Correction to Lanark Village Fire Story

        The Times staff apologizes for a typographical error in the Nov. 14 story about a tragic fire in Lanark Village. The text regarding the arrival of Progress Energy trucks should have read:

(Mike) Rundel said his crew was dispatched at 6:09 a.m. "We still had the water on before the power truck arrived. I didn't see a Progress Energy employee till 6:59 a.m."

            Some details of the Lanark fire remain controversial.  At the Nov. 18 meeting of the Franklin County commission, Barbara Lasher, of Lanark Village, told commissioners that a group of trailers belonging to Don Lively Construction impeded access to a power pole delaying Progress Energy from cutting power to the burning home.

            "When I talked to Mr. Rothwell (Franklin County's engineer) he said it was OK for the trailers to be parked there. As a taxpayer, I find this disturbing," said Lasher.

            "If the county commission wants to do any enforcement with people parking on the public roadway, that is for them to do, not the county engineer," Rothwell replied.

            "I don't think anybody needs to park anything on public roadways," said Chairman Joseph Parrish.  "That presents a hazard to public health, safety and welfare.  The county commission needs to have a policy on this."

            County Attorney Michael Shuler said, "There are ordinances against parking vehicles or anything else in the public right of way for more than six hours.  In the past, the county has had me send letters telling the owner to move their property within three days.  If the vehicle is not moved, we red tag it.  If it still is not moved, we have it towed and the owner pays the towing and storage fees or forfeits the title."

            Commissioner Cheryl Sanders said, "Whatever is in the right of way needs to be taken out of the right of way."