by Jim Proctor

The next Diamond Jubilee event is the Isothermal Singers concert at the Gazebo in Morse Park on May 5^th. There will also be a talent  show.  Call for more details.

The Remembrance Walk is nearly completed.  Please go see the beautiful new landscape project.  Engraved bricks are still available.

 TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

by H.M. AChuck@ Place

Infrastructure

 In February, I started a series of three articles discussing the town=s three separate utility systems - water, wastewater and hydro-electric.  I wrote about the water system that month, the wastewater system in March and this is the last installment.

 Hydro-electric System 

It was the intent of the builders of the Lake Lure dam in 1925-26 that its primary purpose would be to create a beautiful lake as the centerpiece of a huge resort/real estate development.  Maintaining the lake at a near constant level was very important to establish and hold lake shore property values and to achieve the goal of making Lake Lure a prime destination for recreation.  The Broad River, Cane Creek and Buffalo Creek, as well as several smaller creeks were a perpetual source of water for the lake and the dam was designed with spillways to regulate the water level.  As there would be an almost constant flow of water over the dam when finished, Dr. Morse and his company also built a hydro-electric plant in the depths of the dam to harness the power of that water.

That original plant is still in use today.  It consists of two hydro-electric turbine generators, one rated at 1200 KW and the other at 2200 KW.  Water is drawn through a screened intake (that large vertical cylindrical object in the lake just in front of the dam) and down through the penstock and past the turbines under the power plant floor where it causes the turbines to spin at up to 500 RPM.  The turbine shafts are attached to large armatures and the spinning of those armatures within fixed coils generates the electricity.

It is a common misconception that the electricity that we generate is used to provide power to the town.  This has never been the case.  We do not generate sufficient power for this and, more importantly, do not generate power 24 hours per day.  Because the primary purpose of the lake is recreation, we do not draw the level down during periods of low water flow; we only run the plant when there is enough water coming down the river to operate the turbines.  The power that is generated is sold to Duke Power Company through the substation above the dam.  We have a contract with Duke that sets out the rate that they will pay and also establishes a daily Apeak period@ during which they will pay a premium for our power because it is the time of day when usage is at its highest. 

In past years, the plant has been a major source of income for the town, funding silt removal and many other projects.  Unfortunately for us all, three things happened to change things, at least for now.  First, Mother Nature has imposed near drought conditions on much of the country, including our valley, for the past several years.  This has reduced the normal flow of the Broad River and its tributaries.  Second, some of the 70-plus year old generating equipment experienced a series of breakdowns, starting with an explosion in an electrical cabinet two and one-half years ago.  This caused the loss of use of one of the two turbines and the concurrent loss of income.  It took two years to get both turbines back on line at the same time.  Finally,  our contract with Duke expired in 1999 and the new contract has much less favorable terms.  The result of these problems has been a drastic reduction in income from this source; and while we have had a slight increase in rainfall this spring and while both generators are working again, the income is no where near what it used to be.

In the last two years, we have upgraded much of the electrical equipment, including the interconnection with Duke Power, both for safety and for efficiency.  We also plan to relocate much of the control equipment to a new more secure building at the base of the dam and purchase new remote monitoring and operating equipment.  The dam, itself is in very good shape and is inspected both by our staff and by state inspectors on a regular basis. 

As  a postscript to this article, I need to inform everyone that we have a heightened level of security at the dam and power plant since September 11.  While the likelihood of the Lake Lure Dam being the target of international terrorism is small, we don=t want to take any chances.  Therefore, the dam is not open for public visits and the entire area is posted against trespassers.  Our police check the facility on a periodic basis and our utilities staff is being extra vigilant.  Therefore, please do not attempt to enter the grounds for any reason, including fishing in the river, and be aware that pedestrians are not permitted on the bridge above the dam.

 TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC

 REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, April 9, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

   Under the Aconsent agenda,@ Council:

* approved the minutes of March 12, 2002 (regular meeting);

 * approved request from Clark Kessel to suspend the town=s alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer, and wine during a birthday party being held inside the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on December 14, 2002 from 9:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.;

 * approved request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club to: (1) suspend the town=s peddling ordinance on May 25-27, 2002 for the AMemorial Day Festival@ and (2) use of town property surrounding the Lake Lure Arcade Building including property along Pool Creek for selling crafts and  food, fund raising, and music during this event; and

 * approved request from the Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association to suspend the town=s alcohol ordinance in order to serve beer and wine during their annual meeting in the Community Hall of the Lake Lure Municipal Center on July 5, 2002 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

   In other activities, Town Council:

 * held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 02-04-09 amending Chapter 40, Streets and Sidewalks, and Chapter 91, Subdivision Regulations in regards to regulating the construction of private and public streets, driveways, temporary construction roads and logging roads;

 * held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 02-04-09A amending Chapter 92, Zoning Regulations of the Code of Ordinances, defining terms relating to required yards and establishing exceptions to required yards;

 * tabled hearing per Patricia Hyatt=s request until the next regular town council meeting on May 14, 2002 to appeal from the decision of the Board of Adjustment (Case #ZV-02-02, Patricia Hyatt);

 * approved request from Richard Coley to erect a sign at the town marina for scenic boat tours and boat rentals;

 * approved request from Richard Coley to improve town-owned property including a telescope and new doors at the town marina ; a changing area at the town beach; deferred action on the request for balloon netting at the town beach;

 * heard a request from Louis Hughes regarding boat permits; approved allowing commercial boat operators to purchase boat permits at the same rate as last year during this season for 2002;

 * approved the recommendation from the Lake Lure Golf Course Advisory Committee to limit memberships at the Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course to 200 memberships;

 * approved a silt removal preventive maintenance plan;

 * scheduled a special town council meeting on Monday, April 22, 2002, 9:00 a.m. to hold a workshop with town staff members to review the town=s capital improvements program; and

 *  held closed session meeting: (1) discussion on matters involving attorney client privilege under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(1) and G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3); (2) discussion on matters involving attorney client privilege under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) regarding ongoing litigation between Fairfield Mountains POA, Rutherford County, and the Town of Lake Lure; and (3) discussion on matters involving attorney client privilege under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) regarding Patricia Hyatt vs the Town of Lake Lure.

TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

by Betty Hinson, Personnel Director

 Tim Spittle, employee of the month, has been with the Lake Lure Police Department since June 2000. Tim was previously employed with the Bumcombe County Sheriff=s Department as a detention officer. Tim graduated from North Bumcombe High School, attended Western Carolina University and graduated from the University of N.C. at Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Tim excels in tactical training and frequently goes beyond the call of duty for our town, and for that we say Athank you Tim.

  COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

by Chief Mike Bustle

Ladies of the Gorge:  Don=t forget to stop by the police department or ask an officer for a survey to complete for the upcoming ladies self defense class, Personal Protection for Women, currently being codified by Sgt. Rick Tullis.  The survey addresses such topics as interest, content and format for the course of instruction which will aid Sgt. Tullis in preparation of the class so that it will be most beneficial to ladies of the Gorge.  Upon completion of the surveys, the class will be scheduled and announced.

    Boater Safety Course: The Lake Lure Police Department and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will soon be hosting a state certified Boater Safety Course.  The course will be held in the Community Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, May 22nd and 23rd, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  This required 6 hour course will cover all state and local boat safety aspects, laws and ordinances for safe boat operation on Lake Lure and other inland waterways.  Please contact the town hall (625-9983) or the police department (625-4685) to register for this helpful course of instruction. Class size of at least ten participants is required and certificates will be awarded upon completion of the two-day course.   

  ANew@ all-terrain vehicle: The police department is the proud new owner of an ex-Marine Humvee all-terrain vehicle. The vehicle was obtained free of charge from N.C. Law Enforcement Support Services in Raleigh. The vehicle was then completely reconditioned by the transport experts attached to the National Guard Armory in Asheville, also completely free of charge.  The vehicle is capable of traveling most anywhere in the undeveloped areas of Lake Lure and is now in like-new condition, thanks to Sgt. Metcalf and others at the Armory.

     Residence Identification:   Spring is a great time to enhance residential security.  Please make certain that your residence is clearly identified at your street to facilitate emergency services personnel finding you and yours during potential emergency situations.  Contact your individual community police officer for further advice on making your residence a safe and secure abode.

GOLF COURSE NEWS

by Chris Shute, Golf Course Manager 

April showers bring May flowers and even longer, greener, thicker grass in the fairways like we haven=t  seen in years.  Chris and Steve have been kept busy mowing and mowing and mowing and.....well, that=s what we wanted.  Luckily no golfer has, to my knowledge, held up a one iron during one of the afternoon thunderstorms just to see if what is said is true.  You golfers know what I mean.  By the way, that was not a challenge.  There is a challenge coming up however; it=s called: CAPTAIN=S CHOICE 

The popular Captain=s Choice is back!  We will begin this years= Friday afternoon tournaments at 5:00 p.m. on May 3rd.  All players for these tournaments are welcome whether or not you are member.  The cost per player is $12.50 including tax. $5.00 of this fee goes to the prize fund.  The other $7.50 is for the regular cart fee rate on Friday.  There is no Agreens fee@ charge.  There will be a charge of $3.75 for all non-players to compensate for the added cart usage.  All cart operators must be licensed drivers for insurance reasons.  Any cart that has a driver who is not licensed will be asked to comply with the rules.  Non-compliance will result in eviction from the tournament and forfeiture of any monies paid.  Compliance with these new rules will facilitate a smoother round. Management greatly appreciates your past and continued patronage of this activity.  Thanks again, and may you all be blessed with one-putts.

LAKE LURE YOUTH PROGRAM

by Butch and Donna Kelly

 Hello to everyone from the Lake Lure Youth Center.  I am happy to share some good news with you this month concerning our very significant program.  Our facility is currently catering to 53 youth on a regular basis, and you will find an average of 34 kids in and out of our doors on a given day.  Although we have seen some youth move to other towns recently, we have also watched them being replaced with an influx of smiling faces.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have helped us with so many items in the past, such as - foodstuff, arts and craft materials, computer software, educational games, along with various sports equipment and gear.  I would like to see some of you come and volunteer your time and talents on a weekly or monthly basis, or to just relate to our officials some of the comments or suggestions you may have that could help us succeed in an even greater way.     To some of you who may not be informed, we are assisting families with children of all school ages from 5 to 18, who largely ride their buses to the visitors center daily.  We welcome any kids who are car riders from school, and encourage parents to drop them off here at the community center any time needed.  Our hours are 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Also, in keeping with last year, we have weekly sessions you may want to look into which provide a forum for our county agencies to come and improve our understanding of the way local government works, and just what kind of benefits there are available to the general public through these types programs.  The sessions take place on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 pm each week during the months of April and May.

I am looking forward to meeting many of you in the future, as you make your way by to see our facility, and to give us new ideas on how we can improve the center.  We all especially thank Chief Bustle who has gone to great lengths to see that we have the funding and direction needed to continue to grow.

 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD

by Hal Hermann

 The Parks and Recreation Board would like to thank all the citizens that showed up for the annual AAdopt A Highway Beautification Program@.  It was a great start to a cleaner highway. We would also like to give a special thanks to Gerald and Pat Bowen, Harvey Jacques and Ed Dittmer for all their help.

 NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

 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 Hugh or Nancy Pinney at 828-625-0867.

 Lake Lure Fun Center is now open Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. as of April 20th.  Starting May 6th, they will be open weekdays after school and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.

 Lake Lure Beach and Water Works is open for the weekends starting Saturday, May 4th (weather permitting). Starting Memorial Day weekend, they will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.