The American Legion in Tryon recently decided to fix up their building, inside and out, and the organization borrowed $15,000 for the work. In choosing an exterior paint, they decided upon American Legion blue.
“We did not think about anything except the color we were choosing,” [American Legion Commander Michael] Collins said. “Then we got a call from Paula [Kempton, Tryon’s community development director] that said we violated an ordinance and I needed to go before the planning board to talk about it.”
Representatives of the American Legion said they would be happy to repaint the building, but it will cost about $2000. The organization raises money, mostly through Bingo, for veterans, and it operates on a $15,000 budget. They asked if there was any way the town council could help pay for a repaint.
“If we the council can give money to TedX, we can give to this,” [Town Commissioner George] Baker said.
Baker offered to pitch in $100 of his own money if the town would make a contribution. He was told the town could not donate taxpayer dollars to private property owners per se. He then said he would contribute the same if the town would help with a fundraiser. Commissioner Bill Ingham said he would just give the organization $50, person to person.
Common taters either interviewed for or posting about the article indicated the photo was dodged and burnt to make the building appear way bluer than it is, that the shade is beautiful, that the town should value the American Legion’s budget priorities, and that the building next-door has real issues nobody is addressing. Personally, I find the dodged and burnt blue fascinatingly glorious. Really.
