President's Comments From Bill Bomar

This Newsletter contains both sad news about the devastating fire that destroyed three homes on the lake during the early morning hours of November 16th, and good news about an addendum to the Georgia Power Company lease allowing the assignment of the lease to a family entity.

At this time, I do not believe that the exact cause of the fire is known. It is tragic that such an event occurred, and my sympathy goes out to the families who lost their homes. While the Volunteer Fire Departments could not save the three homes that burned because those homes were already burning when the call was first received, they were successful in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to other homes on adjacent lots. Our thanks go to all of the men who responded so promptly on that call. Fire prevention is our best defense against such losses. Take the time to make a check for fire hazards around your home.

Burton One, the Lake's rescue/fire boat, again proved its value. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution in support of the Volunteer Fire Departments or Burton One, you may do so by writing a check to Lake Burton Civic Association Foundation and mailing it to P.O. Box 1988, Clayton, GA 30525. Contact me if you would like to contribute appreciated stock.

The enclosed letter explains certain revisions to the lease that Georgia Power Company is making available to lessees of property at Georgia Power Company lakes. The changes result from the close cooperation between Georgia Power Company and your Association. The ability to assign the lease to a Qualified Family Owned Entity should be beneficial to many Association Members who wish to consider various options related to the future ownership and transfers of this valuable property within their families. Qualified family members are now able to own units of a family entity that is the lessee of the property and/or owner of other assets.

If you have not sent your $75 dues and directory information update back to LBCA, I again ask you to do so now. The directory cutoff is January 1, 2002. Encourage your neighbors to also join. Many things are happening and we need your support.

Please contact any of our Officers or Directors with your questions or concerns. My email address is bbomar@windhambrannon.com.

Fire Ravages Lake Burton

Tragedy struck Lake Burton in the early morning of November 16th when the homes of Jerry and Lin Daws, Ray and Linda Morris, and Ray and Barbara Trapnell burned to the ground on the north end of Wildflower Circle. The three homes fell victim during the night as the fire went unnoticed from house to house because of the intense heat. Ranny Whitney, Wildcat VFD, who was at the scene minutes after the alarm was received, noted "The Daws and Morris homes had fire through the roof when I arrived and the Trapnell home was in flames a few minutes later."

In all, six volunteer fire departments responded to the alarm, but the homes were beyond saving before an alarm was received. This might be because the Trapnell's home, the last to succumb to the blaze, was the only home equipped with a fire alarm system with telephone input to a remote provider . . . in this case The Mountain Patrol. When interviewed about the fire's impact, Barbara Trapnell said, "Losing our lake home is sad; sadder still is the loss of 22 years of memories, but thank goodness, no one was hurt".

The Volunteer Fire Departments were able to contain the fire to just the three homes. The fireboat and Wildcat VFD protected one side of the blaze and Tallulah-Persimmon VFD and The Lakes VFD the other, with the other VFDs in reserve. Burton One remained on the scene through Friday afternoon to continue to pump water on the smoldering embers. Our thanks to all of the firefighters who were able to save the other homes from destruction. They agreed that they didn't need to see another fire like this one, perhaps the largest in the history of the Lake.

Power Lines Issue

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking your comments to help determine whether to allow GTC/HEMC to build the proposed 115KV high transmission line across public lands, i.e., National Forest land. If you would like to comment, you should do so before December 7, 2001. Comments can be mailed to:  Dave Jensen, U.S. Forest Service, 809 Highway 441 South, Clayton, GA 30525 - or emailed to bboydstun@fs.fed.us or powerlineissue@yahoo.com.

LBCA Golf Team Defeats Rabun / Seed Teams

On October 19, 2001 the LBCA Golf Team defeated a combined team from Lake Rabun and Seed by a score of 4 to 3 at the Orchard Country Club. Representing the LBCA were Art Benton, C.W. Marlow, George Gerakitis, John Whitlock, Les Brannan, Wilds Pierce, Larry Jamison, David Eldridge, Bob Watt  Sr., Bob Watt Jr., Fred Hatterick, Bill Robeson, T. Irvin and Ben Meluskey. Team members and spouses had an opportunity to socialize with other lake team members at a reception following the tournament.

The Three Lakes Trophy, now in LBCA's possession, is available for viewing at the Georgia Power Company Land Office.

Transfer Fee Increase (An Opinion)

Georgia Power Company is going to increase the leased lot transfer fee from $3,000 to $10,000 on a prospective basis for new leases. The fee will not be applied to currently existing leases, and will not be applied to family transfers.

The LBCA Board of Directors debated at length as to whether or not LBCA should take exception to the increase. The Board decided the current members of LBCA did not have a standing to take exception since the fee increase did not apply to them. In addition, Georgia Power Company Management has mandated that the costs of managing the Lakes become a cash breakeven operation. A transfer fee increase seems a desirable option to other cash generating alternatives the company could impose.

Ben Meluskey, Editor

Timeshare On Lake Burton?

A house on Murray Cove is being offered to prospective buyers on a shared ownership basis, with each owner having tenancy of the property for a specified number of weeks per year. Northern Exposure, a vacation ownership club based on Hilton Head, South Carolina, claims they are selling to co-purchasers similar to members of a family buying a property. Rabun County officials are currently investigating whether or not Northern Exposure's proposal is in compliance with county zoning ordinances. In addition, Northern Exposure's sales literature depicts a structure quite different than the structure on the property and neither Georgia Power nor Rabun County has been approached for construction permits. Several LBCA Board Members are maintaining close contact with this saga as it unfolds.

Community Christmas Caroling

If you're at the lake the evening of December 18th, go over to the Wildcat VFD on Route 197 (just north of LaPrades) around 7 PM and join in. Bring a dessert. Coffee will be provided.

Calendar Of Events

Copyright © 1999 - 2004 by Lake Burton Civic Association and Scot Roberge.  All rights reserved.