Local News – Friday, June 9th, 2017

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Wednesday, June 7th, at the Salem Communuity Center@The Armory. After a closed session meeting on personnel, officers were elected for the 2017-2018 year. Re-elected president and vice-president were Stan Podorski and Kyle Williams, respectively, and Angie Curley was elected secretary. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon and Podorski discussed the problems with swimming pool that has prevented it from being opened. After a visual inspection of the pool by Lydon, the pool was filled to a level of about two inches below the skimmer line and it would not rise any higher. Before attempting to fix leaks in the pool with a product that works in water, Lydon, Podorski and Water and Sewer Superintendent Jack Emory checked the drain line at the creek that comes from the drain system under the pool and found the pool was leaking at a pace of about 16 gallons per minute or over 24,000 gallons per day. The decision was made to drain the pool where it was found that old patch work done on the pool had failed and all three seams in the pool had failed. A permanent corrective action was sought that required sandblasting the pool at a cost of between $15,000 and $20,000, but no sandblaster could be found that would come to the area. Making the decision then to re-patch the pool and do a permanent fix after the season was decided on only to find the required patch product was not available and would take 7-10 business days to be shipped, followed by the scraping and applying to the pool which would take another two days at a minimum, followed by a curing period of another 5-7 days. It is still the desire of the Park Board to get the pool open this year if possible so the board unanimously voted to hold off making a final decision for two weeks to allow pool companies and/or contractors to assess the damage to the pool, see what they recommend for the pool this season, and what can be done to the pool to upgrade it for the next season as well as how much it would cost. This would include not only the surface structure of the pool but also pipe replacement. For the baseball, softball and T-Ball program, Lydon reported the T-Ball Fields now have foul lines, base lines, batters boxes and foul poles to make them look like a real ballfield. He purchased a new pitching machine to replace the old that was over 20 years old, new bases and new catching gear. Also food items are being served this year at the Little League Field. It was also noted the concessions at Al Brown Fields are being done through June and for a tournament in July by the NASP parents to raise funds to send the archery kids down to Orlando, Florida. The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2017-2018 budget for the Parks and Recreation Department with the understanding that depending on what needed to be done to the pool could force some changes to be made on getting some other projects done. The board also reviewed a priority list of projects to be done this summer, plus projects that will attempt to be done in the next three years depending upon what needs to be done with the pool. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened in Dent County on Highway 68 about five miles north of Salem Wednesday afternoon at 4:05. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis driven westbound by 52-year old Ardean Ashelman of Salem, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto a county road when at that time a 1998 Peterbilt driven westbound by Lawrence White of Salem attempted to pass on the left, striking the Grand Marquis. Suffering serious injuries was the driver, Ardean Ashelman, and was she was transported by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Also injured in the collision was 25-year old Bethany Ashelman of Salem who was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Another passenger in the vehicle, 29-year old Andrew Ashelman of Salem, was not injured. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Grand Marquis was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler while the Peterbilt had minor damage and was driven from the scene.

Salem Public Library has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to make fishing more accessible through MDC’s Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. Through the Rod & Reel Loaner Program individuals can check out fishing poles and tackle boxes for free using their library cards at Salem Public Library. The fishing poles are equipped with standard spin-cast reels. The tackle boxes are supplied with hooks, sinkers and bobbers for basic fishing opportunities. People need to bring their own live bait or desired lures to bait the hook. Mary Scott, Fisheries Management Biologist with MDC summarized the program by emphasizing the importance of activities like fishing in getting children to spend more time outdoors. This program is an effort by MDC to increase fishing opportunities for all Missouri citizens. To learn more about where or how to fish go online to mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a public auction of various used Department vehicles and equipment on Saturday, June 10th, starting at 10:00 a.m. At the Salem Maintenance Center located at the junction of Highway 72 and Highway 32 in Salem. The auction will include boats, outboard motors, tractors, dozers, farm equipment and vehicles. Cash, check, and credit/debit cards will be accepted. As required by state statute, MDC must charge a convenience fee to all customers who pay by credit or debit card. Those interested can view auction items today at the Salem Maintenance Center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with pre-registration starting at 9:00 am. Registration the day of the sale begins at 7:30 am. A complete lot listing and terms of sales will be available at the registration desk the day of the auction. There is also a list of auction items is available online at mdc.mo.gov/auction.