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I want to advise the community of what I believe to be a dangerous situation in regard to the facilities provided to Tryon by Polk County for recycling waste materials. The danger is the wobbly, moulded plastic steps provided for one to use in order to climb high enough to dump material into the bins. 

 

On Monday, April 25, I climbed up to pitch an armful of knocked-down cardboard into that particular bin and, upon reaching the top step, the steps fell over causing me to fall, hitting my back on the metal edge of the trailer. I’m in very good physical condition for a person almost 80, so was fortunate enough to avoid breaking the back ribs upon which I landed. I did go to a doctor for x-rays to confirm no broken ribs, but it has taken almost a month to fully recover. My wife called the county offices and was directed to speak with a Mr. Walker, the person responsible for some facet of the recycling program. His reply was, “Yes, those steps are unsteady, but they’re sitting on gravel so you have to be careful…” and that he would “look into” doing something to make them safer. Four weeks later, nothing has changed.  

 

In my experience with this service, I have observed that the great majority of persons using the facility are middle-aged to elderly; few would be considered young. Surely the county can do something to make use of this service safer for those using it.

 

Dwight Holley

Tryon