President’s  Comments

The year 2003 begins with increased tension around the world and a peaceful quietness in the forest around the lake. Water levels are down 6 to 7 feet and many days are cold, overcast and gray. News that we can share is at a premium, but thank goodness it is good.

Included with the newsletter is the LBCA Financial Summary for the years ending September 30, 2002 and 2001. Thanks to your continued support, our finances are strong and the LBCA can continue to sustain our fire departments and other entities. At our last Board of Directors Meeting, your Board recommended increased support for worthwhile local charities, hoping to increase our visibility in the community.

Approximately 850 membership applications for the year 2003 have been received, which is a little behind our 2002 membership level. If your application has not been mailed please do so as soon as possible. The directory cutoff is soon upon us. And, should you have a neighbor and/or friend on the lake who is not an LBCA member, please do a little recruiting. We need to keep growing.

Tri-Cord’s LaPrades Development Plan Changes

On December 23rd, the Rabun County Commissioners approved Tri-Cord Capital LLC’s special permit request to build homes closer together, thereby creating a larger common area on the property. Jim Adams, Tri-Cord’s Managing Director of Development stated that the new plan will create more of a village with increased green space. The county also agreed to review a resolution that would preserve a portion of the property as green space in perpetuity.

LBCA Board Members reviewed Tri-Cord’s new plan prior to the commissioner’s meeting and determined that the new plan did not deviate from the company’s original land use plan, did not include a rezoning request and was perhaps an improvement for the lake. Tri-Cold’s new plan still incorporates the building of a restaurant, marina and commercial area within the village theme. (Note that there are fewer houses in the new plan.)

Fire Department Updates

ISO recently reviewed our new fireboat and its ability to deliver water to a location. We have not received a rating on the boat or how it will affect our insurance, but we have been made aware that the ability to deliver water is a key ingredient to lower ratings.

Lakemont Fire Department, covering Lake Rabun, recently applied for a review of their rating. Lake Rabun recently installed standpipes and their fireboat (identical to our own) can push water hundreds of feet from the shore to pumpers and tankers all around their lake — significantly increasing Lakemont’s fire fighting capabilities.

Any news from ISO regarding our boat and Lakemont’s review will be shared on receipt. The LBCA’s solicitation for our own standpipes will begin in March.

Melton and Kilby Join County Commission

In December, Eston Melton and Virgil Kilby were sworn in as new members of the Rabun County Board of Commissioners by Judge Larry Cannon, who called the event a “historic changing of the guard” in that they defeated long term incumbents at the polls. Both campaigned on the principle that good planning and creative thinking were essential to support Rabun County’s continued growth.

Jim Holmes and Ben Meluskey had the opportunity to meet with Messrs. Melton and Kilby before they took office and communication links and protocols between the LBCA and the new County Commissioners were established, with assurances of openness by all parties attending the meeting.

Copyright © 1999 - 2009 by Lake Burton Civic Association and Scot Roberge.  All rights reserved.