Foundation awards grant for garden

The Polk County Community Foundation has awarded the city of Landrum a $2,000 grant for the community garden on Highway 176 between Landrum and Tryon. City Administrator Rich Caplan said students from the Landrum High School Horticulture Club will maintain the garden.

 

Landrum looking for volunteers for railcar museum

The Landrum City Council is looking for volunteers with museum experience to organize and operate the new railcar museum. Landrum City Administrator Rich Caplan said those interested in helping should call the mayor, a city council member or call the city at 864-457-3000.

 

Columbus puts advertising bench discussion to bed

The Town of Columbus decided to end discussions on regulating advertising benches on town sidewalks after discussing the topic for a few months. Council met Dec. 14 and decided to not regulate the benches at this time. Councilwoman Margaret Metcalf said the benches are the least of the town’s problems right now and as long as they are helping town businesses she is in favor of leaving them.

Columbus decides it’s not feasible to extend sewer on Peniel Road

The Town of Columbus has decided it’s not financially feasible to extend sewer service down Peniel Road after being requested by two residences. Council met Dec. 14 and heard from town manager Tim Barth who said a contractor looked at the potential construction and it was determined even by gravity flow to a manhole at Holly Hill the cost is estimated at $93,130.

Polk could consider live streaming meetings

After resident Michael Veatch made the suggestion, some Polk County Commissioners said they would consider live streaming meetings for residents who cannot attend. Commissioner Ray Gasperson said he has advocated live streaming meetings for a long time and said it wouldn’t take much to stream them. County manager Marche Pittman said the county voice records the meetings now and puts the recordings on the county’s website. He said it was researched several years ago and the problem was the expense of the cameras, but he is sure the costs have come down since then. County chair Jake Johnson said the county would look at the costs and the county will consider it.

Tryon to rent out visitor center space

The Town of Tryon plans to rent out its former visitor center space to the N.C. Forest Service. Tryon Town Council met Dec. 19 and agreed for the town manager to sign a one-year lease for $300 a month. Town manager Zach Ollis said the forest service approached the town about the rental space and he thinks it would be a good service to have in the town.