Message from the Mayor – Appointment of New Town Manager Olivia Stewman and Upcoming Events

By Carol Pritchett

May-June 2024

I was pleased to announce that Town Council appointed Olivia Stewman as the new Town Manager effective Wednesday, April 3, 2024.  We are very pleased to promote Ms. Stewman to the Town Manager role.  She has a stellar work record in Lake Lure, having served as the Town Clerk since 2021 and as Interim Town Manager previously during her tenure in Lake Lure. Ms. Stewman’s appointment will allow the Town to move forward seamlessly with the critical work that is underway.  We will be holding a Welcome Celebration for her at the May 14, 2024 Town Council Meeting so please come out and congratulate Ms. Stewman on her new role. 

When interviewed about her new position, Ms. Stewman shared, "It is with great appreciation and excitement that I accept the position of Town Manager. I look forward to working with Town Council, staff, and the community as we strive to continuously improve Lake Lure.”

We are very thankful to have our beautiful Lake Lure back again for the spring and summer seasons.  As always, we appreciate everyone’s support when the Lake was drawn down for our critical infrastructure projects. One of the important projects that has been underway during the 2024 Winter Lake Drawdown is the construction of the Lake Lure Dam Reservoir Drain.  In March 2024, Morgan Corporation coordinated a 116 cubic yard concrete pour which took 11 trucks worth of concrete. This was Mass Pour #3 of 14 total concrete pours that are planned. Most of the excavation work is complete and Morgan Corporation is on schedule with everything related to the project.  These mass concrete pours will help brace the Dam and house the 72” drain pipe and valves once they are installed.  You will be seeing Morgan Corporation float out barges on the Lake to begin installing a concrete bulkhead and metal portal “door” in the coming weeks. This will allow the workers to seal an area where the 72” hole will be drilled through the dam. We are very pleased with their progress on this project.

In addition to the ongoing work that is taking place in Lake Lure, we have quite a few special programs coming up in May and June and we want to be sure you have these events on your calendar. 

• Lake Lure Arts and Craft Festival on May 11, 2024 from 10 – 5 and May 12, 2024 from 10 – 4 in  Lake Lure Town Center across from the Lake Lure Beach.
• Town Manager Welcome Celebration on May 14, 2024 at 5:00 in Lake Lure Town Hall
• Lake Lure Spring Classic Boat and Car Show on May 18, 2024 from 10 – 4 in Lake Lure Town Center at the Lake Lure Beach and across the street.
• Lake Lure Memorial Day Program on May 27, 2024 at 9 at the Lake Lure Veterans Memorial,  across from Lake Lure Beach.
• Lake Lure Olympiad Lure of the Lake Swim on June 8, 2024 from 8 - 12.  Register to race or come out and support the racers.
• Lake Lure Music Festival’s “Bluegrass Concert” with Sister Sadie on June 8, 2024 at 6 at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure.

For all our visitors, we hope you will come out and join us for these wonderful events!  For all our local residents, we count on seeing you there as well!  Thank you to all who are coordinating these meaningful programs for our community

And thank you all for your ongoing support as we continue to work together to preserve Lake Lure for future generations.