Your World Today – Wednesday, December 9, 2015
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NEWS: Wednesday, December 9, 2015
The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden said the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Parade Saturday was well attended and considered the event a success. That event included ten or so vendors that were at the old city hall Saturday selling their wares before the parade from 8:00 until 5:00. He said there would be a Planning and Zoning meeting to review zoning for parcels of land within the city limits and the Park Board would be meeting to review applications for a new Parks and Recreation Director. Walden stated Electric Department Superintendent Bryan Johns was still in the process of getting information on the different lighting for the walking trail to present to the board, some 4,249 participants used the Salem Community Center @ The Armory in November, and the City Administration Building would be closed on December 24th and 25th. Walden wanted to remind anyone interested in being part of the Salem Initiative to check out their website at www.thesaleminitiative.com. Mayor J.J. Tune reported he would like to have the alderman at the next staff meeting where he would address the supervisors. He felt there should not be the awarding of a “seniority pay” bonus just because someone has remained in a position for a number of years. He feels any bonus should be based on merit, not length of employment. He also said he would be looking to cut the budget to generate finances to pay for the upcoming sewer plant improvements. Tune also quipped that he doesn’t read blogs, but understands that apparently some of the city workers are thinking about trying to form a union. Tune is against that idea as he feels the city employees are pretty fortunate to have the job they have. The board approved Bill #3308 providing for the submission of a proposal to discontinue the application and collection of the local sales tax to the qualified voters of the City of Salem for their approval on the titling of motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors that are purchased from a source other than a licensed Missouri dealer. This proposal would be placed on the April 5th Municipal Election ballot. The board also approved Resolution 2-2015 to renew a five-year agreement to use Cintas for the city employee uniform rentals although Alderman Chad Heithold said the electric department workers need to have “arc flash” shirts for safety. City Administrator Ray Walden will check with other vendors if they have a better price on that type of shirts than Cintas before the agreement is signed although it is doubtful since Cintas has the state contract. The board went on to approve Resolution 3-2015 that provides for the Municipal Election in April on the 5th day of the month to elect one East Ward Alderman, one West Ward Alderman and Mayor. Those seats are currently occupied on the east side by Ryan Whitaker, the west side by Molly Zettel and the mayor is J.J. Tune. Only Tune has indicated that he would run for re-election. The board approved the Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman’s request to destroy old records as suggested in the Police Clerks Records Retention Schedule manual. Those records will be destroyed in the furnace at the Salem Street Department. The board also approved keeping the salaries of the newly elected officials the same where aldermen each make $400 per month for an unlimited amount of meetings and the mayor makes $1,000 per month plus authorized expenses. The board approved the purchase of additional playground surface materials for $21,161.60 from the same vendor to be placed around the new playground equipment. This will provide for six inches of material away from the equipment and eight inches of material in landing areas around the equipment. The money will come from the capital improvement fund and a budget adjustment will have to be made by ordinance at the next meeting. The aldermen would like to have this money reimbursed by the Park and Recreation Fund once money starts to be received and they can afford to pay it back. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate.
This Thursday night at the Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, you can hear the Salem Upper Elementary Choir perform starting at 6:00. There is no charge to attend the exhibit or hear the choir.
SPORTS [TOP]
The West Plains Zizzers outrebounded Salem 44-18 in the game to overcome a 1st quarter deficit to come back and beat the Tigers, 68-52. Salem could not get the perimeter shots to fall in the 2nd and 3rd quarter and got outscored 39-19. Kobe Mead led the Salem Tigers with 28 points in the game. Salem will be at Cuba Thursday night to face the Wildcats.
The Salem Lady Tigers faced off against the Ava in second round of the Cabool Tournament on Tuesday night and came away with a solid win by a final of 68-44. Payton Curley led Salem with 23 points followed by Kaleigh Nash added 12 points and Baylee Bilyeu netted 11 more. Salem plays in the Championship game on Friday night.
Salem Lady Softball Tiger 1st baseman Camryn Pryor was named to the 2015 All-O-Zone Softball Team for her proficiency in driving in runners. Pryor finished with a school-record .570 batting average, an .870 slugging average and 56 RBIs. Her 56 RBIs are the second-most in a single season found in the MSHSAA record book and was more than double the single season Salem record of 25 RBI. Pryor was named the SCA Player of the Year as she whacked three home runs, 13 doubles and eight steals while striking out just four times.
The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have acquired infielder Jedd Gyorko and cash considerations from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Jon Jay. The 27-year old Gyorko who is under contract thru 2019, was a National League Rookie of the Year finalist in 2013 and has batted .236 with 49 home runs and 171 RBI in 364 career games with the Friars.
Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen scored in the second period to help the St. Louis Blues rally for a 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night. Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes also scored for the Blues who will host Philadelphia Thursday night.
OBITUARIES [TOP]
Funeral services for Margaret “Rachel” Moreland of Vienna, age 95, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Vienna United Methodist Church in Vienna. Interment will be in the James Community Cemetery in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the “Make a Wish” Foundation in honor of Taylor Moreland. All arrangements are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary of Rolla.
Funeral services for Richard Dale “Dick” Shaw of Salem, age 77, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Funeral Service for Willis “Bill” Hunter will be at 1:00pm on Friday, December 11, at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Friday, December11 from 10:00am until service time. Interment will be in the Green Forest Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Green Forest Cemetery and Arnold Elks Lodge #2372.
WEATHER [TOP]
Today..Mostly sunny, high of 59.
Tonight..Mostly clear, low of 42.
Thursday..Mostly sunny, high of 65.
Thursday night..Mostly clear, low of 43.
Friday..Partly sunny, high of 64.
Friday night..Mostly cloudy with a slight chance for showers, low around 55.
Saturday..Cloudy with a chance for showers and thunderstorms, high of 67.
