Tryon has new mayor

Candidates for in the City of Saluda and the Town of Tryon said they wanted change in local government and voters agreed as newcomers swept all council seats and Tryon voted in a new mayor, according to unofficial results from the Polk County Board of Elections.

In Saluda, Mark Oxtoby was the high vote getter with 114 votes and Carolyn Ashburn was close behind with 108 votes. Incumbents George Sweet and Johnnie Kinard were the bottom two out of seven candidates with 31 and 17 votes respectively.

Hobart “Sunny” Pace fell short of winning with 71 votes, followed by Karen Bultman with 66 votes and Ellen Rogers with 52 votes.

Incumbent mayor Fred Baisden retained his seat with 175 votes. He was running unopposed until last week when write in candidate John Morgan signed up to run. Write in votes totaled 70 in Saluda.

Newcomer Jim Wright took long standing Tryon Mayor Alan People’s seat by 126 votes. Wright received 274 votes to People’s 148. Anne Day, who dropped out of the race, received 12 votes.

Bill Ingham was the top vote getter for council with 224 votes with Happy McLeod also winning a seat with 212 votes. Bill Crowell fell short of winning a seat with 143 votes, followed by incumbent Wim Woody with 113 votes, Billy Moss with 89 votes and incumbent Doug Arbogast with 58 votes.

Wright thanked the voters for the confidence, the people who helped and supported him and the voters for their turnout.

“Thanks to Alan for what’s he’s done for this community and his service,” Wright said following last night’s election. “Congratulations to the winners and I look forward to working with council and the town’s employees.”

Ingham said he’s committed to Tryon and he’s accessible saying anyone can call him anytime.

“I look forward to working with Happy and the new mayor and I think we have a bright future ahead of us,” Ingham said.
McLeod said if someone would have asked her growing up what she wanted to be, she doesn’t think she would have said a town council member.

“I loved every minute of the campaign,” McLeod said. “I’ve met a lot of new friends who’ve told me their needs in their part of town. I love this town and I love the opportunity to represent the people. And most of all, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Saluda’s winners were not available for comment at press time.