The Smoky Mountain News reports that Lake Junaluska residents are attempting for the third year in a row to merge with the town of Waynesville. A bill is pending in the state legislature, but “despite widespread support among lake residents to merge with Waynesville, [previous attempts were] stymied by behind-the-scenes political forces,” says Becky Johnson of SMN:
The Lake Junaluska community will make a renewed bid to merge with the town of Waynesville this year, this time with the added measure of a formal vote.
A bill will be introduced in the General Assembly this week, once again seeking the state’s blessing to make Lake Junaluska an official part of neighboring Waynesville. ..
Those who support merging with Waynesville say it is vital from an economic perspective. Homeowner dues can no longer keep pace with the cost of meeting the community’s needs — particularly the looming price tag of major water, sewer and street repairs.
[But] Walt Logan, a second-home owner at Lake Junaluska who is against annexation, disagrees that the lake needs rescuing.
“The whole premise that there is a calamity coming with the sewer pipes and the water lines is a false premise,” Logan said. …
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