Rock Village, Gerton, or the Town of Lake Lure, you are invited to attend. Attendees will learn about our water quality problems, our cost share program, riparian conservation easements, and will hear from landowners who have participated in our program. Information and pamphlets will be available for landowners to pick up. Refreshments will be served. Please come out and support our program. Please feel free to contact me at (828) 625-9983 Ext. 123 or clintcalhoun@blueridge.net if you have any questions.
LAKE LURE YOUTH CENTER'S HAPPENINGS by The Kids At The Lake Lure Youth Center We would like to announce that we have a couple youth center students graduating at the end of May. Ashley Freeburg and Austin Sherrill will be stepping into a whole different world after May. Everyone please help us wish them the best as their adventures begin. Both plan to attend college. Some more exciting news, Jenna Chillington, also a youth center student was chosen to perform in the Henderson County band at Blue Ridge Community College. She will be playing the clarinet. We have a request from anyone who can help...our computers are acting up. If anyone can help us work on them, we would appreciate it very much. Just call Sharon at 828-625-2299 or 828-625-5220.
CONSTRUCTIVE FORESTRY AND LANDSCAPING COMMITTEE by Members A group of volunteers led by Patricia Maringer and Paula Jordan has offered its services to the Town Council and to the Zoning and Planning Board to help develop a program to prevent the excess cutting of trees within the Lake Lure town limits. Such a program would NOT ban the cutting of trees altogether, but would work to prevent the complete removal of trees from a given tract of land, such as recently took place at the corner of Hwy 64/74 and Washburn Rd. Under such a program, trees could still be removed from an actual construction footprint, or thinned to develop views, but in ways that would spare and protect an overarching canopy of large healthy trees to mask much of the clearing and construction beneath. It would also promote healthy and beautiful stands of small native species such as mountain laurel, dogwood, and sourwood that provide so much of our spring and fall beauty. The Constructive Forestry and Landscaping Committee will first review relevant state and local legislation, then seek ideas and proposals from our own citizens. It will then work with the Zoning and Planning Board to mold elements from all these sources into practical, reasonable, and enforceable forestry ordinances that will, as far as possible, meet the needs of all our citizens. Those wishing to assist with this work should contact Patricia Maringer at 828-625-0093 or Paula Jordan at 828-691-5008. Your help will be much appreciated.
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.
911 Signs - For those who need help putting up the new 911 lake signs, the LLLOA will take calls from people and will put up your signs for you free of charge. For more information please contact Fred Noble at 828-625-8706 The Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club presents "Memorial Days 2004". There will be live music, arts and crafts, rides, variety of tasty foods and a Memorial Day parade. The admission is FREE! The 3-day festival will be held from Saturday, May 29th through Monday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please contact Sharon Theiss at 828-625-2299 or Paula Jordan at 828-691-5008. May 4th - Lake Lure Tours will have their second full moon cruise which departs at 9:00 p.m. For more information, please call 828-6251373. May 5th - Meteor Shower cruise with Lake Lure Tours. For more information, please call 828-625-1373. Boat Parade - Plans are underway for the 1st Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Summer Boat Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, June 26th. Sponsorships are available at two different levels. Entry forms will be made available at various places of businesses. For more details, contact Ken Jordan at LakesEdge Realty, 828-625-9439. The Lake Lure Lions Club will be hosting its 18th Annual Open Golf Tournament on Friday, May 7, 2004. The event will be hosted at the beautiful and challenging Apple Valley Golf Club, Fairfield Mountains at Lake Lure, NC. The entry fee of $50 per player, which covers all fees, lunch, team prizes and electric cart for 18 holes. All players must have a verified U.S.G.A. handicap index by a recognized golf association or a written verification from home course professional. Net proceeds will be going to helping the blind, deaf or otherwise handicapped people in this area. Call for an entry form and more information at 828-625-1878 or 828-625-2888 or 828-625- 3042. The deadline is on May 5th at 5:00 pm. There are openings for only 120 players, so get your teams lined up.
New Business - Spotlights Restaurant & Variety Theatre owned by Lisa and Steve Reese, who also own Pleasure Excursions, is located at 1833 Memorial Hwy (old Coastal and Country Rest). Spotlights offers fine quality food and beverages, entertainment such movies, plays, live comedians, game shows, DJ & Karaoke, live bands and much more. They are currently open Thursday - Sunday. For the hours call 828-625-1140. Stop in and see the change and enjoy the show.
For comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-1373.
The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the June issue is May 19, 2004.
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