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At the Missouri Community Betterment Awards banquet held Monday night at Lake Ozark, the City of Salem was awarded First Place in Category Five before being awarded the Gene Speichinger “Community of the Year Award” over the other 29 communities that entered this year. Salem also won the “Community of the Year Award” back in 2001. The Missouri Community Betterment judges and Board members were impressed with the community planning process undertaken by Salem. It was very clear how this year’s projects came from community need discussions. It was also easy to see how this year’s projects will serve as foundations for projects to follow in the upcoming years. Other first place winners from the immediate area included Steelville, Houston and South Iron/Annapolis. Other awards handed out to individuals from Salem at the banquet included an Adult Leadership Award to Jerry Lough, a Youth Leadership Award to Matt Sirois and the Missouri Community Betterment 2012 Ambassador Award was presented to 8^th District Representative Jason Smith. The Awards Banquet is an integral part of the MCB program, which is administered by the Missouri Community Betterment Educational Fund. MCBEF is a not-for-profit organization made up of businesses, public utilities, community representatives, federal and state agencies and individuals. Congratulations to the Salem Area Community Betterment Association, all those who contributed to the Project Book and all the individuals who were saluted!!!

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers Monday night. In bids, City Administrator Clayton Lucas presented the bid for aviation fuel from Nagler Oil at $4.52 a gallon as Salem will split a load of fuel with another airport. The total cost of the first purchase this fiscal year comes to $20,340 and Lucas said the city budgeted $25,000 for fuel purchases which they will exceed this fiscal year if more fuel is needed, but Lucas said the city sells the fuel for $5.40 a gallon so the increased costs will also result in an increase in revenue. The board approved the purchase. The Board approved the purchase from Republic Ford for a Ford F-450 with a steel dump bed for $38,762 if purchased by October 31^st. The Board then approved the purchase of an 11-foot steel dump bed for the street department to put on the new truck from Crown Beds for $8,580. After the consent agenda was approved that showed that sales tax revenue collections down for the month of September and also down $53,000 year-to date, the board approved Resolution #11-2013 allowing the mayor to execute an agreement for services between the city of Salem and the Salem TCRC for $10,000. Administrator Lucas said the Planning and Zoning Commission held a workshop last Monday and made a list of priorities to address with the first priority being re-occupancy permits. This will be discussed at their next workshop on Monday night. Lucas said this Saturday would be Drug Take-Back Day at the Salem Police Department from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM for old or outdated prescription drugs. Mayor Gary Brown reported that the city has until October 31^st to submit any changes to the code of ordinances put together by Sullivan Publications before they start putting them online. He also reported that information printed in the Salem News last week naming the person who received a verbal reprimand in closed session after being given a written reprimand in closed session was in violation of the Sunshine Law and city ordinances. He said he has been in contact with the city’s insurance company should there be a lawsuit and they would represent the city except for the person who divulged the information who would have to get their own legal representation. According to the Missouri Municipal League, that person could also face impeachment.  Brown said that the electronic and tire collection held this past Saturday collected 47 TV’s and 34 monitors as well as 144 passenger tires, two truck tires and a small lawnmower tire. Total receipts from the collection came to $629. The Board approved Bill #3274 that allows the mayor to execute a contract with Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for the airport pavement maintenance that will not exceed $115,149, and approved Bill #3275 to rezone 900 South MacArthur from Residential to Commercial. The board discussed limiting parking to one side of the street on South Washington and South Jackson Streets. An ordinance will be drawn up and be presented to the Board at the next meeting. The board then went into closed session to discuss contracts and litigation.

The MU Extension will offer a free evening program that will help you interpret your soil and hay test results, as well as learn how you can use this information to make your enterprise more profitable. This program will be held on October 24, 7:00 pm at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room. Please RSVP for this program by calling the Dent County Extension Office by October 22ND. If you have questions or need assistance with proper sampling technique, preparation, or submittal, wish to borrow our soil auger or hay probe, or would like to receive more information about this event, please contact the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196 or email Ted Cunningham, Livestock Specialist at cunninghamtc@missouri.edu.

The Salem Police Department released their reports. On Wednesday, October 9^th at 5:20 in the evening, an officer was detailed to the 1300 block of South Louise in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a fuel tank, valued at $150, from a boat parked at a residence. On Thursday, October 10^th at 8:45 in the evening, a 26-year old Salem female was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center in lieu of a mental commitment order. On Saturday, October 12^th at 5:05 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of South Macarthur in reference to a violation of an ex-parte order. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 34-year old Salem male for violating the order. He was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. Later that morning at 8:22 an officer responded to a residence in the 500 block of East Roosevelt in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 54-year old Salem male for disorderly conduct.  He was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. At 12:26 that afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Auto Zone parking lot located at 501 West Highway 32 in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed that a 38-year old male and a 44-year old female, both of Salem, had assaulted a 59-year old Salem male.  Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspects, who were issued summonses to appear in court and released. And later that same afternoon at 3:22, a vehicle was stopped for an investigation of a fugitive warrant. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 24-year old Salem female on an active arrest warrant from St. James. She was released with a new court date after posting bond. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding the theft report, which is still under investigation.

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