ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, June 24, 1996                  TAG: 9606240099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: A-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: TIMBERLAKE
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER 

COMMUNITY PITCHES IN ITS `FAIR SHARE'

THE TIMBERLAKE Homeowners Association plans to raise money and have a new dam built by October.

These days, Timber Lake isn't as impressive as it once was. It's a green field and mud flats with a creek running through the middle.

But it won't remain that way for long. The Timberlake Homeowners Association says it plans to have a new dam built by October.

Still, in a year of loss, it hasn't been easy for homeowners to rejoice.

Saturday, the homeowners gathered in a private ceremony to remember the lake that was once at the center of their community and the two people who were killed in the June 1995 flood.

They grieved especially for their lost neighbor, volunteer fireman Carter Martin, who gave his life trying to save people from cars that turned out to be empty. His wife, Fonda, and his mother, Boolie, who took over his Campbell County School Board seat, still live in the community.

Still, after weathering disaster together, the homeowners are more united than ever, homeowners association president Doug Washington said.

As proof, he points to the financing of the dam reconstruction. After being turned down for disaster funding and loans by almost every state and federal agency, the homeowners came up with another plan for financing for the new dam: They're paying for it themselves.

So far, people in the community have signed pledge contracts for more than 90 percent of the $840,000 needed to rebuild the dam.

Even though they haven't signed a formal contract, the homeowners' construction firm, Counts and Dobyns Excavating Inc. of Lynchburg, has begun to clear land and undergrowth in preparation for tearing down the remnants of the old dam.

The homeowners say the lake could be filled by next summer. There will be no new road over the dam. Both sides of the road will remain closed off; instead, a 200-foot spillway will run across the top of the dam to prevent flooding.

"What an effort our volunteers have done!'' Washington said. "In less than a year, they've gotten this project off the ground, from [Department of Environmental Quality] permits, to the engineering plans and fund-raising. We're finally winning again!''

LENGTH: Medium:   52 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  WAYNE DEEL/Staff. These signs mark yards around the 
          empty Timber Lake as residents work to raise money to replace the 
          dam.