Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / Aug. 25, 1988, edition 1 / Page 1
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Wolf Laurel Ski Area To Expand By H.D. KOONTZ III The News Record Kdlior A former ski inMructor who came to the United States 32 years ago wants to give Madison County a taste of his native Switzerland. Sepp (i rounder, president of the Wolf Laurel Ski Corporation, said he plans to develop 140 acres of land as skiing area at the resort in northern Madison County. "My interest is to have a first-class ski area with a European at mosphere," Gmunder, a native of Switzerland, said the other day at his mountaintop home. Gmunder is in the process of pur chasing the ski slope portion of Wolf Laurel Resort, which was originally developed in the mid-1970s by Bald Mountain Development. Last year the original developers sold the golf course, restaurant, the pro shop, the inn and 1,800 acres of land suitable for development to a Florida-based partnership -- the Stokes-Os'teen Communities Inc. and Walter Williams Realty Co. The ski slope was not included in that sale. timunder. who said he had "an agreement" with the owners, says he plans a two-phase development which could be completed within three to four years. The first phase will involve an in vestment or $1.7 million, including purchase price, and the addition of three more ski trails. The ski area will be doubled from about 25 to SO acres, he said Eventually, 140 acres will be developed for skiing. Now, there is one four-passenger chair lift from the existing base facilities to the top of the mountain. Umunder plans to install a new, Austrian-made Doppelmayr lift. "We will concentrate during the next two years to finish the existing area to make it very useful," Gm under said. "This means we will change the lift and will be adding and increasing the snow-making system 200 percent." Gmunder also plans to improve the parking facilities, the ski lodge and the rental shop at the resort. "Phase two will mean an additional 90 acres, for a total ski area of 140 acres," he said. There will be another four passenger lift installed also, he add ed. "If the ski use increases and we have a full house, in two years we'll go ahead and lay out the trails." This winter Cmunder anticipates hiring 60 to 70 fulltime and parttime workers at a payroll of about $400,000. If all goes according to the 53-year old developer's plans, the resort will employ up to 200 people during the season and 60 people year round at a payroll of 1800,000. Phase two of the operation will cost about $3 million, he said. It won't happen overnight, he ad mitted. "We expect to get about a 20 per cent increase over last year," Gmunder said. Last year 60,000 skiiers visited the resort, a figure Gmunder said was "really not that much." The season begins Thanksgiving Day this year. Gmunder also said the snow making system will double its capaci -Continued on Page 2 Prosecutors May Try Case Again In Jan. By II I). KOONTZ III The News Record Editor Superior Court Judge Robert W. Kirby declared a jnistrial in the murder case against Jon C. Thorsen after the jury failed to reach a verdict Thursday. Aug. 18. This was the second time within the past six months in which a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case against Thorsen, accused of shooting his wife, Claudia, to death in their South Bear Creek Road trailer more than a year ago The Madison County District At torney's office said after Kirby declared the mistrial that it may re try the case i-urly next year. District^. James T. Rusher said f\e may request a change of venue' because of the publicity the trial has received in Madison County. Rusher said this week he believed the prosecution had a good case against Thorsen and that hi4 office would not drop the second-degree murder charges The jury of nine men and three women deadlocked at 7 to 5 after deliberating about two hours. Seven of the jurors favored convic tion. Assistant District Attorney James L. Baker said there was no deadline for deciding whether or not to re-try the case. Baker said a hearing would automatically be scheduled far the October session, but ihe prosecution -Continued on Page 12 Marshall To Extend Water, Sewer Lines By II.I). KOONTZ III The News Record Kditor The Marshall Ijtpard of Aldermen approved a budget amendment Wednesday, Aug. 17, to enable the town to extend water and sewer lines to about 22 town residents on Rector Comer Road. The project, which will connect if houses to the town system, will be paid for with $64,256.80 in leftover Natural Resources and Community Development grant funds and $19,613 in local option money, Sam Parker, director of the Madison County Hous ing Development Authority. The aldermen approved the amend ment following a public hearing. No opposition to the proposed project was voiced at the hearing. Parker said the required en vironmental impact statement, a state and federal requirement, has been completed. He said 82 percent of the residents fall into the low- to moderate-income household category, which qualifies the area for state grant aid. The money is actually federal tax dollars being administered through the state agency, he said. -Continued on Page 12 _i Architect's sketch shows proposed tech cen ter in Madison County. Satellite A-B Tech Center Construction Begins a. : /'x' 4. Ai'iV- . . ? s* .1 a. ?_? ' fey H.D. KOONT2 III The New* Record Editor Construction on a $1.2 million Madison County Center of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is in full swing despite the searing August heat. The proposed center, which is scheduled to be completed by June of next year, is located on the Marshall Bypass at (he intersection with N.C. 213 and U.S. 25-70. The A-B Tech satellite center will take up about 19,000 square feet on a 4.S acre site. One of its unique design features is the ability to expand the shop areas and classrooms to meet the needs of new industries locating in the area. The center will initially have two shop areas and four classrooms for new industt-y training labs. Also, there will be a student lounge and a 100-seat auditorium. There also will be a heliport for Memorial Mission Hospital's emegency helicopter adjacent to the center's 110-space parking area. The 19S6 and 1987 sessions of the North Carolina General Assembly provided the funding for the project. Madison County wiB own the land and building and leaffc the facility to the A-B Tech Board Of Trustees for its outreach program Harvey L. Haynes, president of A-B Tech, said that originally the center will schedule continuing education and adult basic education clases. "Eventually, we plan to offer credit courses in general education," Haynes said. Also, Haynes said he hoped the new industry area will be fully utilized in the years ahead. The Madison Center was establish ed in 1964 with clases being held at various locations around the county. "We are appreciative of the welcome Madison County folks have given us," said Ray Sawyer, center director. "We especially appreciate the assistance given by school officials, such as (Supt.) Bob Edwards, David Wyatt, and Fred Haynie," he said. "They gave us rooms in the schools -Continued on Page 12 Ray Sawyer Main Library far Madison County in Marshall Tl Newt fieri ird Editor H has been allocated 170,000 in b; tin Morth Carolina Assembly loi th tMM9 I he figur repi about mort uiaik some . k h ' t, ? hi baeks which ai ih. ppiaiiMd. rher is i a Man Hill that wm? of tl i Truck Hits Horse Tues. On N.C. 213 A Marshall man struck a horse while driving along N.C. 213 early Tuesday morning when five of the animals broke out of a pasture into the path of his 1906 pickup truck, the Highway Patrol reported. Barnett Payne was driving west on the highway between Marshall and Mars Hill about 4:45 a.m. when the horses raced into his truck's path, Highway Patrolman Phil Kitchen said. Barnett swerved to avoid hitting the animals but struck one. Kitchen said. ^ The horse, owned by Harvey Ponder of Madison County, had to be destroyed by a Madison County Depu ty Dana Pox before Kitchen arrived at the scene, he said. Kitchen said he did not know what the horse's value was. Damage to Barnett's truck was estimated at $1,900, Kitchen said. Bafnett was not injured. Weaverville Man Beaten In Asheville By H.O. KOONTZ III Hie News Record Editor A Weaverville man was beaten and robbed Thursday, Aug. 18, outside an Asheville food store, and four Asheville residents have been charg <ed in connection with the incident. Leroy Morris, 57, of Weaverville, was listed in "good" condition Tues day at St. Joseph's Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. Detective Dale Jenkins of tfae Asheville Police Department handled the investigation, assisted by Deputy Sgt. Ted Lambert. Lambert said the incident-occurred ^ -Continued on Page 2 Schools Get More Money From Board Of Education By H.O. KOONTZ III The Newt Record Editor An additional 972,000 in local school money was approved Tuesday night by the Madison County Board of Education to meet anticipated demands in vocational education and other areas. The board unanimously increased the local current expense fund for vocaUonai-disadvanUged school pro grams from 910,312 to 927,732. with the state board's allotment of 18,234,944. The board also learned form finance officer Terrv L. Price that it has $454,884.64 in local cash balance: $285,504.97 in checking; minus S4.493.S2 (or payroll; and *173.873.19 ('onlinunrd on Page 12 it ' [(goon Hound Trials To Be Held Sept. 10 By H.D. KOONTZ III TW News Rfwrtl Editor The second Annual Coon Hound Field Trials Shrinera' Hospital Benefit Hunt will be held Sept 10 at Mars Hill Recreation Park. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Stariners Hospital for Crippled Children A parade will kick off the day's ac tivities at ? a m with an auction to . ' .. County Qtttt Hunters iatkm. thr WN< Coon Hunter tnsciation nd the Mars Hill Shrlr ? ibte oes ami tr pr tj
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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Aug. 25, 1988, edition 1
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