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The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Mayor Gary Brown about the city inspections by Rick Raw concerning the dog Lacey as well as the dog’s medical records before Laurie Walker spoke. She still feels that violations are continuing though not as bad, and feels that Salem should take the lead in protecting pets in the state of Missouri. She says that a dog-licensing ordinance would help generate revenue that could be used to improve the animal shelter, but the board took no action. City Engineer Bill Huffman discussed the sidewalk construction bids and the city only received one bid that conformed to their unit cost request. They decided to rebid the project. The board accepted the bid from Automated Business Systems for the new computer systems for Economic Development Director Sharon Tubbs for $1,667 that was budgeted, and the new computer system for City Engineer Bill Huffman for $1,495, which was not budgeted. Each computer comes with a three year on site warranty. Alderman Nash and Riley voted against the engineering computer as it was not budgeted while Aldermen McDaniels and Jackson voted for the purchase. Mayor Brown broke the tie with a yes vote. The board then discussed the proposed tax rate of $0.624 that would generate $287,370.94. The rate for 2007 was at $0.62 and the increased tax rate would only generate an additional $22, but Alderman Riley and Nash voted against the tax rate increase and to leave it the same, while Alderman McDaniels and Jackson voted to increase the rate. Mayor Brown again broke the tie by voting yes after placing $22 dollars from his pocket on the desk to show the increase. The board approved the consent agenda that included Resolution 2-2008 that showed that the tax increase for parks and recreation and storm water control failed with 682 “no” votes to 299 “yes” votes. Alderman Riley asked about the street paving and Street Superintendent Bennie Bryson reported that the streets are being done in smaller increments in case the city runs out of money due to the high cost of asphalt. He said that work at the city park and Brandon Heights would be next. Alderman McDaniels was pleased with the response of the city workers in keeping a list of things to be done when they are driving around to save gas. Economic Development Director Sharon Tubbs said the city wide yard sale would be held on October 4^th, and that the website is now up and running. She also reported that Jadwin Wood and Trim has moved into the old Barad’s building, and that the Rightway Remanufactured Homes reached their second employment level now with a total of 13 employees. Mayor Gray Brown said that the city auditors, Verkamp and Malone, were now performing the annual audit. He said he spoke to MoDOT about the Safe Routes to School sidewalk on Highway 19 and they wanted to know if there would need to be a crosswalk. He also inquired from MoDOT about the city taking over the Highway 19 North park, and he received from them a fax that to take the crown out of McArthur Avenue, it would cost about $628,728, which is more than the city has available for that project. Brown said that 77 people attended the recycling center this Saturday and the parts for the timers for the city park lights are on order. Brown did report that the oil that came from the downed transformers at MFA about three weeks ago that made David Sutton sick came back PCB free, and he received permission from DNR to use that oily rock that was removed from MFA where asphalting was to be done. The board approved Bill #3139 that authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with Air Evac EMS, Inc. for the leasing of the property at the Salem Airport, and they approved Bill #3140 that set the tax levy for the year 2008 at $0.624 per $100 assessed valuation with Mayor Brown again casting the deciding vote. Mayor Brown then said that City Attorney Mark Weaver would be leaving his position as city attorney after the September 2^nd Board of Aldermen meeting. After the bills were approved, the board went into closed session.

The Dent County Commission held the annual Tax Levy Hearing at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. For the General Revenue Fund, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported for 2007, the levy was set at .0350.  For 2008, Dent County’s assessed value is $150,537,365, which would allow a levy of .1107. Commissioner J.J. Tune voted to leave the levy set at .0350 and Commissioners Bobby Simpson and Darrell Skiles also voted yes. For the Road and Bridge Fund, the 2007 levy was set at .2550 and could be raised to .2583 for 2008. Commissioner Simpson voted to keep the levy at .2550 and Commissioners Tune and Skiles both agreed. For 2007, the Senate Bill 40 levy, which funds the Sheltered Workshop, was set at .1500 and the SB-40 Board made a recommendation to the Commission to keep the levy at .1500 and all three Commissioners voted yes. The Senior Citizens Service Fund Board levy was set at .0453 in 2007 and the state auditor made the recommendation to keep it the same for 2008 and all three Commissioners voted to keep the levy at .0453. With no changes being made, the hearing was adjourned.

Sports [TOP]

The St. Louis Cardinals had the day off yesterday and begin a two-game series with Pittsburgh tonight at Busch Stadium. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio starting at 6:55.

The Kansas City Royals also had the day off yesterday and they will travel to Cleveland to face the Indians starting a three game series tonight.

Major League Baseball Scores:

Boston 6, Baltimore 3
Tampa Bay 6, LA Angels 4
Detroit 8, Texas 7
Oakland 3, Minnesota 2
Chicago 13, Seattle 5
Milwaukee 9, Houston 3
Pittsburgh 5, NY Mets 2
San Francisco 5, Atlanta 0

The beginning of high school sports is almost here as the Lady Tiger Softball teams will open the season at Newburg next Monday and at Waynesville next Tuesday starting at 4:30. The Salem Football Tigers will begin their regular season at Mountain Grove on August 29^th starting at 7:00.

Obituaries   [TOP].

Today..Partly cloudy, high of 86.
Tonight..Mostly cloudy, low of 62.
Wednesday..Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance for showers, high of 82.
Wednesday night..Mostly cloudy with a 60% chance for showers and thunderstorms, low of 63.
Thursday..Mostly cloudy with a 70% chance for showers and thunderstorms, high of 79.