Message from the Mayor - Happy Independence Day!

By Carol Pritchett

July 2024

As you read this article I hope you are enjoying all that the Town of Lake Lure has to offer during the summer months!  As we enter July and celebrate Independence Day we are in the peak of the season.  Lake Lure has never looked so lovely. In addition to the beauty of the Lake and mountains views, I hope you are enjoying all the perineal and annual flowers that have been planted throughout Town, including the stunning floral hanging baskets.  Our Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department staff help maintain the beauty that surrounds us and I thank them for the dedication to their important role.

Left to right: Dean Givens, Dana Bradley, and Police Chief Sean Humphries

I am pleased to announce that Ms. Dana Bradley has been promoted to the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director position upon the retirement of Mr. Dean Givens this summer.  We thank Mr. Givens for his 18 years of service at the Town of Lake Lure and appreciate the continuity that Ms. Bradley will provide in her new leadership role. 

Elba Willette 

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Mrs. Elba Willette to Lake Lure.  Mrs. Willette joined the Town of Lake Lure staff on May 28, 2024 and was sworn in as the new Town Clerk that day.  Her last position before being hired in the Town of Lake Lure was at the Rutherford County Courthouse in the Estates and Probates Division. She has worked in the legal field for 20 years.  She has experience in all aspects of the law and win 2020 she returned to college to obtain an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.  When asked about her education she stated, “It’s never too late to achieve your dreams!” We are so pleased to have Ms. Willette serving as the new Town Clerk.

Trey Blackwood

Additionally, I would like to welcome our two college interns to Lake Lure, Mr. Trey Blackwell and Ms. Meghann Pitts. Mr. Blackwell is a Master of Public Administration student at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  He will be working with each department in the Town of Lake Lure in the coming months.  When asked about his internship, Mr. Blackwell shared the following.

 “I am thankful to be able to complete my summer internship with the Town of Lake Lure as I work toward completing my Master of Public Administration degree from Appalachian State University. Throughout my time here, I hope to connect and learn more about this beautiful community and work alongside other professionals. I continue to look forward to my time here this summer and to be able to enjoy all that Lake Lure has to offer!”

Meghann Pitts

Ms. Pitts is a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Community and Regional Planning student at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.  She will be working with the Community Development and Lake Operations Departments at the Town of Lake Lure during the coming months.  When asked what she will be working on during her internship, Ms. Pitts stated “During my internship, I'm getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Town of Lake Lure's operations while learning and working with the fine folks here on a few special projects. I'm grateful for the Town of Lake Lure's Community Development Team and Lake Operations Team for allowing me the opportunity to assist them during the summer months." 

Fortunately, even though the Lake is back up to full pond, the work to install a Reservoir Drain at the Lake Lure Dam is able to continue. Morgan Corporation is overseeing this project and you can see the work taking place at the dam as you drive by. This work includes a concrete bulkhead, metal portal door, and metal trash rack which have been transported by barge from the Broad River in Morse Park over to the Dam in recent weeks. This will be what seals off the Dam so they can install the 72” drain pipe and two valves. The project team finished pouring concrete that will hold the Jet Flow Valve at the back side of the dam, which will diffuse flow when the Town opens the valve. To date, the project has poured close to 1,000 Cubic Yards of concrete, around 100 concrete trucks.  You can see the diver’s barge and the equipment barge in the photo below. Divers are performing work from the barges at the Dam.

Pouring concrete behind Lake Lure Dam

The Town of Lake Lure purchased the 72” Gate Valve and a 60” Jet Flow Valve that will serve as the Reservoir Drain. The valves have been specifically made for the Lake Lure Dam and will allow the Town to drain the Lake down by as much as 20 feet, if needed. This is an emergency preparedness feature that is required by the North Carolina Dam Safety Office in the event the Lake needs to be lowered during a significant storm event or for specific infrastructure work.

Reservoir Drain Project at the Lake Lure Dam

If you are boating in the area, please note that "Do Not Enter" signs have been placed on the buoys near the Dam. The boom that is normally at the Lake Lure Dam is temporarily down for the work that is being completed. The "Do Not Enter" signs mark where traffic needs to stop, unless you are authorized to enter, or you have a home past the "Do Not Enter" signs. Thank you for your compliance in not entering this area while this work is taking place. Please stay tuned for updates on this important project in the coming months.

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

·     Lake Lure Farmers Market: Friday’s from 4-7 (through October 2024) in Morse Park 

·     Warm Water Fishing with a Ranger: July 16, 17 & 24 from 9 – 11 AM in Pool Creek Picnic Park

·     Fishing with a Ranger: July 21, 22 & 31 from 9 – 11 AM in Morse Park

·     Rumbling Bald 4th of July Celebration with Fireworks: July 4 at 9:30 PM at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure

·     Community Independence Day Celebration: July 6 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM at the Lake Lure Beach

Continue to enjoy your summer in Lake Lure with these and other opportunities that our Town has to offer.  Please stay tuned to the Town News at www.townoflakelure.com for daily updates and our calendar of meetings and events. Thank you for all you do to help create our unique community as we continue to work together to preserve Lake Lure for current and future generations.