County and town economic development efforts are expensive. The problem is that they are often too narrowly focused on manufacturing and industry, willingly helping private, for-profit businesses. Lake Junaluska Assembly is one of this county's largest industries, providing jobs, helping the tourist economy and all the related service sector businesses, spurring home building, and serving as an economic catalyst in many other ways. The presence of the lake is also important to the quality of life for many who live here year round. The walking-jogging path is well used by local residents, as is the pool, tennis courts, outdoor gym and meeting space.
People complain about rules, but there are rules in all parks, be they municipal or national.
The administration and residents around Lake Junaluska are proud of what they have created, and they take good care of it. And over the last decade, they have increasingly opened it to the public. Perhaps the local governments, if they are so strapped for cash, will decide not to help Lake Junaluska. That is their choice. It should be treated as part of the family, not discredited the first time it asks for help.