Council reappoints Tryon to open seat

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GREENVILLE — At a pre-meeting work session Tuesday night, members of the Greenville City Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Tracy Tryon to council.

“It’s nice to be back and involved,” he said. “My phone was quiet for two months.”

Tryon had resigned his council seat June 30, following his resignation from the Greenville City School District. Having retired from the state teacher’s retirement system, he was prohibited from working for a period of 60 days.

Council had published a notice for Greenville residents to submit letters of intent for the at-large seat. Tryon, however, was the only person to apply.

“We had to fill the seat. The personnel committee could use another member on it,” remarked Councilman John Oliver, laughing.

Tryon took his seat after being sworn in by Mayor Mike Bower following council’s approval of its regular meeting agenda.

During the public portion of the session, representatives of Greenville’s YOLO organization addressed council regarding the group’s plan to build a splash pad at the northeast corner of the intersection of Martin and South Broadway Streets.

YOLO representatives Phillip Pierri and Matt Steyer sought approval from council to move forward with the plan, one which would require the city to temporarily cede ownership of a public parking lot at the location. Once construction of the splash pad is complete, however, ownership of the entire development would revert back to city ownership.

City Attorney Eric Brand advised that it would be in the best interest of the city to get a formal agreement on paper before proceeding, a proposal to which Pierri and Steyer agreed.

Praising their “vision and gumption,” Councilman John Baumgardner told Pierri and Steyer, “My hats off to you two.”

Mayor Bowers also chimed in with praise, but cautioned Greenville citizens that the project will be a long-term undertaking.

“This is a three-to-five year process,” he said. “It’s not going to be done this summer or next summer.”

In his report to council, Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison gave an update on street construction on Gardenwood Drive, and urged citizens to avoid driving on the street unless they are residents there.

He also provided council with preliminary engineering plans for proposed sewer line and road work at the intersection of East Main and North Ohio Streets.

Among other business, council amended an ordinance regarding the city’s water rates.

Originally, the increase of approximately 4 percent on city water was slated to go into effect October 1. However, council felt it would be better to change the rate rollout to January 1 in order to allow further public input on the issue.

Council also passed a resolution to assess noxious weed mowings on multiple parcels within the city. Property owners who fail to maintain lawns on their properties can be charged $150 per hour by Greenville if city workers are forced to mow at these locations.

The Greenville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor of the municipal building at 100 Public Square. Meetings are open to the public.

Tracy Tryon (left) is sworn in by Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers at Tuesday night’s Greenville City Council meeting. Tryon returns to council two months after tendering his resignation.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_IMG_3028-RGB.jpgTracy Tryon (left) is sworn in by Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers at Tuesday night’s Greenville City Council meeting. Tryon returns to council two months after tendering his resignation. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate

By Erik Martin

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Erik Martin may be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937-569-4314.

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