Message from the Mayor - $50,000 Donation for Heart Monitor

I would like to thank the United Way of Rutherford County for their generosity to the Town of Lake Lure.  They presented Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster with a $50,000 donation to purchase a heart monitor for the Fire Department.  This heart monitor is crucial for the Firefights who are also Advance Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). The heart monitor allows the AEMTs to assess and treat cardiac emergencies in the field. It provides real-time data on a patient's heart rate and rhythm, allowing AEMTs to quickly identify and respond to issues like arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac abnormalities. Chief Waycaster is shown here with Abby Causey from United Way.The Town is in the process of consolidating the Fairfield Fire Department into the Lake Lure Fire Department to provide equitable fire and advance medical technician services throughout the entire community. In addition to improving emergency response times, this transition will likely reduce insurance costs for homeowners outside Town limits. Chief Waycaster stated, “We are very thankful for all our volunteer firefighters and will continue to utilize them under the new leadership.”  The Lake Lure Fire Department began providing staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week beginning in April.  Chief Waycaster will continue training for staff and volunteers and he welcomes new volunteers to apply to serve their community.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize three of our faithful Firefighters who were just promoted: Josh Hendrix – Lieutenant, Tommy Aley – Lieutenant, and Trey Lewis – Captain.  I thank these brave men for their service and congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions.

In March, the Town welcomed the new Advisory Board Members and thanked those who are continuing to serve.  Town Council held a training luncheon for them and discussed the significance of their roles.  I thank each of these individuals for their work on the Advisory Boards.  Their participation is more important than ever as we continue to work through the issues associated with the recovery from Hurricane Helene.  

ABC BOARD:

• Members remaining on the Board: Richard Sayles (Chair), Bob Cassano (Vice-Chair), Esther Lusk, Trace Boswell, and Peter O’Leary 

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT/LAKE STRUCTURE APPEALS BOARD:

• Members remaining on the Board: Neil Gurney (Chair), Al Joyner (Vice Chair), Mark Windfeldt, Melvin Owensby Kimberly Sayles, and David Lusk (Alternate)
• New Members: Anthony Steffel (Alternate) and Kathleen Hatfield (Alternate)

LAKE ADVISORY BOARD:

• Members remaining on the Board: Jim Lemmons (Chair), David Lusk (Vice Chair), Gary Hasenfus, Mark Helms, Sonya Ledford, and Richard Sayles

PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD:

• Members remaining on the Board: Robin Worcester (Chair), Daniel Bragdon (Vice Chair), Larry Czajoski, Matt Manzi, Ozzy McFarland, Jennifer Dittmer-Vivolo, Debbie Warren, and Dan Gorman (Alternate)

ZONING AND PLANNING BOARD:

• Members remaining on the Board: Randy Nelson (Chair), Charlie Ellis (Vice Chair), Mac Hillabush David Keenan, and Ken Williams
• New Member: Debra Warren

SHORT-TERM RENTAL BOARD

• All New Members: Scott Martin, Jennifer Romaine, Marla Machado, Beth Heer, and Trace Boswell

LAKE LURE STEERING COMMITTEE:

• Members remaining on the Board: Dana Bradley (Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director), Don Cason (Rutherford Tourism Development Authority Executive Director), Stephen Ford (Finance Director (Vice Chair), Jean Kaufman (Community Representative), Laura Krejci (Communications Director), Randy Nelson (Community Representative), Olivia Stewman (Town Manager), Carol Pritchett (Mayor), and Robin Worcester, Parks and Recreation Board (Chair)

As we continue to work through the recovery process, I want to thank all that have contributed to help us remove the unimaginable amount of debris, silt, and sedimentation from the Town and from the Lake. FEMA has approved two mission assignments for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  The USACE contracted with AshBritt Environmental to oversee the debris removal process from the surface of Lake Lure.  AshBritt has also utilized several local contractors to assist with this process.  This work has been ongoing for the past six months and they are now focused on removing the subsurface silt, sedimentation, and debris from the Lake. As of the timing of this article, they have removed the following:

• 43,677 cubic yards of debris from the right of way
• 32,921 cubic yards of debris from the water way
• 58,726 tons of sediment/sand removal 

We cannot thank FEMA, USACE, AshBritt, and all the local contractors enough for the work that has been done and the ongoing mission that is underway to restore Lake Lure.  The Town would not have been able to manage or afford this immense undertaking without their assistance.  Although we will be unable to open the Lake this summer season as this work is ongoing, we are forever grateful for all that is being done to help us get our “Lure” back!

As we continue to work through the recovery process, we want to ensure the public knows that the Town of Lake Lure is open!  You may have to pause for trucks or workers at times, but the views are worth the wait. Please visit our website at www.townoflakelure.com to learn about Places to Stay in the area and review our Lake Lure Restaurant Guide to enjoy a great meal out while you are here.  Our local businesses greatly appreciate your patronage!  

Here are some of the Town Parks that are currently open to the public.  You may learn more about these amenities by visiting the Town of

lake Lure Website.

• Dittmer-Watts Nature Trails
• Lake Lure Green Space
• Pool Creek Picnic Park

These amenities are in Lake Lure and are open to the public.

• Youngs Mountain
• Rumbling Bald and Apple Valley Golf Courses
• Chimney Rock State Park – Rumbling Bald Access

Ongoing work is taking place at Buffalo Creek Park, Weed Patch Mountain Trail, and Upper Boulder Trails by the AmeriCorps, Carolina Climbers Coalition, EcoForesters, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, and the Town of Lake Lure. This photo shows the crew hard at work on a recent trail work day.  We cannot thank these volunteers enough for their time and support!  I look forward to sharing the grand reopening of these trails as soon as they are accessible.

I am thrilled to announce that we opened up a portion of Morse Park for the public’s enjoyment this month.  The West end of the Park (near Town Hall) will continue to be used for the Lake restoration project. The Lake Lure Public Works Department has done a remarkable job clearing and landscaping the East end of Morse Park (near the Marina and Gazebo). This entrance opened to the public on April 25, 2025.  We commemorated this event with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration and an Arbor Day Program where planted several trees in the area.  The Town has also been approved for a grant for a replacement playground set which will be installed in Morse Park in June. I am so pleased that the public can enjoy a portion of Morse Park and our iconic Gazebo again. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.

• 5/26/25: Lake Lure Memorial Day Program
• 7/4/25: July 4^th Celebrations and Fireworks at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure
• 7/5/25: Lake Lure Community Independence Day Celebration with Fireworks in Lake Lure
• 10/4-5/25: Cycle NC Mountains to Coast event at Rumbling Bald in October
• 10/18-19/25: Lake Lure Fall Arts and Crafts Festival hosted by Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach 
• 11/11/25: Lake Lure Veterans Day Program

Please look for updates on additional Town Events on the website calendar.  New events are continuously being planned.  We are rebuilding our community and Lake Lure will be better than ever. We appreciate the support of our community and those that visit us in the Town of Lake Lure.