THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE

1927-2002

75 YEARS OF PROGRESS

 Mayor: Jim Proctor

Commissioners: Blaine Cox, Lea Hullender, Dick McCallum, Chuck Watkins,

Town Manager: H.M. “Chuck” Place, III

March 2005

 Published by Town of Lake Lure, P.O. Box 255 , Lake Lure , NC 28746

Newsletter Editor & Coordinator: Linda Ward

 

TOWN MANAGER"S REPORT

by H.M. AChuck, Place III, AICP

 

THE YEAR OF THE ATHLETES

As I start this article, I'm snowbound at home with 8" plus drifts on my back porch. So it seems strange to be writing about sporting events, particularly those dealing with activities on and in the lake (brrrrr!). Non the less, that's the topic this month.

Lake Lure has always been a great location for sports from swimming to golf to serious rock climbing. This year, however, there seems to be an abundance of organized activities.  Four come to mind, in particular.

ROWING  First, in just a couple of weeks, the north-south axis of the lake will echo to the sound of coxswains calling "Pull! Pull!" (or whatever they say) as the Ohio State Crew Club once again visit Lake Lure for their early season training. They will bring 14 rowing shells ranging from 29 to 58 feet in length (yes, they have waivers from the town), seating from one person to crews of eight. This year, Ohio will be joined by the Franklin Pierce College ( New Hampshire ) Crew Club with four more shells.

I don't know how long the Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort (and their predecessors) and the town have hosted this spring activity, but it's become a tradition.  Since few of our boaters venture onto the lake this early in the season, there is no conflict with our use of the lake and it's a lot of fun to watch the teams sprinting up and down.

BICYCLING  Then, on May 20, we will be part of the "Assault on Mount Mitchell ."  This is the annual bicycle race from Spartanburg to the top of that mountain that usually takes another route.  The recent storm damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway caused the closing of a portion of the regular route so the event will come through Lake Lure this year.  There will be a rest stop at the meadow in Morse Park next to the welcome center for the bicyclists.  Check the papers for the schedule to see when the bikers will pass through here.

OLYMPIAD  The third event is a biggy for us local folks.  The Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad 2005 will kick off on August 12 for two days of fun and serious athletic competition for people of all ages and abilities in the area. Both individual and team events on water and land will be staged at three primary venues: the Lake Lure town beach and Morse Park , Chimney Rock Park and the Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort.  There will be celebratory opening and closing ceremonies featuring the lighting and extinguishing of the Olympiad Torch, a flag ceremony, a parade of athletes, awarding of medals, an Olympic Athlete speaker, music, ice cream social, DJ dance, the summer boat parade and a food festival.  At this point, there are about 30 individual and team events planned, including a professionally produced triathlon.  This Olympiad promises to be something that will involve the entire community, either as participants or spectators  and the organizers are really knocking themselves out to make this the best event the area has ever seen!

US CHALLENGE  Finally, we will be a part of a national corporate team building event called US Challenge, organized by Challenger World and presented by Fortune Magazine. Challenger World is a company from Great Britain who state that they are the world's leading organizers of inter-business team building competitions, having specialized since 1991 in creating high performance teams for businesses through a unique team building formula. Their events pit company against company in what is publicly recognized as the ultimate test of mind, body and spirit. They run sell out events in the UK and abroad, and their clients include some of the biggest organizations in the world - including American Express, Coca Cola, HP Products, IBM, JP Morgan, Microsoft, and the like.

The US Challenge will be held in the greater Asheville area on October 27-30, 2005, and there will be events in Lake lure and Chimney Rock Park . The Challenge will be made into a 60 minute television program and will be broadcast on the Outdoor Life Network, bringing worldwide publicity to Lake Lure .

While details of the competition here are not being released yet (events are kept secret from the teams until the start time), it is obvious that some sort of lake activity is planned.  I can say that there will be a call for a limited number of lakefront property owner volunteers sometime this summer to man check points!

So, plan to watch three of the sporting events and participate in the fourth. This should definitely be a fun year!

 

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

by Chief Mike Bustle

 It's the Season for frauds and thefts! 

   Fraudulent Winning Check  from Global Diversification Winners Circle

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina warns area residents to be on the look-out for a winning check that may be in your mail from Global Diversification Winners Circle. The BBB has confirmed these checks, drawn on Zions First National Bank (a real bank), are counterfeit checks produced using a stolen company name and account number. If you receive one of these checks, the BBB advises you to not attempt cashing it. If you do attempt it and are successful, you may be held accountable for passing a bad check and be made to repay any money you wrongfully received.

If you find yourself the recipient of a winning check in a foreign lottery, sweepstakes, or give-away, keep the following in mind:

*    There is no reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back;

*    Just because you can withdraw the money from the bank does not mean the check is good, even if it is a cashier's check;

*    If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashier=s check for the exact amount that is owed to you, preferably from a local bank or one with a branch in your area.

Contacts:

BBB of Northwest North CarolinaDavid W. Dalrymple, President336-777-3726 ext. 100 (office)336-813-8200 (mobile)

Identity Theft -"Phishing" Season In High Gear

*          This message is in follow-up to Fraud Alert concerning email messages from scammers posing as bank officials who are attempting to resolve unexpected problems with consumers' accounts. Fraud Alert Task Force Co-Chair Maryanne Dailey of the BBB Consumer Foundation in Charlotte reports a substantial upward spike this week in consumer complaints to her agency about such "Phishing" messages. She invites all Task Force members to remind the public that these messages usually represent attempts at identity theft, accessing consumers' sensitive financial information, or the installation of spyware on consumers' computers. One should never open the links the bogus bankers include in such emails. Instead, the emails should be deleted promptly and then emptied from the computer's "trash" folder. Consumers should consider notifying their bank that they received such an email, especially if they responded to it by typing in requested account information.

Seniors and other consumers who use the Internet continue to receive E-mail messages from identity thieves posing as security officials with their banks. An alert on this scam was issued last year. Members of the Task Force continue to report such fraud attempts. Examples of two recent attempts appear below. Both messages below came in the form of E-mails and bore the logo of a real bank. Clicking the web link on the E-mail transfers the consumer to an elaborate but fake bank security website. There the consumers are asked to input information on their accounts together with social security numbers-- the very information fraudsters need to steal a person's identity.

There have also been instances of an ongoing mass e-mail scheme wherein computer users receive unsolicited e-mails purportedly sent by the F.B.I.  These scam e-mails tell the recipients that their Internet use has been monitored by the F.B.I.'s Internet Fraud Complaint Center and that they have accessed illegal web sites.  The e-mails then direct recipients to open an attachment and answer questions.  The attachments contain a computer virus.

The F.B.I. takes this matter seriously and is investigating.  Users receiving e-mails of this nature are encouraged to report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center via http://www.ic3.gov.

With all these computer scams and fraudulent schemes about, please remember that especially during this slow time of year, we are Aour brother's keepers!  With so many of our residents being part-time, we must all participate in enhancing public awareness and watching over each others= properties.  When something seen appears suspicious, please don't call a family member or friend, telephone the police department and allow you officers to check circumstances immediately.  The officers will report back to you and advise what they discovered.  This will help members of the police department provide the highest level of protection and service to residents and visitors of the Town of Lake Lure.

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC

 

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

  Under the Aconsent agenda,@ Council:

*approved the minutes of January 11, 2005 (regular meeting and closed session);

* approved a request from Lynn & Vicki Smith for the town to suspend the peddling ordinance in order to sell items for the following events to be held: (1) May 4-8, 2005 for a V-ROC (Vulcan Riders Owners Club) rally to raise funds for the Lake Lure youth center; (2) May 21, 2005 for a AStrut Your Mut@ dog show to raise funds to go toward the animal compassion network; and (3) September 9-11, 2005 for AI Deserve It Weekend@ to raise funds for the Lake Lure youth center.  These events will be held at the Geneva Riverside; and

* approved budget amendments for FEMA reimbursements and grants as submitted by the finance director; increased revenues in the general fund for $349,142.00 and increased expenditures by $349,142.00; increased hydro-electric revenues by $5,211.00 and increased expenditures by $5,211.00.

In other activities, Town Council:

* scheduled a joint workshop meeting with the zoning and planning board to be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in the town council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of reviewing the current planned unit development ordinance and proposed changes;

* scheduled a special town council meeting to be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in the town council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center for the purpose of considering the proposed ordinance imposing a moratorium on sections of the Town of Lake Lure zoning regulations that regulate planned unit developments;

* approved a request from Edwin Haskell on behalf of Anne Brown Blackwell to grant a quitclaim  deed  for certain property located in Tryon Bay Cove according to a survey submitted by Mr. Haskell;

* approved lifting a moratorium restriction on the harvest of fish to be caught in Lake Lure effective  on Wednesday, February 9, 2005;                              

* tentatively scheduled a joint workshop meeting with the Lake Advisory Committee to be held on Wednesday,  March 16, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in the town council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center;

* held a closed session meeting to discuss legal matters, attorney client privilege, review employment contract, and personnel matters; and

* approved budget amendments retroactive as of January 1, 2005, to increase the town manager's salary by $3,000.00 and increase the town manager's in town travel allowance by $1,200.00 per year.

SPECIAL MEETING: The special town council meeting with the zoning and planning board was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Town Council and the Zoning/Planning Board:

* held a discussion pertaining to the land use regulations as they relate to planned unit developments;

* discussed the meeting schedule for the zoning and planning board; that  board scheduled weekly meetings to be held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center to address issues relating to PUDs that have been identified and prioritized by town council; zoning and planning board members agreed to report back to town council in June with their recommendations; and

* held a discussion regarding enacting a moratorium to allow time needed to revise the land use regulations.

SPECIAL MEETING: The special town council meeting was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m., in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Town Council:

* adopted Ordinance No. 05-02-15 as amended, imposing a temporary moratorium on the development of any new planned unit development (as defined by Lake Lure=s zoning regulations) on land equal to or greater than ten acres in size within the town limits for a period up to 90 days from February 15, 2005 to May 16, 2005.  No applications or plans will be received, reviewed or approved for PUD's defined in section one of Ordinance No. 05-02-15 by the Town of Lake Lure during this temporary moratorium.  This temporary moratorium shall not apply to any conditional use permit applications for planned unit developments received and under consideration by the Town of Lake Lure prior to February 15, 2005; and

* scheduled a joint workshop meeting with the Lake Advisory Committee to be held on Wednesday,  March 16, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. in the town council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.                                    

                     GOLF COURSE NEWS

           by Sheila Spicer, Pro Shop Clerk

 We would like to extend a hearty welcome to Jeff Hine, our new assistant superintendent. Jeff replaces Sean Petersen who has moved to Florida to take a position at a landscape company.

Jeff comes to us from Cleveland County Club in Shelby. He worked there for 12 years, so he has plenty of experience on the golf course. We think everyone will like him so come by and say hello.

Starting March 1, 2005 our winter rates will be ending. The weekday rate for 18 holes with a cart will be $22.75 for non-members and $11.75 for members. The weekend rate for 18 holes with a cart will be $26.85 for non-members and $12.85 for members.

Also starting March 1, the pro shop will remain open until 5:00 pm. This means that carts can stay out until 7:00 pm. These hours will stay in effect until the time change in April.

Speaking of April, start clearing Friday nights on your calendar. Our popular Friday night Captain's Choice will start April 8, 2005 at 5:30 pm. For those of you who have not played our Captain's Choice before it is played every Friday during the spring and summer at 5:30 pm. The cost is $12.50 per person ($7.50 for the 9 hole cart fee and $5.00 for the pot). Teams are chosen each Friday night, so don't worry if you don't have a partner. If you have any questions you can call us at (828) 625-4472. 

 UPPER BROAD RIVER WATERSHED

PROTECTION PROGRAM

by , Erosion Control Specialist

 

     If you read my previous article about fish and water quality and were distressed over what you read, then I'm glad I have your attention.  Over the next few months I'm going to give you some tips on how to reduce the amount of sediment leaving your property or construction site and going into our streams.

Sediment, as we all know if you have been reading my articles, is the single biggest pollutant of the waters in the Upper Broad Watershed.  Not only does it have environmental costs, but economical costs as well.  If we will take the time to consider our properties and the natural dynamics affecting that property that contribute to erosion and sedimentation, we can make preparations to reduce the amount of material leaving the site.

If you have ever gotten a land disturbance permit in Lake Lure, there is a section on the application that asks what measures will be taken to prevent erosion.  The most common thing that is written down in this section is silt fence.  Silt fence is required for most land-disturbing activities in Lake Lure due to our steep slopes and high runoff rates.  The primary purpose for silt fence is to serve as a temporary containment of sediment around the perimeter of a construction site.  Silt fence typically is nothing more than a filter cloth that is held up by wooden or metal stakes.  The cloth captures sediment by backing up sediment laden water, allowing the soil particles to settle out.  Any water that makes it through the fence is relatively clear.

Silt fence is most often used as a perimeter shield, sort of a last line of defense if you will.  However, in most cases, silt fence is almost never properly installed and no other erosion control measures have been put in place, rendering the silt fence ineffective.  Most people try to use silt fence as a diversion and this is simply an ineffective use of the measure.  Here are some things to consider about silt fence:

 _    Silt fences should not be installed as a primary erosion control

measure.  They should be used in conjunction with other erosion control measures.

_    Silt fences must be maintained.  Because their primary purpose is to settle out

material, they are naturally going to fill up.

This material must be periodically

removed in order to maintain the

 efficiency of the measure.

_    Silt fences must be installed properly.  The most common mistake made with

silt fence is failure to bury the bottom

 portion of it.  When this doesn't

happen, everything runs underneath it and

 will often blow the fence out.

_    Silt fence will not be adequate if the drainage area is too large or the slope too

steep.  This will cause the fences to be

overwhelmed because of the sediment

load.

_    DO NOT install silt fence across streams, channels, or any location where

concentrated water flow is anticipated.

 There are other things to consider as well but for lack of space I have not included everything.  There are lots of materials and publications that are available that have information on the subject of silt fences.

Silt fences are most effective when used in conjunction with a diversion of some kind (usually an earthen berm).  To install silt fence properly you should dig a trench approximately 8 inches deep and 4 inches wide, or a V-trench along the line of the fence.  You next need to drive in your posts to which the fence will be attached. If you buy pre-assembled fence from Lowe's or Home Depot it typically comes with the stakes already fitted into the fence.  Personally I have some apprehension with pre-fab silt fence but that's a discussion for another time.  Unroll the silt fence and begin driving the posts into the ground along the length of your trench.  When the fence is up there should not be any slack (any droop) in the fabric.  It should be relatively tight.  The lower foot of cloth should go into the trench, with 8 inches going down, and 4 inches lapping toward the upslope side of the trench.  Bury the cloth and backfill with compacted earth or gravel.  If that cloth is not buried, it is not installed correctly.  This is one of the things that I look for when I inspect construction sites.  If not done properly, you may be asked to correct the problem upon inspection.  To reduce maintenance, dig out a shallow sediment storage area on the upslope side of the fence where sedimentation is expected and provide good access for cleanout and maintenance.  After the site has been stabilized, silt fence can be removed.

As I said before, silt fence is like the last line of defense for sediment control.  It is used primarily as perimeter defense to prevent sediment from encroaching on adjoining properties, roads, rights-of-way, streams, etc.  The NC DENR Land Quality Section offers classes for contractors and developers that show how to properly install erosion control measures and offer what is called a Clean Water Contractor Certification.  Encourage all contractors and developers that you know to participate in this class.  The benefits are good for everyone.  Clean Water Contractors get recommendations from DENR as reliable protectors of water quality and are preferred among landowners wanting to improve or develop their property.  Go online to find out more about this workshop at http://www.dlr.enr.state.nc.us.

Erosion control measures are only affective if they are implemented correctly.  Some online resources to consider on the subject are found at the following addresses:

http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/stewardship/pdf/laymans_road_guide.pdf

http://www.tetratech-ffx.com/wstraining/pdf/esc_guide.pdf

If you have questions about erosion control measures, come by the town hall and talk to me.  I will do what I can to answer your questions.  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.

                

       2005 BOAT PERMITS

The 2005 boat permits will be available for purchase starting April 1^st. Our office hours are 8:30 to 4:30 - Monday through Friday.

You must have your current state registration for each boat with you when you come to purchase your 2005 permits. Also this year, proof of liability insurance of at least $300,000.00 per boat per incident must be presented at that time. If the boat is used commercially in any way (including rented along with a house rental) you must have proof of a $1,000,000.00 liability policy with the Town listed as co-insured. The deadline for purchasing a commercial license this year was March 1^st.

If you are out of town and would like to purchase your permit(s) by mail please call 828-625-9983 Ext. 0 (Vicki) or Ext. 129 (Linda)  and ask us to fax or mail you a permit form. After you receive the form, fill it out and return it along with a copy of your current state registration, proof of liability insurance and a check in the amount of the permit plus $2 for a mail processing fee to Town of Lake Lure, P O Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746. 

 

 

        LAKE LURE YOUTH CENTER'S   HAPPENINGS

     by The Kids At The Lake Lure Youth Center

Good news! We have had a qualified applicant apply for the position here at the youth center. We are now conducting a background check and hopefully will be back open soon.

  

NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

 

Proposed "Resort at Lake Lure" - The public is invited to participate in reviewing the plans for the proposed "Resort at Lake Lure". There will be two opportunities for the public to receive a presentation of the plans for the project and to contribute their thoughts and ideas. On Thursday, March 17 at the Lake View Restaurant Banquet Room from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm and on Saturday, March 19 at the Town of  Lake Lure Municipal Building from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

 

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.