Ward's Grill reopens tomorrow in downtown Saluda, page 3
Tryon Daily Bulletin
The World’s Smallest Daily Newspaper
Vol. 83 / No. 110
Tryon, N.C. 28782
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Only 50 cents
Tennant of safety Geoff Tennant retiring after 28 years as Columbus fire chief by John Clayton
Here’s a list of upcoming meetings and events for area nonprofit community and governmental organizations:
Today
Polk County Mobile Recycling Unit, Wednesdays, Fire Department in Green Creek, 7 a.m. to noon. The Meeting Place Senior Center, Wednesday activities include Tai Chi, 9 a.m.; ceramics, 9:30 a.m.; Italian Club Meeting (Buon Giorno), 10 a.m.; senior fitness, 10 a.m. bingo or bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Medication Assistance Program, 9 a.m. to noon. 828894-0001. Saluda Senior Center, Wednesday activities, power yoga class 6:15 a.m., Trash Train, dominoes game, 10 a.m., gentle Yin yoga 12:30 p.m. Movie Matinee, 2 p.m. 828749-9245. Tryon Kiwanis Club meets Wednesdays, noon, Congregational Church, 210 Melrose Ave., Tryon. Skills Building/Problem Solving Skills for boys ages 12-17, Wed., 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., Steps to HOPE. 894-2340. Male Anger Management Intervention/Education Program, Wednesdays, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Steps to HOPE. 8942340. (Continued on page 2)
A radio is clipped to Geoff Tennant’s belt where it sits permanently on his left hip, blaring occasionally a succession of long beeps and brief chatter – the tones of trouble. Somewhere. But it is peaceful at the Columbus Fire Department where Tennant has served as a firefighter for 35 years and as fire chief since 1982. No alarms sound and nothing at all hints at Tennant’s impending departure. After nearly 30 years of service as chief, Tennant is set to retire – or at least his version of it – at the end of 2010, giving Fire Chief Geoff Tennant poses next to an old firetruck at way to Bobby Arledge, who was Columbus the Columbus Fire Department. Tennant is retiring as chief after 28 selected as new chief Monday years on the job. (photo by John Clayton) night (see front page story). “As for going home and sitguess, when I go to the golf course after Jan. 1, I ting and sitting on my front porch in a rocking won’t be taking a pager on the course with me. I’ll chair – no, that’s not me,” said Tennant, 71, a just go to play golf.” retired educator of 30 years who is also the chairman of the Polk County Board of Education. “I (Continued on page 6)
Arledge new chief of Columbus Fire Dept. by John Clayton
Bobby Arledge, a long-time officer in the Columbus Fire Department and its only paid firefighter, was elected fire chief Monday night. Arledge, now the deputy chief, will replace the retiring Geoff Tennant as chief Jan. 1. He will spend the next six months training to take over the position. “Everybody sort of said (I
would be elected),” said Arledge. “So, I guess I felt good about it.” Tennant has served as the department’s fire chief for the past 28 years. He will serve the remainder of this year as chief and Bobby Arledge said he plans to move into an unspecified role within the He department after his retirement begins (see article above).
Serving Polk County and Upper Spartanburg and Greenville Counties
Arledge joined the department in 1994 as a volunteer and was hired as its lone professional firefighter five years ago. He has served as a lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and in his current position as deputy chief. said becoming chief of the (Continued on page 3)