Countdown to decision time
 

Countdown to decision time

Several boards and bodies will formally vote in coming weeks on whether Lake Junaluska should become part of Waynesville, form its own town or continue as a sophisticated homeowner’s association. Here’s a look at who will be weighing in and…
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The players
 

The players

Property owners: A survey was mailed to all 811 Lake Junaluska property owners last week, with a robust response rate so far. There are 765 homes at Lake Junaluska. About half are lived in year-round by their owners. Surveys also…
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Junaluska’s choices: the abridged version
 

Junaluska’s choices: the abridged version

Option 1: Join the town of Waynesville Pros: • Financial savings — This is the cheapest option, thanks to economies of scale. Residents would fork over town property taxes, but it would buy them all the services and amenities they…
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One foot in the past, one in the future, Junaluskans weigh  the worth of their identity
 

One foot in the past, one in the future, Junaluskans weigh the worth of their identity

When Ken Zulla hung up his IRS badge and retired to the well-groomed mountain hamlet of Lake Junaluska more than a decade ago, monthly sojourns to the local feed-and-seed store weren’t on the radar for his Golden Years. SEE ALSO:…
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A match made in heaven?
 

A match made in heaven?

Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown has honed his dating and engagement analogies as town leaders weigh whether to tie the knot with Lake Junaluska. They started innocently enough 10 months ago.
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Lake Junaluska a good catch for Waynesville, but light on the dowry
 

Lake Junaluska a good catch for Waynesville, but light on the dowry

Adding Lake Junaluska to its town limits won’t be a windfall for Waynesville despite $775,000 in property taxes it stands to gain each year. Likewise, Junaluska wouldn’t be a financial drain on the town, according to the results of a…
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Emotions run high as Lake Junaluska task force votes for merger
 

Emotions run high as Lake Junaluska task force votes for merger

A Lake Junaluska task force voiced overwhelming support last week for merging the 765-home community with the town of Waynesville before a packed audience of homeowners. SEE ALSO: Ongoing coverage The 14-member task force has spent 10 months weighing the…
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Tide of support carries Lake Junaluska, Waynesville toward merger
 

Tide of support carries Lake Junaluska, Waynesville toward merger

Lake Junaluska homeowners and community leaders spoke out strongly last week in favor of merging with Waynesville, setting the stage for a bill to work its way through the N.C. General Assembly this summer declaring Lake Junaluska part of the…
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The mechanics behind the Lake J petition
 

The mechanics behind the Lake J petition

Lake Junaluska residents spearheading the annexation effort realized they needed more and better ammunition to prove their case and sway holdouts in the General Assembly to let the community merge with next-door Waynesville.
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Lake Junaluska petition could move the ball in Raleigh on merger
 

Lake Junaluska petition could move the ball in Raleigh on merger

The large majority of Lake Junaluska property owners and registered voters want to join the town of Waynesville, according to a volunteer petition drive carried out over the last six months.
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