To the editor:

I have a question for the Town of Tryon, for the “kidnappers” who have been paid their demanded “ransom,” for anyone. Where is Morris? Having lived in the area off and on a good portion of my life, I have a long familiarity with and appreciation for our town icon. When I was a realtor I liked telling curious prospective buyers the story of Morris and tying him in with our beautiful equestrian-oriented countryside as well as the town itself.

Now here we are in the midst of the most beautiful season we have here, when our roads are stopping places as well as thoroughfares for leaf-watchers, and we’re stuck still – over four months later – with that sorry excuse of a sawhorse.

Has anyone read Betty Frost’s history of Tryon? Do you know that in 1928 it took two men one month to build the first horse that was, I might add, quite a bit larger than today’s version? Oh, and it had moving parts as well.

I think this has been handled very badly. Whoever (and that’s a big whoever, isn’t it?) has been contracted to repair this town treasure should make a public declaration of when Morris will be returned, a public apology for taking so long, and should too, perhaps, return to the town’s fund some of the rather exorbitant sum charged to do the work in the first place.

Has anyone noticed also that Morris’ Facebook page has been taken down?

The people of Tryon deserve an explanation for this debacle. Or should I call it a boondoggle? Let’s all demand a deadline for Morris’ return the way his kidnappers demanded $12,000 from honest citizens – right down to the kids holding a lemonade stand on his behalf!

– Greer Prevatte, Tryon