The Bulletin looks back on 2014
Editor’s note: Over the next several days, we will take a look back at some of the top stories, news makers and images that shaped the year.

September

Polk begins search for permanent county manager
Polk’s board of commissioners began its search for a permanent county manager, receiving more than 20 applications for the position. Polk County has been without a permanent county manager since December 2012 after former county manager Ryan Whitson was called to active duty in New Jersey with the U.S. Army Reserves.

Polk hears backlash over new citizen comment policy
Polk County Commissioners heard from a few residents recently who said they do not agree with a new citizen comment policy approved in early August. Residents who wish to speak now have to do so at the beginning of the meeting only and have three minutes to do so.

Tryon to aggressively go after delinquent utility bills
The Town of Tryon could soon hire a collection agency to go after inactive utility bills and is considering making changes to or eliminating its utility extension agreement, or payment plan. Tryon Town Council met Aug. 19 and discussed ways to collect both active and inactive delinquent accounts.

Polk arrests Pennsylvania man for second-degree murder
Accused of mailing illegal narcotics to a woman staying in Polk County who died in February after ingesting the drugs, Sean Michael Harrington, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa., was extradited, arrested and charged with second degree murder from drug distribution, two counts of sell/deliver a schedule I controlled substance and one count of sell/deliver a schedule II controlled substance.

Rolling down the river
Outdoor enthusiasts from near and far came to the Green River over the Labor Day weekend for tubing, kayaking and swimming. This family from Boiling Springs, N.C. hopped on their tubes at the Silver Creek Tubing Center.

Polk board of elections recommends Lawrence for new director
The Polk County Board of Elections is recommending former deputy director Karen Lawrence as the new elections director. The board of elections met Tuesday, Sept. 2 and approved recommending Lawrence to replace former director Tracy Waters, who resigned last week after being the director since 2013.

Green River Watershed reclassified effective Sept. 1
Polk County reached a milestone it has been waiting for years to see as the state officially reclassified the Green River Watershed, including Lake Adger, as a watershed IV (WS-IV), to be used as a drinking water source. The county received word of the state approval on Aug. 27 from Elizabeth Kountis, Senior Environmental Specialist with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) Division of Water Resources.

Tryon Equestrian Partners announces Inaugural Tryon Fall Festival
Tryon International Equestrian Center will host the Tryon Fall Festival from Sept. 16 – Oct. 26, 2014 featuring over $800,000 in prize money with one A-rated and five AA-rated hunter weeks and two Rolex/USEF Ranked Classes each week.

Former commissioner McDermott ejected from Polk meeting
Former Polk County Commissioner Renee McDermott was ejected from the Sept. 8 county commissioner meeting after Commissioner Michael Gage accused the 2010 board of commissioners of considering to break the law. McDermott is pictured being escorted out by chief deputy Mike Wheeler.

Tryon Resort asks Rutherford County to expand airport
Rutherford County Manager Carl Classen confirmed that the county is fast-tracking plans to expand its general aviation airport, Marchman Field, in response to a request from Tryon Resort. In a letter dated Aug. 28 from Vaneli Bojkova, vice president of operations of Tryon Resort, to the Rutherford County Airport Authority, the resort lists several requests for enhancements to the airport, located 22 miles from the resort in Polk County.

Remembering September 11
The Landrum, Campobello and Inman Fire Departments joined together Sept. 11 for a service of remembrance in Landrum. More than 100 doves were released as a symbol of faith, and Steve Boehm, retired firefighter from the New York City Fire Department delivered a short speech. Pictured are the chiefs from the three departments (Warren Ashmore, Landrum; Eddie McNeill, Campobello; and Chris Cothran, Inman).

Green Creek Archery Club performs well at festival tournament
The Green Creek Archery Club was very successful at the Second Annual Heritage  Festival Tournament that was held in conjunction with the Green Creek Heritage Festival on Sept. 6. The members of the JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) club, Rachel Roberson, Josh Streacker, Phil Burney and Rick Burney all added gold medals to their collections for achieving the high score in their divisions. Coach Vennera won a silver medal in his division.

Sly Fox Boutique opens at Tryon Plaza
Now open for business, the Sly Fox Boutique carries an assortment of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home décor, travel accessories, pet items, and kitchen gifts from a variety of vendors both local and from afar.

Local athlete chosen as Youth Ambassador for Alpine World Ski Championships
The Vail Valley Foundation has named Nicola Rountree-Williams of Tryon and Vail, Colo. to the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championship Dream It Team. The Dream It Team is an elite group of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail junior winter sports athletes who earned a position in the Rocky Mountain Division Podium Team through race and championship results in the 2013-2014 competition season.

Tryon accepts $40k bid to repair Jervey Road
After about a month of being closed off, Jervey Road should be repaired soon as the Tryon Town Council approved a $40,542 bid from Hyder Construction Company to repair a sinkhole.

Polk considers regionalizing water sources with ICWD
The Polk County Board of Commissioners likely faces its biggest decision in years after the Inman-Campobello Water District (ICWD) offered to partner with Polk County. The offer includes ICWD paying for Turner Shoals Dam repairs, costs for building and operating a water plant in Polk if necessary, paying for at least $100,000 a year worth of new water lines in Polk County and helping the county with dredging needs at
Lake Adger.

Consecration of St. Anna Chapel at Russian Chapel Hills Vineyard
The Chapel of St. Anna, the first Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (ROCA) in Polk County, was consecrated at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3. Metropolitan Hillarion, who is the first hierarch of all of ROCA, presided over this service.

Polk hires Stensland as permanent recreation director
Polk County hired interim recreation director Jerry Stensland as permanent director.  Stensland was hired after the county received eight applications for the position. Stensland has been the interim director since December 2013.