Commissioner candidates

Doug Arbogast:
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
In order for an outside company to be interested in purchasing our water company they would have to believe it could be a potential generator of profit which would necessitate their raising rates at some point; or why else would they be interested in buying it?
Then we would no longer have any control over that situation. I am also not in favor of giving away or selling Lake Lanier as several other members of the council are. I am also in favor of higher fees for permits re: Lake Lanier. I would be in favor of a water authority.

2) How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
I believe if the town and the various business organizations would promote, fund and sponsor additional festivals in the downtown area and in local parks… people would come to our area and see the progressive and somewhat revitalized downtown and yet still see available business locations for rent or purchase. I believe there is already a list of needed businesses for the area; that needs to be put on a rack card and made available to any interested visitors.
We have the perfect geography and location for additional music festivals, additional craft festivals, additional antique car shows and classic car rallies.

Bill Crowell:
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
Since Columbus has gone forward with their new 3 million dollar sewer plant the chance to create a “local” water/sewer authority has passed.
Our water department is small and basic day to day costs are high. By merging with Spartanburg we can get the benefits of a larger system – much like getting a volume discount. A merger with a larger authority will equalize the water rates for everyone on the system.

2)  How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
We need to promote Tryon more and better. We need to continue to promote the Business Week (and other publications) articles that Tryon is one of the safest places to raise a family. There was a time that Tryon was the only place to go for food for and a “spirited” beverage but our neighbor cities have filled in their empty buildings and met those needs and have become more vibrant.
They promoted themselves while we rested on our laurels. Tryon still has that certain “cache” but we haven’t capitalized on our uniqueness and that has cost us businesses and revenue from those businesses.  I have worked as chairman of Tryon Travel and Tourism to put us back on the map. The town government needs to take an active role in this promotion.

Bill Ingham
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
With the closing of several mills over the past years,  Tryon is treating less water now than we did ten years ago, and we have very little chance of increasing our customer base without joining a water authority and the only way for a water authority to work is for all three towns, as well as the county, to participate.
In the meantime, Tryon needs to be in contact with both Spartanburg and Broad River water authorities to gauge their interest in our system, so that we may compare our options and make an informed decision.  I would not, however be in favor of selling our system to a private company.

2) How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
Having been in business for fifteen tears on Trade Street, I have paid attention to the fact that the most magical times occur when the town residents and visitors come together for an event, from the April fools festival to the New Years Eve “ball dropping,” therefore, the town needs to cooperate as much as possible with our various civic groups when such events are planned.  The Town of Tryon also needs to welcome new businesses by being as cooperative and positive as possible.

Happy McLeod:
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
I would vote to join a local water authority. Why? Because doing so would increase the customer base thereby increasing revenues. It costs roughly $1.6M to operate Tryon’s water & sewer system for 2,000 customers.
An additional $10M is estimated to fix the problems within the current system. Without increasing the number of users, rates would have to increase to absorb the additional costs. Tryon is fortunate to have a town manager who is working on his doctorate. His thesis just happens to be on water systems. His data collected thus far is not in favor of selling a water system to a private concern.

2) How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
Some buildable lots remain in the town limits, but I do not foresee new home sales as a way of increasing the number of people in town.
Special events like Art Gallery Trots, Tryon Beer Fest and Rogers Park concerts do provide a draw. What about a Trade Street B&B? Did you know town hall was once a hotel? Council could assist the downtown in attracting businesses by providing a business recruitment packet and welcome packet to newcomers.
A reputation for being “business friendly” is a must. All this should be advertised on a state of the art town website.

Billy Moss:
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
I think we should join with the other towns to make a water authority or join with the county to make one. For our own protection we need to be involved in a water authority and not sell to some outside entity because we would not have a vote or a voice on cost, maintenance,or being sold by them.
In order to help our residents now with the high cost of their water bills,we need to return to the 2,000 gallon or at least 1,500 gallon minimum charge. The drought seems to have receded at this present time. It’s going to be a few years until a water authority can be implemented.

2) How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
I suggest because of the limited advertising budget that is raised by the occupancy tax through the TTDA, we could attempt to work with Columbus and Saluda to promote the three towns together by showcasing the best of all three as a weekend event.
As an extension to the BBQ festival, July 4th festival, Coon Dog Day and Steeplechase. Also we need to work closely with the TDDA on different ways to advertise and promote the town.

Wim Woody:
1) Do you believe Tryon should sell its water system or join a local water authority? If not, how do you propose the town improve its water system without increasing rates?
As a member of the current town council, we are looking at alternatives to our current ownership of the water system. So far, we have not encountered a plan wherein we continue to control the rate structure.
I am leery of any structure that is not controlled locally in order to be responsive to our citizens.
A regional water system is being explored and may have some good points, but we still are in the investigative stage. The town’s management is focussed on maintaining and upgrading our system by using available revenues and by pursuing grant monies for infrastructure improvements.
I will continue to work to maintain our infrastructure and hold our rates as low as possible.

2) How do you propose the town attract more residents, visitors and businesses to downtown?
What makes Tryon unique are the same things that attract visitors and businesses.
Our scenic location, lower cost of living, availability to urban services while maintaining our rural characteristics, the intriguing blend of personalities our town attracts, all of these factors work to our benefit in attracting new residents and businesses.
We have suffered from the recent economic decline like most areas have, however we can now see that new businesses are locating downtown, new investment is taking place, restaurants are opening.
Tryon will continue to prosper as we have in the past by emphasizing our unique qualities and by the active participation of our citizens.