Tryon candidate forum at Roseland Oct. 16

A candidate forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Roseland Center, sponsored by the eastside citizen advisory committee. Dr. Warren Carson announced the forum during Tryon Town Council’s Tuesday, Sept. 19 meeting. Carson said the public is invited.

Polk approves updated 20/20 vision plan

Polk County has an updated 20/20 vision plan, or comprehensive plan following a public hearing and unanimous approval by the board of commissioners on Monday, Sept. 18. The vision plan was updated with new information and maps. Polk officials said the updated plan should be valid another five years, when the county will need to completely redo the plan.

Doughboy committee established

The Polk County Appearance Committee recently met and established a doughboy committee for the restoration of the statue, which commemorates WWI soldiers who died from Polk County. County manager Marche Pittman updated commissioners on Sept. 18 about the committee, saying it has reached out to a federal statue expert who is coming to evaluate the doughboy statue in December.

Polk appoints two new Animal Cruelty Investigators

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Sept. 18 and unanimously appointed Philip Daniel and Laurel Pyatt. Commissioners also heard from Patti Lovelace, lead animal cruelty investigator about the role of the investigators. Commissioner chair Tommy Melton said investigators do a wonderful job and he has zero tolerance for anyone who abuses or neglects an animal.

Tryon Mayor praises departments for preparedness over Irma

During Tryon Town Council’s Sept. 19 meeting, mayor Alan Peoples praised departments for their being prepared for Hurricane Irma. Peoples said he called and worried everyone to death, but department heads had it covered and the town was prepared. He also thanked the Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op for giving away free coffee to refugees from the storm.

Tryon festivals gearing up for fall/winter

During Tryon’s council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, TDDA’s Jamie Carpenter announced that the Tryon Film Festival will be held the last weekend of October, the Halloween Stroll will be on Oct. 31 with the costume contest moved to the clock tower this year at 5:30 p.m. and the Tryon Beer Festival will be held on Nov. 4.