French chef joins Stone Soup; Lawyers merge firms, Market Place, page 3
Tryon Daily Bulletin
The World’s Smallest Daily Newspaper
Vol. 83 / No. 85
Tryon, N.C. 28782
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Only 50 cents
I-26 paving to continue through Sept. $9.3 million project covers 9.2 miles by Leah Justice
Here’s a list of upcoming meetings and events for area nonprofit community and governmental organizations:
Today
Polk County Transportation Authority makes a regular trip to Hendersonville on the first and third Tuesday of each month. 894-8203. Hospice of the Carolina Foothills daytime grief support group, first Tuesday each month, noon, Hospice Center behind St. Luke’s Hospital. For anyone grieving the death of a loved one. No registration; no charge. 828-894-7000, 800617-7132, sslater@hocf.org. The Meeting Place Senior Center Tuesday activities include ceramics, 9:30 a.m.; art class, 10 a.m., Bingo or movie, 12:30 p.m. 828-894-0001. Polk County Historical Association Museum, open Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 60 Walker St., Columbus, lower level. Free. Saluda Senior Center, Bridge, Tuesdays, 10 a.m., chair exercise, 2:15 p.m. 828749-9245. Polk County Library, preschool storytime 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, children’s area. 828894-8721. Green Creek Community Center, Zumba exercise (Continued on page 2)
Paving currently under way on more than nine miles of I-26 in Polk County is scheduled to be complete Sept. 30, according to N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) officials. The $9.3 million paving project, which began in April, will cover 9.2 miles between Saluda and the South Carolina state line. The project was part of $679 million awarded to North Carolina through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 43 highway and bridge projects in the state. The resurfacing project is being done on both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-26 between mile marker 61 and the South Carolina state line. Paving resumed today after taking a break for Memorial Day weekend to open up all lanes for (Continued on page 6)
Current paving work on I-26 in Polk County. (photo by Leah Justice)
Tryon tourism fund down 56 percent Hospitality tax revenue drops; town budgets $12k for streetscape by Leah Justice
Tryon’s tourism development fund will be functioning next year on 56 percent less in revenue. Tryon Town Council is working on its proposed budget for fiscal year 2010-2011,
which will begin July 1. Tryon Town Manager Justin Hembree says the tourism fund is seeing a direct impact from the economy. Revenue from tourism's hospitality tax is lower as fewer visitors come to the area, and the town is not contributing as much from its general fund. The proposed tourism budget, which has not yet been approved by the town’s tourism development authority board, is expected to decrease from
Serving Polk County and Upper Spartanburg and Greenville Counties
$41,000 this year to $18,005 next year. The town is expecting $3,000 less in hospitality tax revenue, from $14,000 this year to $11,000 next year, or a 21.43 percent decrease. The town also this year contributed $27,000 from its fund balance to fund the new tourism department and is budgeting only $7,005 next fiscal year. Hembree says the depart(Continued on page 7)