Tryon commemorated a changing of the guard Tuesday, Dec. 17 as the town and its citizens welcomed two new council members and a new mayor for the first time in more than a decade.

Outgoing Mayor Alan Peoples served as one of Tryon’s biggest cheerleaders.

Mayor Peoples also worked for the past decade, alongside many dedicated employees, to pull Tryon through what was likely one of the town’s most dismal periods.

At about $1.4 million in debt, the State of North Carolina threatened to take over stewardship of the town’s finances in 2001. Mayor Peoples helped see the town through this incomprehensible state and last year the town paid the fire department the last payment it was owed from money borrowed from its fund.

For his 12 years of service, the Tryon Daily Bulletin extends our appreciation to Peoples. We hope the town’s citizens too recognize his efforts.

Change, however, often brings positive outcomes.

Communities, like companies or non-profit organizations, need fresh ideas and perspective to thrive. It is easy to get stuck in the rut of doing things the way they’ve always been done. People too get worn out and worn down by the negativity that can surely come with holding office.

With new leadership at the helm, Tryon could thrive in ways the town and its former leadership had not thought of before now. Newly inaugurated Mayor Jim Wright brings a strong industry background with a new outlook on how to bring different parties to the table.

After a conversation with Wright Tuesday morning, we’re confident he’s got a strong vision for Tryon’s future.

Wright said some of his first actions as mayor will be to bring civility back to Tryon and eliminate the negativity that has in the past seeped into Tryon politics. He said hopes to make the town’s governance run more efficiently and to ensure citizen input is considered a top priority in all decisions.

Wright said his campaign topics of focus remain high on his agenda, including improving infrastructure, increasing the property tax base by encouraging “infill” real estate development, improving existing residential and commercial properties and recruiting new businesses. He said he also wants to see that the town upholds its motto of being the “friendliest town in the South” to not only visitors but its citizens as well.

We look forward to working with Wright, as well as new council members Bill Ingham and Happy McLeod.