Your World Today - June 27, 2012

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DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT AND THE UNUSUALLY DRY CONDITIONS, ALL ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR JULY 4TH AT THE COMMONS, HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. THE CITY OF SALEM FIREWORKS DISPLAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINATELY, BUT THE SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARADE WILL START AT 6:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 4TH.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening for their regular meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission Jerry Craig was concerned that the commission does not have a complete map of the city including annexed properties. The city contracted with surveyor Craig Ruble for a city map, but the map provided has a number of parcels not included. Craig also said that the city should get an electronic file so that it can be updated. The map will be checked on. Tracy Brakefield addressed the board about the possible lease or purchase as well as renovation of the old middle school gym. The city is still waiting on an inspection from the MRPC on the property to see if there is asbestos or not. That would have to be done before bids can be let out on the property again. City Administrator Clayton Lucas then fielded questions about the city’s health care options and after a long conversation, the board elected to reject all bids and stay with the current policy with United Health Care which will cost the city $567 per employee per month, an increase of $16 from last year or about a 2.91% increase. Lucas then reported that all police radios have now been narrow banded, and that US Army Representatives want to become more involved in city events such as parades and the road rally. Mayor Gary Brown reported that 1,219 people utilized the Salem TCRC in May and another 1,376 used the Salem Fitness Center. He said that the car show on June 16th was probably the largest in Salem and that another show will be held in September featuring the Cobra Club of Mid-Missouri. The mayor broke a 2-2 tie on allowing the shooting off of fireworks in Salem from June 20th through July 10th, as Aldermen Randell and Nash voted no on the bill while Aldermen Powell and Giacomelli voted for the bill. Hours to shoot off fireworks will be from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM except on July 4th when fireworks can shot off until midnight. The city administrator presented a number of bills over $3,000 to the board. They approved paying the bill from Baird, Lightner, Millsap and Harpool for attorney fees for the ADA lawsuit for $6,717.21; approved paying the bill from Evans Enterprises for repairing the 50 horsepower Aerator Meter on the sludge holding tank for $3,079.84, approved paying the bill from Archer Engineering for the I & I study on watersheds 2 & 3 for $6,307.67, approved paying the primacy fee for water to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources of $6,657.78, and approved paying the bill from Key Sport for $5,560 for summer ball uniforms. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash said that Progressive Ozark Bank would reimburse $2,000 of that cost back to the city. The board approved the trailer court licenses for the Layman Mobile Home Court, the R & C Family Mobile Home Court, the Finest Place and the Park Street Trailer Court with the stipulation that the board can revoke their license if they do not comply with city ordinances. The board approved changing the meeting dates in July to July 9th and 23rd, approved changing the airport hanger fees from $20 per month to $40 per month, approved a 3% electric rate increase to go into effect July 1st, and approved raising the cemetery fees. The ground opening fee was $300 and will go to $450 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and increase to $500 for hours after 3:00 and on weekends, while grave spaces will increase from $250 to $400. The board then discussed the three- step pay scale prepared by City Administrator Clayton Lucas at the request of the Finance Committee that included a 50 cent per hour raise for all hourly employees and an additional $1,500 for the department heads. After a long discussion, it was determined that the board preferred the five-step pay program that Lucas submitted at a previous finance committee meeting. This program included a percentage raise as well as raises that were awarded on merit. He will prepare the new five-step program and bring it to the special meeting of the Board of Aldermen than will be held Wednesday morning at 8:00 to approve the budget. City Clerk Mary Happel presented a number of budget adjustments for the 2011-2012 budget that changed the revenues from $10,444,597 to $9,732,262; and changed the expenses from $10,400,362 to $9,639,455. An ordinance for the adjustments will have to be approved at the special meeting. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Saturday, June 9th at 1:28 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 38-year old St. Peters female for driving while intoxicated and speeding. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday, June 10th at 12:36 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Ninth in reference to a disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of a 19-year old Salem female for assaulting a 43-year old Rolla female. She was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. Later that same morning at 4:07, an officer was dispatched to McDonalds in reference to property damage. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged the glass of a door on the north side of the building. The value of the damage is approximately $500. On Monday, June 11th at 2:00 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 21-year old Salem male for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday June 18th at 1:18 in the morning, an officer transported a 69-year old Salem male to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan in lieu of a mental commitment order. Anyone with information regarding the property damage, which is still under investigation, is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds everyone to be extremely careful with fireworks during this time of very dry conditions and lack of rain. MDC also urges campers and others in the outdoors to follow precautions to protect lives, property and Missouri’s precious forests, fish and wildlife. Do not light fireworks in any areas where the sparks could ignite dry grass, leaves or other potential fire fuel. Always have an approved fire extinguisher and/or an available water supply to douse sparks or flames. Also wet the area around where fireworks are being discharged. Check with local ordinances and authorities for bans on fireworks and open burning. When making a campfire, clear a generous zone around fire rings. When humidity is low and wind is high, debris can become tinder for a stray spark or ember. Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire and never use gasoline, kerosene or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Never leave a campfire unattended!

Sports [TOP]

Yadier Molina smacked a three-run homer as part of a five-run first inning and Kyle Lohse tossed 7 1/3 strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals won its season-high fifth straight game with a 5-2 triumph over the Miami Marlins in the middle test of a three-game set. Lohse (7-2) was charged with two runs on four hits and two walks for St. Louis. Carlos Beltran registered an RBI single and scored a run for the suddenly red-hot hitting Cardinals, who have plated 43 runs during their winning streak. The Cardinals will try for the three-game sweep tonight and you can hear it on KSMO Radio, starting with the pre-game show at 5:35.

Jeff Francoeur's three-run home run punctuated a four-run eighth, as Kansas City powered past Tampa Bay, 8-2, in the middle test of a three-game series. Yuniesky Betancourt added a two-run shot, while Alex Gordon and Billy Butler drove in a run each for the Royals, who have won the first two in the set to erase a weekend sweep at the hands of the Cardinals. Bruce Chen (7-6) worked seven innings, allowing five hits and one earned run with a walk and five strikeouts. The Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays play again this afternoon.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Roger Dale Gott of Salem, age 56, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel.  Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel.  Memorials are suggested to the Gott family to help with funeral expenses.

Funeral services for Mildred Schafer of Salem, age 88, will be held Saturday at 10:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Salem Senior Center or the Salem Memorial District Hospital Auxiliary.

Weather   [TOP]

Today..Sunny and hot, high of 95.
Tonight..Mostly clear low of 65.
Thursday..Sunny and hot, high of 101.
Thursday night..Mostly clear, low of 73.
Friday..Sunny and hot, high of 101.
Friday night..Clear, low of 74.
Saturday..Sunny, high of 99.
Saturday night..Clear, low of 74.