SHORELINES

By Andie Gibson

2004 Year In Review

                As 2004 draws to a close, there are many memorable events to look back on. From the installation of the lake area’s second stoplight, to a major bass fishing tournament, to some wacky weather, the year featured many highs and lows for Smith Mountain Lake residents. Here are just a few.

JANUARY

                Fifth District Representative Virgil Goode announced the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Company was awarded a $16,000 federal grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The money was earmarked for upgrades and improvements in fire fighter safety and operations.

                The biggest drug bust in Bedford County – and one of the largest in Southwest Virginia history –  took place. More than 13 pounds of cocaine, $25,000 in cash, a gun and a Chevy Tahoe were seized.

                The Smith Mountain Lake Association formed a Water Conservation Alliance in hopes of finding common ground and consensus on how to handle water releases, particularly during periods of drought.

                Low temperatures, snow and freezing rain shut down schools and many businesses at the end of the month.

FEBRUARY

                Sixteen-year-old Jacob Mattox of Pittsylvania County was convicted of malicious wounding, reckless driving and felony hit-and-run. The incident took place in June 2003 when Mattox, driving an ATV, hit Lt. Ronald Henry of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at Leesville Lake. In April, Mattox was sentenced to 16 years.  He’ll spend 2 years in juvenile detention after which a judge will review the case and determine if he should remain confined or suspend the rest of his sentence.

                An oversight committee of Friends of the Lake announced the approval of $84,000 in grants for several projects relating to water quality at Smith Mountain Lake.

                The Franklin County Board of Supervisors tabled the proposal by Supervisor Russ Johnson to conduct a study on the feasibility of a sheriff’s substation at Westlake Corner. In April, the board denied Johnson’s request but did approve the hiring of two deputies to patrol the lake area.

MARCH

                Former Bedford County Supervisor Kirby Richardson pleaded guilty to three felony charges in a forgery scheme designed to get a road project in his district approved (the intersection of Rt. 608 and Rt. 626 at White House Corner). In May, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $15,000.

                Two Staunton River High School students and one from Patrick Henry High in Roanoke were killed in a head-on car crash in Bedford County. Killed were Ginni Creasey, 17, and Jenae` Mills, 16, of Goodview and Michael Anthony Williams, 16, of Roanoke.

                Governor Mark Warner was at a send-off ceremony at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford as soldiers from Virginia National Guard Unit Company A prepared for active duty as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The deployment marked the first time since World War II that Company A had been called up for active duty. Many of those soldiers were killed during the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944.

APRIL

                The new Wendy’s Restaurant at Westlake Corner opened and the lake added a second stoplight on Rt. 122 adjacent to Westlake Towne Center.

                The Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Coalition was formed. Chaired by Stan Smith, the coalition’s purpose is to protect and safeguard the health of the lake. The coalition’s original proposal included creating a service district that would collect annual fees for on and off-water property owners and require a decal for all boats that use the lake. The decal idea was later dropped.

                Ten “Welcome to Bedford” signs were erected to publicize the 250th anniversary of the county, founded in 1754.

                Construction began on the new Westlake Village Business Park on Rt. 122 across from Westlake Towne Center. The project is owned by Phil Floyd and Bill Berry.

                The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership held its first Business Expo. More than 80 businesses took part in the event, which was open to the public.

MAY

                The annual Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake cleanup event took place May 1.

                The Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run enjoyed a sunny day with 226 players on 75 boats representing 12 different states. Organizers donated $27,000 in proceeds to the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber/Partnership, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Friends of the Lake, and the SML Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company.

                The Bedford County Public Service Authority brought its $1 million water storage tank online. The 180-foot tank, located on Radford Church Road, contains water pumped from the lake, which is carried to Hales Ford Bridge. The tank contains enough treated water to service the Hales Ford area and future sales to Franklin County, which is extending lines to Westlake Corner.

                The death of Luis Frederico de Moura Rocha de Souza Pinto, 23, of New York City marred the Memorial Day weekend. Pinto was killed when the personal watercraft he was operating collided with a bass boat near Beaverdam Creek.

                Charmane Tamika Davis, 28, of Danville was found dead in a vacation rental house just outside the entrance to The Water’s Edge Country Club in Penhook. She died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Stanley Dion Tate, 32, also of Danville turned himself in to authorities June 2. Tate, the father of two of Davis’ children, was indicted in August on murder and firearm charges.

JUNE

                The Smith Mountain Lake Association held its first “Celebrate the Lake” event, which featured a dinner/dance, boat parades and a water fair, all designed to bring positive publicity to the lake.

                A Roanoke woman drowned at SML after she jumped overboard to save one of her dogs. Judy Thurman was not wearing a life jacket and was unable to swim back to her boat after it started drifting away.

JULY

                A South Carolina woman was killed when the PWC she was on collided with a boat. Stephanie Hillis, 33, of Greer, S.C., was the lake’s third fatality of the year.

                Construction began on the new public park off Rt. 616 in Franklin County. The park will feature handicapped accessible fishing piers, a swimming beach, picnic shelters, concessions and “spray ground” water area. Portions of the park opened in September, including hiking trails.

                The traffic signal at Rt. 122 and 24 in Bedford County was installed. The intersection had a long history of serious, sometimes fatal, wrecks.

                Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore was at the Smith Mountain Lake Airport to unveil Bedford County’s new “Air Wing” group. The program takes law enforcement to the skies to support Homeland security efforts, search and rescue, disaster relief and local law enforcement.

AUGUST

                AEP announced plans to donate 6 acres of waterfront property to the SML Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. The property, which is located on the Franklin County side of the lake near Halesford Bridge, will be used for storage of rescue supplies and hazardous material response supplies and for construction of a training facility.

                Carole Grace, 64, of SML drowned after apparently slipping on her wet dock while searching for lost boat keys.

                Shanda Hanger of Augusta County was killed when her car burst into flames at Crazy Horse Marina Campground. The explosion injured her estranged husband, Timothy Hanger, also of Augusta County, who had rented a camp site with family and friends. Franklin County authorities later determined Shanda Hanger set the fire deliberately.

SEPTEMBER

                The remnants of Hurricane Frances brought heavy rains and minor flooding in some areas of the lake. The storm was followed by Ivan, which spared flooding rains but sparked tornadoes in Bedford and Henry counties.

                Beautiful weather contributed to a record turnout at the 16th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival. Approximately 5,000 people came to Bernard’s Landing to sample wine and food and browse the more than 60 craft vendors.

                Remnants of Hurricane Jeanne caused substantial flooding. The water level at Smith Mountain Lake rose to 797.42 feet, its highest level in more than 12 years. The all-time record level for the lake is 799.79 reached April 27, 1978.

OCTOBER

                Lake levels stayed above full pond (795 feet) for days, causing the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour to prohibit visitors from arriving by boat on Friday, Oct. 1. More than 2,400 people visited the eight featured homes on this year’s tour.

                The CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open Tournament was held for the first time at Smith Mountain Lake. Lynchburg resident David Dudley won the professional division while Mark Clingenpeel of Boones Mill won the non-boater division. Three hundred anglers participated in the three-day tournament. An estimated 4,000 spectators turned out for weigh-ins at Bridgewater Plaza.