THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

(It seems strange that I wrote last month’s article with 8" of snow on my deck while the temperature is over 70 and the sun is shining brightly today. I guess I didn’t realize when I moved here from Florida seven years ago that the four seasons this place is so famous for could all come the same month!)

I’m busy this month with the Capital Improvements Plan, so I’ll regurgitate my last council report to give you a flavor of what’s happening around town.

*The new water system is coming along quite nicely. Work is about to start on the segment around Tryon Bay Circle, the footings are being installed for the elevated tank and the tank, itself, is under construction for later assembly on site. We have selected a potential site for the third well and have cleared a drive into it, pending the final engineering study. Hopefully, it will produce more water than the other two wells.

*It was determined that there was insufficient water pressure to accommodate fire flow requirements for the improvements at both the Lake Lure Inn and the Arcade Building. After a meeting with the Inn’s contractor, McGill Associates and our staff, it was determined that a relatively minor modification to the water supply system in that area would allow those two buildings to be connected to the new 8" line from the Washburn Reservoir instead of the 6" line from the Chimney Rock Reservoir, thereby boosting the pressure to meet the need.

*We are in the process of soliciting bids to dredge the lake. The notice was published in the Asheville and Charlotte papers and sent to several companies that specialize in such operations. We hope that we can wrap this project up before summer is in full swing.

*At one of our earlier council meetings, the subject of the town’s website was raised. There was a lot of discussion about content and timeliness, as well as interactive permitting and the like. I solicited a proposal from our IT consultants (Diverse Corporate Technologies- DCT) with the mayor’s blessing, and the reported this result to council. They agreed to proceed, so you should see a new website before long. One of the benefits will be access to this newsletter on-line.

*The Mayor and I met with Graham Fields, Senator Elizabeth Dole’s Western North Carolina representative. We discussed several areas of interest to Lake Lure, including grant programs and other federal assistance. He promised to take our issues to the senator and to be available if we need him in the future. His office is in Hendersonville.

*Tony and the gang have planted 18 new cherry trees between the highway and the beach. The smaller maples he installed last year have been transplanted to the picnic area along with 6 new larger red maples. All the new trees are about 4" in diameter at breast height and will have a nice crown by summer.

*Finally, Shannon Baldwin informed us that the county plans to fly new aerial photos of the entire county this month. These will be controlled, color photos that will show a lot more detail than the last ones shot in 1992. To give us a better handle on the actual location of our wastewater system, William has begun painting all manhole covers so they will show up in the photos. So, if you wonder what the yellow circles on the manholes are, it’s just William and Donnie. And if you see an airplane going back and forth, look up and smile!

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 7:00 p.m., in the meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the "consent agenda," Council:

* approved the minutes of February 8, 2005 (regular meeting and closed session), and February 15, 2005 (special and joint meeting);

* approved a budget amendment of $2,800.00 for septic system at the Lake Lure fire station as submitted by the finance director;

* approved a request from Kris Seagraves and Jimmy Case to suspend the town’s alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer, and wine during a wedding reception inside the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on Saturday, April 23, 2005, from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.;

* approved Resolution No. 05-03-08 supporting the business and technology center in Rutherford County; and

* approved amendment to the audit contract between the Town of Lake Lure and the town auditor for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003 and ending June 30, 2004 changing the due date to April 4, 2005 to allow time for the Local Government Commission to review the audit and to make any recommended changes to the audit.

* heard a request from Frank Campbell on behalf of the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce regarding renovations to the Lake Lure Visitor Center; Town Council agreed to consider the recommended renovations at their Capital Improvements Program workshop meeting being held in April, 2005;

* approved a request from Beverly Garmon on behalf of the Heartbeats Pregnancy Center, Inc. to use certain town property near the town marina for their annual "Walk for Life" event being held on Saturday, May 7, 2005;

* approved a request from Rick Butler on behalf of the Motorcycle Touring Association regarding use of a portion of the town marina parking lot for a 2005 MTA International gathering and holding a parade on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, contingent upon certain restrictions and coordinating these activities with the Lake Lure Police;

* amended the town’s personnel policy to allow employees to accrue up to 240 vacation hours and convert unused vacation time accrued in excess of 240 hours at the end of the calendar year into their sick leave days;

* approved a budget amendment transferring $10,287.00 from the contingency account to cover merit increases for fiscal year 2005 as submitted by the finance director ($15,000.00 was set aside for this purpose);

* heard a request from Richard Loftis on behalf of the Lake Lure Tours regarding proposed amendments to their concession agreement pertaining to restrictions on the number of commercial licenses obtained from the town and allowing concession payment to commence after reimbursement of boat permits; Town Council agreed to discuss this request further at their special town council meeting being held with the Lake Advisory Committee on March 16, 2005, at 9:30 a.m.;

* approved a request from the Dixie Rodder’s to: (1) hold a 21st annual car show July 15-16, 2005 on town property; (2) rent the town community center along with the grassy area behind and adjacent to the building which extends toward the town marina; (3) suspend the town peddling ordinance to allow the club to sell t-shirts and other vendors to sell food and car parts; (4) use a P.A. system for playing music and making announcements and (5) suspend the town’s alcohol ordinance for participants to consume alcohol (beer and wine only) as stipulated with restrictions by the Lake Lure Police Department;

* tabled a request from Mary Ann Hollifield for the Crafty Tarheels to: hold craft shows on July 2-4, 2005, September 3-5, 2005, and October 8-9, 2005 (tentative dates: June 18-19, 2005, August 20-21, 2005, September 17-18, 2005; Town Council directed the town manager to contact Ms. Hollifield for clarification regarding this request;

* approved a request from Mark Banks on behalf of the Star Touring and Riding Chapter 236 of Hendersonville to suspend the town’s peddling ordinance in order to sell apparel and refreshments on town property (meadows area) during their first annual "Ride to Feed the Kids Poker Run" event being held on May 22, 2005, contingent upon the time for this event being determined by town administration; All proceeds from this event will be used to feed children;

* approved a request from Billy Morrison on behalf of the Hickory Nut Gorge EMS to: (1) hold a fund-raiser on Saturday, April 30, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, 2005 from 12:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on town property; (2) waive the rental fee for the grassy area at Morse Park; (3) waive the boat permit fee for the canoe and kayak event; (4) suspend the town’s peddling ordinance to allow them to sell t-shirts and food; and (5) use a P.A. system for playing music and making announcements;

* approved a budget amendment of $2,600.00 from the contingency fund to cover the cost of a website redesign proposal submitted by Diverse Corporate Technologies; and

* approved a request from Ralph Webb regarding a Chimney Rock Hill Climb reunion being attended by past participants and spectators on April 23-24, 2005 (there will be a car show Saturday afternoon in the meadows of Chimney Rock Park and a parade of car show participants on Sunday morning); town council granted permission to allow several small trailers used to haul vintage race cars to park in the Lake Lure municipal parking lot behind town hall and adjacent to the playground over night on Friday, April 22, 2005 and Saturday, April 23, 2005.

SPECIAL MEETING: A special town council joint meeting with the Lake Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

* held a discussion pertaining to recommended changes to the Lake Structures Ordinance; and

* held discussion regarding lake issues.

* heard a request from Rick Coley on behalf of the Lake Lure Tours regarding proposed amendments to their concession agreement pertaining to restrictions on the number of commercial licenses obtained from the town and allowing concession payment to commence after reimbursement of boat permits; town council amended the concession agreement with the Lake Lure Tours stipulating certain payment arrangements regarding boat permit fees; and

* directed the town manager and staff members to revise the draft Lake Structures Ordinance to be considered for adoption at a future meeting.

SPECIAL MEETING: A special meeting of the Lake Lure Marine Commission with the Lake Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, after 9:30 a.m. following the special town council meeting, in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

* held discussion regarding lake issues and upland zoning.

* approved a list as presented by the Lake Advisory Committee of recommended commercial applications for approval or disapproval;

* agreed to post-pone the enforcement of commercial mooring zoning restrictions until November, 2005 while the town conducts its review and revision of the zoning classifications and permitted uses;

* approved allowing additional lake commercial applications to be accepted for review by the Lake Advisory Committee and the Marine Commission, extending the March 1, 2005 deadline until November 1, 2005; approvals shall be granted when the relevant operating criteria are met and there are sufficient acre-hours available for the desired commercial activity;

* authorized the town manager to approve requests from rowing teams to use the lake during early Spring and waive boat permit fees and boat length restrictions for these type events;

* approved an additional launch ramp at Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort located at Fairfield Mountains to provide for the handicapped in order to comply with ADA requirements; and

As many of you already know, the Lake Lure Youth Center is open and operating again. Attendance is high and workers Mary Lorow and Lori Tomasello have already made a positive impact with many of the area youth.

Many thanks go out to Betty Cashion Zieger and the Maria Veg Wyatt Foundation for their most generous donation to the youth center. Their grants have enabled us to construct a new state-of-the-art basketball court, and possibly enable building improvements soon!

Thanks are also extended to the La La Queens of Lake Lure whose recent appearance in Hendersonville also resulted in a donation to the youth center.

Despite the fact that the new "move over" law took effect in 2002, some North Carolina residents say that they have never heard of the law. Now the state is planning to spend $150,000.00 on signs that help promote the new law.

The North Carolina statute requires that when you see a police or other emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway, you should move over or immediately slow down as you travel by.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sergeant Scott Canady said that people are just not moving over. He says most people are looking at the scene activities and wrecking or colliding with someone else. This is why the "move over" law went into effect in 2002. The law requires that motorists move over one lane away from any law enforcement or emergency vehicle that is parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

The state is preparing to spend $150,000 to install 50 large signs near the states interstates promoting the "move over" law.

Deadliest Cars - Size matters, but so does your driving

If you get into an accident, it might be just as much your fault as it is your vehicle’s.

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluated a variety of different types of vehicles - SUV’s, pick-ups, compacts, sporty cars, etc. - and found that while physical size can confer a built-in safety advantage in terms of occupant protection, certain vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents, irrespective of their built-in advantages because of the way they tend to be driven.

Sporty vehicles in general tend to be involved in more accidents than family sedans, minivans, luxury cars and pick-ups - which is why they cost more to insure. SUV’s also tend to be higher in the accident and fatality rankings than family sedans and minivans. Part of this is due to built-in design features of the typical truck-based SUV that make it less stable at higher speeds and more likely to roll over in certain circumstances - such as a violent lane change or entering a turn too fast. Many owners of SUV’s do not realize that in order to be off-road capable, an SUV’s on-road abilities tend to suffer, especially if the vehicle is driven excessively fast.

When shopping for a new car, it is best to remember the "Big Three" rules of safety:

Bigger is better. All else being equal, a larger, heavier car is safer in terms of occupant protection than a smaller, lighter car.

Design matters. Even among cars of equal size and weight, some are safer than others because of their underlying design, including the presence of such features as impact-absorbing frame structures, etc.

Technology buffer. Smaller, lighter cars can be as safe (or even safer) than larger cars if they are equipped with modern active and passive accident avoidance and occupant protection features such as electronic stability control, head and side curtain air bags, automatic seat belt pretensioners, etc.

And never forget the "driver factor" is a variable over which the automakers only have so much control. If you drive dangerously, you’re more likely to get into an accident and mor likely to get hurt - no matter what you happen to be driving! Let’s be safe out there!

Great news, the new position in the Fire Coordinator’s Office, approved by Council, has been filled. Randy Hardin began work as Assistant Fire Coordinator on Tuesday, February 1^st and has hit the ground running. Randy had been with the Rutherfordton Fire Department as a paid firefighter and Shift Captain for 14 years prior to coming to Lake Lure. He is a certified firefighter, NC Emergency Medical Technician and a State Certified Fire Inspector.

Randy will be assisting in all aspects of the Fire Coordinator’s Office including response to emergencies, fire inspections, fire investigations, emergency management and assisting the three volunteer fire departments serving the Town. We feel very fortunate to get someone with Randy’s experience and training.

We had a good winter here at the golf course but, just like everyone else, we are glad that spring is here. With the longer daylight hours comes extended hours here as well. Starting April 3, 2005 the pro shop will be open until 6:00 p.m., and carts can stay out until 8:00 p.m. Since we allow 2 hours per 9 holes, this means that you can take a cart out for 18 holes until 4:00 p.m., and 9 holes until 6:00 p.m. Also remember that Captain’s Choice starts Friday, April 8, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

If the weather permits, we are planning on aerifying the greens the last week in March. This is a necessary evil to keep the greens in good condition through the hot summer months. Your patience is appreciated and hopefully the greens will be back in shape in a short time.

Hello once again. This month I decided to digress from my current effort to enlighten our faithful readers about erosion control measures. This means that my article this month will be very short. I’m sure that having just read that statement, everyone is now breathing a sigh of relief since I have a tendency towards long-windedness.

Anyway, I want to put a plug in for a brand new website that just recently came online and that is the new site for The Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program. This is something that we have wanted to do for some time but have never been able to get anything off the ground.

This new website was designed with the intention of not only getting the word out about the services our program offers, but to also give people resources for information and technical expertise. The homepage has links to all of the partner organizations that work with the UBRWPP. We also have a weather link so you can see what the current conditions are in Lake Lure. That can be helpful information when you are concerned with erosion and sedimentation problems. There is a history page that tells about how our organization came to be and what we’ve accomplished to date. There are links to state and federal agencies, county governments, other watershed groups such as ours, links to educational materials, and more. My favorite part is the photo gallery which includes photos from all over the watershed. We have pictures of projects that we have worked on in the past, pictures of particular erosion control measures, and a few surprises that are intended to increase awareness and appreciation for the natural resources found in our area.

The website will be updated fairly often with new pictures being added to the photo gallery and old ones being rotated out. I am planning to add a calendar of events to the website so that folks can be kept abreast of workshops and meetings as they come around. This web page will be constantly under construction, which more or less reflects the state of the watershed. Bookmark the address or put it into your "Favorites" list because things will change periodically and you don’t want to miss anything.

Of course I know you are now eagerly awaiting the web address. It is www.upperbroadriver.org. Check it out! You never know what you might find that might help you or your neighbor. If you have questions or suggestions for the website, please contact me by phone or e-mail. I would love to hear your ideas. If you have an erosion problem or if you know somebody else that does, please call me anytime at (828)625-9983 Ext. 123 or e-mail me at clintcalhoun@blueridge.net for details.

Lake Lure Garden Club - If you love gardening or just enjoy nature and beauty consider yourself a member of Lake Lure Garden Club. There are no annual dues to worry about or schedules to keep up! Simply a small charge when you attend. Just come and enjoy our trips and meetings. Our goal is to share the knowledge and experience of gardeners, have fun doing it and carry out deeds to the community.

Wednesday, April 20^th, we will be taking a trip to Meadowbrook Nursery in Marion, NC. It has over 20 acres of land rich in native flora with display gardens. We will carpool from the Chapel Parking lot leaving at 10:30 am. The nursery has picnic areas so please pack a lunch for yourself. The cost is $3.00 per person or $5.00 per couple

At 1:00 pm Mr. James Oxley, the Nursery owner, will meet and guide us through various native plants suitable for our gardens. You will also be able to purchase plants after the tour.

Monday April 11^th, 10:30 to 12:00, we are invited by Rutherford Garden Club to a tablescape landscaping competition and plant sale. Tickets are $8.00. Please contact Latha Narayan at 625-1422 or tnarayan@bellsouth.net to register and make arrangements for either or both of these events.

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.

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 Bob Keith, Pres. at 828-625-2874 or Sue Forsyth , Treas. at 828-625-0885 for an application or any questions you may have.

Hickory Nut Gorge Community Outreach, Inc. (dba Shepherd’s Care) Food Pantry is now open. Shepherd’s Care Food Pantry will serve those families and individuals that live within the Hickory Nut Gorge area (Lake Lure, Gerton, Bill’s Creek, Bat Cave and Chimney Rock and Mill Spring).

If you need help please call Food Pantry Chairpersons Dick and Virgie Conrad at 625-8772 or leave a message on the office phone number 625-4683.

Boat Permits - we are now selling the 2005 boat permits at the Town Hall. The Town Marina is selling all of the permits except the Resident motorized permits. Those must be purchased at the Town Hall. Town Hall hours are 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. Please call the Marina at 625-1373 for their hours of operation.

You must have with you proof of $300,000.00 liability insurance on any resident or non-resident motorized boat that will be permitted. You must also bring your current state registration for each boat.

The 911 signs that we required lakefront owners to purchase last year must be posted on the boathouse (if applicable) or dock on lakefront side before you will be allowed to purchase your 2005 permits.

For questions or for a form to purchase permits by mail, please call 625-9983 ext.0.

Hickory Nut Gorge EMS & Rescue will be hosting the first annual Race for Rescue on April 30^th and May 1^st of 2005 on the Beach at Lake Lure. Events will include games, concessions, T-shirt sales, and other vendors. There will be several Rescue exhibitions throughout the day as well as demonstrations by the towns new Fire Boat 1. There will also be a series of health and safety awareness events including blood pressure screenings, child safety seat checks and the fire safety house.

Events for Saturday the 30^th include two mile canoe and or kayak sprint races, and on the 1^st an eleven mile marathon race around the borders of the beautiful Lake Lure.

Their services provide emergency medical and

rescue assistance to the citizens of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and the communities of Fairfield, Bills Creek, White House, Shingle Hollow and Green Hill free of charge. We are a non-profit organization and rely in large part on the ability to raise funds through fund raisers such as this.

If you would like to be a sponsor for this event by donating monies to assist with the cost of the events, merchandise or gifts for prizes please call 625-1595. Partners are also needed in the form of vendors and/or volunteers. All monetary sponsors who donate a minimum of fifty dollars will be honored with their companies name printed on the backs of the t-shirts to be sold and worn by participants as well as a thank you letter in the Daily Courier.

Please help your community by helping with this event in any way that you can. Thank You - HNG Ems and Rescue.

Kiwanis Memorial Days Festival - will be held (upon Town Council approval) May 28, 29 & 30. Artists and crafters from throughout the region will offer handmade wares such as quilts, sketches, pottery, watercolores, oil paintings, photography, jewelry, needle crafts, wood and leather crafts and all sorts fo artistic decorative items. There will be a DJ, Renny High, playing all sorts of music all three days. There will also be food vendors present.

Please contact Sharon Theiss at 828-429-8287 or Paula Jordan at 828-691-5008 if you are interested in having a booth at this festival.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30^th. If you would like to participate in this parade highlighting your business, little princess, school, church or organization contact Steve Hayes at 828-625-1171. The parade starts at 12:30 pm and will go from the Lake Lure Post Office through Chimney Rock.

A Fashion Show and Luncheon sponsored by the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce will be held on May 3, 2005 at 12:00 noon at Larkin’s on the Lake. The Fashions are by Chico’s, tickets are $25.00 and are available at the Visitors Center next to the Town Hall. Seats are limited so get your tickets early. Join in for the fun, great lunch, great fashions and door prizes. Call 828-625-2725 for information.