Bear Paw Resort Effectively Issues a Moratorium of New Home Construction Due to Water Supply

When it comes to building a new construction home, the availability of water is crucial. Bear Paw Resort is a great community here in Murphy NC and the utility company just issued a notice that affects all lot owners and prospective buyers of lot owners.

On April 21, 2023, Utilities, Inc. (formerly Carolina Water) informed the Bear Paw Service District that they do not have enough water supply to accommodate new construction homes. They have already invested a significant amount of money in drilling two new wells within the Service District, but unfortunately, these wells do not provide enough continuous water flow to meet further increased demand for water.

As a result, the BPSD has received advice not to issue any additional new house-build permits. It is important to note that water is crucial for any house to be built and to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Department in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Without an adequate water supply, new home construction simply cannot occur.

It is understandable to have questions about whether your proposed building plan will have access to water. In this case, it is recommended that you reach out to Utilities, Inc. directly to discuss your concerns and options. They can be reached at 1-800-525-7990 or their website is here at https://www.myutility.us/carolinawater

This news may be disappointing for those who were hoping to settle down and build their dream home in Bear Paw. However, it is imperative to prioritize the availability and sustainability of water resources for the entire community. The BPSD will continue to work with Utilities, Inc. to find a resolution and keep residents informed of any updates.

If you are considering purchasing a lot to build a house in Bear Paw, it is necessary to rethink your plans until this issue is resolved. Stay informed and updated on the situation, and we hope for a positive resolution in the near future.

Looking for real estate in the mountains of Western North Carolina and North Georgia? The Poltrock Team has you covered! Feel free to call us at 828-837-6400 or shop for real estate online at www.ThePoltrockTeam.com

The Poltrock Team wins Gold Award from Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors

The Poltrock Team wins the Gold Award from The Mountain Lakes Board of RealtorsThe Poltrock Team is proud to announce that we have achieved the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors Gold Award for 2022 sales! This award is the highest sales accolade that can be attained from the Board. To achieve it, our team had to sell $10,000,000 in volume and 48 units or more per agent. We are thrilled to announce that all 5 licensed team members have met these criteria and been awarded Gold!

It is no small feat to qualify for this award; it takes dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Our highly experienced agents strive for excellence with each and every real estate transaction. When you work with The Poltrock Team, know you will get a knowledgeable agent who will go above and beyond to ensure your needs are met. Because of that, we’ve been honored to win this award every year since it was implemented in 2019.

This achievement speaks to the quality of service provided by our talented Realtors. To reach such a high level of success, our agents must understand the local market dynamics, demonstrate sound negotiation techniques and provide timely communication throughout the buying/selling process. 

We are incredibly proud of our team and want to thank them for their tireless efforts in helping us secure this Gold Award! Congratulations, Poltrock Team!

Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital Brings Expanded Services to Murphy, NC

If you love living in our beautiful mountains, or are considering a move to Murphy, NC or the surrounding counties, you likely appreciate our region’s gorgeous scenery and feast of outdoor activities. However, you’ve probably wished that premier medical facilities, and highly regarded specialists, were much more accessible – especially for those facing serious or chronic health issues.

Fortunately, Chattanooga, TN-based Erlanger Health System has stepped in to provide a solution. In April 2018, after two years of due diligence and planning, Erlanger announced plans to acquire Peachtree-based Murphy Medical Center (MMC). By bringing our 40-year-old community hospital into the Erlanger family, our residents and visitors will benefit from an expanded menu of services and specialists. Continue reading “Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital Brings Expanded Services to Murphy, NC”

John Poltrock Named Best Real Estate Agent in The Cherokee Scout 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards

When you find work you really enjoy, and add technology mastery and a passion for great customer service, you can often achieve amazing results. Here in Murphy, NC and Cherokee County, REMAX REALTOR John Poltrock has earned a highly coveted award that speaks of his commitment to excellence. John was just voted Cherokee County’s Best Real Estate Agent in the Cherokee Scout’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards. The award is voted on by all the readers and subscribers of The Cherokee Scout, the area’s local newspaper.

Cherokee Scout Best Real Estate AgentWith over 13 years of real estate experience under his belt, John Poltrock is a highly focused professional who skillfully combines diverse analytic tools with a thorough knowledge of our regional real estate market. Using his Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Planning (from Western Carolina University), John deftly interprets often-complex market and trend reports. He utilizes relevant data to provide his clients with real-world advice that helps them to reach their buying or selling goals.

John combines his highly regarded technical expertise with an easygoing manner and a talent for making the most of every situation. He regards each challenge as a new opportunity, and frequently “thinks outside the box” to find the best solution. John’s commitment to client service is second to none, and many home buyers and sellers have happily provided testimonials about their positive experiences with John.

Like any high-achieving professional real estate agent, John Poltrock works with a superb support team. While John is The Poltrock Team’s lead Listing Agent, the five-member team also includes a Buyers’ Agent, versatile universal Realtor, Listings Coordinator, Closing Coordinator, and Marketing associate. Together, John Poltrock and The Poltrock Team enjoy providing Murphy, NC and Cherokee County with top-notch service while sharing their love of our beautiful mountains.

Total Solar Eclipse Brings Epic Viewing Experience Near Murphy, NC

Watching the August 21 Total Solar Eclipse was like opening a highly anticipated present on Christmas morning. For several weeks (even months) ahead, we read about this rare natural phenomenon. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, completely blocking the Sun’s light and briefly turning day into night. During the August 21 event, viewers in a nationwide 70-mile-wide swath would enjoy the maximum effect. Here in Brasstown, the spectacle began at 1:05 p.m. EDT in a clear, hot day dotted by puffy clouds.

As we settled into our Brasstown, North Carolina viewing spot (just a few miles from Murphy, NC), we kept our eclipse viewing glasses and water bottles close at hand. Every few minutes, we slipped on the glasses and gazed at the Sun, watching the Moon’s slow migration across the brilliant white sphere. First, the Moon’s effect was barely noticeable; however, the Sun’s circular shape gradually transformed into an ever-shrinking crescent as the sky darkened around us. Shadows began to appear, and the surrounding landscape took on the colors of twilight.

As the total eclipse (or “Totality”) crept closer, we noticed a drop in temperature, with some observers noting that it felt 10 degrees cooler. Shortly before the magic moment, our environment grew very still, with birds flying up to their nighttime roosts and crickets chirping in the distance. A rooster also began to crow, likely convinced that the “twilight” meant it was time to begin a new day.

Finally, at 2:34 p.m. EDT, we experienced “Totality” in Brasstown, with a dark twilight taking over the forested landscape as the Moon completely covered the Sun. This amazing spectacle lasted only 2 minutes 26 seconds, giving us just enough time to enjoy the view before a sliver of sunlight peeked from behind the Moon’s shadow. When that occurred, we quickly donned our eclipse glasses to safely enjoy the rest of the show. Watching for more than an hour, we saw the Moon continue its path across the Sun, with daylight and warmer temperatures gradually returning as well.

Finally, the Great American Eclipse was over, not to return nationwide for many years. As we swapped viewing experiences and sipped cold drinks, we marveled at this stunning solar extravaganza that had unfolded right before our eyes. This was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime event, made for sharing with family and friends across the country. Even better, we had experienced it from peaceful Brasstown, just a stone’s throw from Murphy, NC in a beautiful little corner of the world.

County Courthouse Lantern Repairs Grab Residents’ and Visitors’ Attention

Historic buildings are always good candidates for repairs and restorations. In cities and towns across the country, you’ll find workers shoring up sagging floors, replacing peeling paint, and even beefing up the building’s structure. However, here in Murphy, NC, the Cherokee County Courthouse recently received a rather unusual type of facelift.

Courthouse Lantern Removal & Repair

On the morning of Thursday, January 12, two huge hydraulic cranes lumbered into action on Murphy’s Peachtree Street, just outside the courthouse. Managed by Cannon Roofing Company, the cranes had a highly challenging task: remove the super-heavy copper lantern from atop the courthouse’s large dome. The word “lantern” is an architectural term, in this case referring to the ornamental structure that has topped the Cherokee County Courthouse since its 1926 construction.

First, a crane operator gently lowered the lantern’s dome to the street. Once workers examined the dome, they found that it was only secured by one solder joint, where up to eight joints had originally held it in place. In other words, the dome could have given way at any time, crashing onto the pedestrians and court patrons below. What had caused the joints to work themselves loose? Most likely, the dome’s waving American flag, followed by a copper American eagle, had created sufficient windage to negatively affect the dome’s structural integrity.

Next, an even larger crane plucked the much taller lantern from atop the building’s dome, and brought it safely to the ground. Constructed of eight 10-foot-high hollow copper Greek columns, the metal lantern is certainly a grand-looking structure. However, it’s also the subject of a mystery: the lantern is chock full of rifle bullet holes.

Cherokee County Courthouse’s Colorful History
The lantern repair’s unusual nature is the latest chapter in the courthouse’s unconventional history. In fact, the current building is the latest in a series of structures, the first of which was supposedly burned by Federal troops during the Civil War. Two more courthouses suffered the same fate, with the last one falling victim to fire in 1924.

In 1926, Cherokee County commissioners approved construction of the current courthouse. Designed by James J. Baldwin, and built with a veneer of imposing Blue Marble from nearby Marble (of course), the two-story Neo-Classical Revival-style courthouse easily commands your attention. Inside, the ground floor is home to numerous offices, while the expansive second-floor courtroom features finely crafted woodwork and plaster furnishings.

However, the Cherokee County Courthouse’s most dramatic feature is the two-story cupola that soars high above the entrance pavilion. Above the cupola’s lower stage, you’d normally see a striking large domed roof, topped by the lantern and smaller dome. With the lantern and small dome missing, though, the building looks strangely out of proportion.

What’s Next for the Lantern Repair Project
Of course, getting the lantern on the ground was only half the battle. To safely contain the cumbersome structure, Cannon Roofing workers had constructed a massive wooden box, which arrived atop a flatbed truck. After workers buttoned up the lantern for transport, the truck headed for Andrews-Murphy Airport, where skilled craftsmen would perform repairs inside an aircraft hangar.

Not surprisingly, fixing the 91-year-old copper lantern will be quite expensive. The Cherokee County government will soon issue a request for repair estimates, which should be the subject of much discussion around town. After the lantern repairs have been completed, workers will carefully reattach the copper eagle to the dome. Fittingly, this symbol of American liberty and freedom will soon resume its watch over downtown Murphy, NC.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

 

Pray Forest Fires End in Western North Carolina

It’s hard to believe Western North Carolina is experiencing so many wild fires. As you drive through Murphy, the smoke is so thick, its hard to see in some places. Although there are no fires in Cherokee County NC (and I hope we have none), the area is experiencing a 100+ year drought. I spoke with my mother-in-law and she does not recall it ever being so dry in our beautiful mountains.

I went to Hayesville NC on Veterans Day and had the privilege of watching so many incredible folks try to put out the fires that our plaguing our area. I literally saw a dozen helicopters fly to refill and drop water on raging fires over and over and over again. There are so many heroes who have fought these fires and saved so many homes. I saw smoke that was 100 yards from a home and I can’t imagine the fear and concern some people have for their dreams.

Please keep your prayers up: both for rain and for the brave men and women working so hard to eliminate the fires.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.iLoveMurphy.com– Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

John Poltrock Has Been at REMAX in Murphy NC for 10 Years

John Poltrock at REMAX 10 YearsIt’s hard to believe – I’ve officially been with REMAX in Murphy NC for 10 years! It’s been an incredible opportunity and a lot of fun. I have met wonderful people who I will never forget. I’ve sold hundreds of homes, as many parcels of land, and went from “Rising Star” with the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors shortly after I first started real estate here to the top Realtor in the area.

Everything started with Jessica and I getting married 10 years ago – that’s right – my marriage anniversary and RE/MAX anniversary are literally a few days apart! Thank you to every person who I’ve worked for and with – I am thankful for and enjoy every day and look forward to 10 more years! I couldn’t be happier than to call Murphy NC my home and real estate my career.

John Poltrock – The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Donna and Wayne Complete the Accredited Buyers Representative Course

ABR Designation Class in Murphy Andrews NC
The Poltrock Team is HERE! Wayne Cofer is in the pink shirt and Donna Srabian is on the back row, second from left.

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative course, or ABR, is designed specifically for Realtors who work with home buyers. It is produced by the National Association of Realtors and was sponsored this week by the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors, which is our local Realtor organization. It’s a great course to make certain real estate agents are on the cutting edge of technology, education, and experience to ensure those who buy real estate have a true professional represent them in the buying process.

What is also great is that not only Donna Srabian and Wayne Cofer of The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX, we also have other RE/MAX agents from Murphy NC! Randy Dockery, Amity Ledford, and Lori Curtis also attend and pass the course.

If you are interested in buying real estate in the mountains of Murphy NC, no one else can provide a better experience than us! Please feel free to Contact Us and let us know what we can do for you! Call or contact us online today! 🙂

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team

Murphy NC Slackline Park Offers Exciting New Recreational Activity

If you’re the first person in the neighborhood to try an offbeat new sport, gear yourself up for some slacklining here in Murphy, NC. What is slacklining? Well, imagine a cross between tightrope walking and skateboarding. Basically, you balance on a flat piece of nylon webbing stretched between two trees or poles. You’re generally several inches to a few feet off the ground – not suspended above Niagara Falls.

Slacklining might sound like some extreme sports fad, but it has been around since the 1980s. As slacklining mythology goes, mountain climbers were itching for something to do during rest periods, so they decided to test their balance by stretching climbing ropes between two trees. Now, devoted slackers nationwide are performing their own personal balancing acts. Some are even doing yoga and gymnastics while they’re perched above the ground.

Speaking of happy slackers, you’ll be pleased to learn that slacklining has attracted fans of all ages and abilities. In other words, you don’t have to be a super-fit circus tightrope walker to enjoy this inexpensive sport. You also don’t need any fancy gear – just comfortable clothes that don’t constrict your movements. Some slackers wear nicely broken-in flat-soled shoes, such as tennis shoes; while others work the slackline with their bare feet. If you choose this route, make sure the surrounding ground is free from glass or other sharp objects. To be on the safe side, clear a 10-foot space on every side of the line.

So let’s say slacklining sounds like your kind of sport, and you’re chomping at the bit to get started. Join up with the Murphy Slackers, like-minded folks (including families) who have established a slacklining presence in Konaheeta Park, just across from the Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center. Walk behind the last baseball field, near the end of the Murphy Riverwalk.

Throughout the summer and early fall, the Murphy Slackline Park is full of action. During Murphy Slackers’ regular gatherings, you’ll see several slackers working the lines while others mingle nearby. By frequently checking the group’s Facebook page, you might learn about a potluck picnic, giving you a great meal while you meet some devoted slackers. Chances are, they’ll also find excuses for cozy get-togethers during the winter (indoors, of course). Come spring, the Murphy, NC Slackline Park will gear up for another season of activities. Get ready to join those happy slackers!

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – www.MyMurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team