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The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday night in the City Hall Council Chambers. Alderwoman Molly Zettel was not in attendance due to an illness. The board heard from David Klotz and Doug Dreisel from Lake Paradise Studios who produce the half-hour TV program “Houston Downtown After Hours.” The show airs on KOZL TV out of Springfield Sunday mornings at 6:30. Dreisel said their time in Houston is up and they need to move onto another venture. They would like to come to Salem to do the same type of show that highlights some local events and talents, special town events and with humor added. The cost would be $500 per episode for the city government for at least the first ten episodes or as Dreisel called it “seasons.” They offer shout outs to local businesses for $15 which includes their name and address, plus commercial inclusions are available for a higher cost. They wanted an answer Monday night, but the council wanted to see a video they brought along before making any decision. The board approved the bid from Advanced Electrical Systems for $9,100 to install a 400 amp, three phase panel at the Salem Police Station as the current power needs are maxed out and the current breaker box was installed in the 1950’s and parts are no longer easily available. This was a budgeted item for $10,500. City Administrator Ray Walden saluted Salem News reporter Brenda Jessen on her last meeting as she is retiring. He said he has talked with the city engineers to identify issues with the work done by MoDOT on the McArthur project. There have been numerous complaints about the work and even the new surface. Walden said he is continuing his mapping efforts for the Planning and Zoning Committee, and he said the water and sewer rate study is to be ready this month. He also said the asphalt paving company has not set their schedule when they will be completing the city streets that were not asphalted this autumn. Walden also wants to remind everyone the city offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Mayor J.J. Tune reported on the Service Recognition Dinner held last Friday for the city employees to honor employees for their years of service, and also reminded the aldermen that Parks and Recreation Department will be meeting Wednesday at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. That meeting is open to the public. The board approved paying the bill from William Camm Seay for the local portion of the city’s lawsuit with Embarq and Centurylink of $4,012.50, and also approved the purchase of a pad mount transformer for the new Dollar General Store from Solomon Corporation for $6,300. The city will be reimbursed this amount from the contractors. The meeting was then adjourned. 

On November 25th, a Dent County Courthouse employee witnessed one male and two females stealing Christmas tree ornaments from the handrail in front of the Courthouse. After further investigation, the suspects were identified as Michael G. Smith, Morgan Norman and Linda Anderson. Total value of the ornaments was $9.00. Smith, Norman and Anderson received a summons for Theft Stealing Less than $500. Then on December 6th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call concerning a possible drunk driver on Highway 32 East. With the information given, deputies were able to locate the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop. After further investigation, 23-year old Joseph Lepinski of Kentucky, was placed under arrest for driving while being intoxicated. Lepinski was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, processed, and received two summonses for Failure to stop at a Stop Sign and Driving While Intoxicated. The above information is just an accusation, and is not evidence of guilt. Any evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The 2014 Christmas Trees and Trains Exhibit will be held now through December 24th at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Highway 19 in Salem. The exhibit will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Saturday. The exhibit will also be open on Sunday, December 21st from 1:00 to 5:00 and will be open on Wednesday, December 24th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Be sure and stop by on Saturday, December 13th or December 20th and visit with Santa in his workshop. Santa will be there from 1:00 to 5:00 each day. For more information regarding the 2014 Christmas Trees and Trains Exhibit call 729-0029.

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