Archive for 2018

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board discussed bids for an excavator for the cemetery. After a discussion about a Kubota and a John Deere Bobcat, the board postponed making a decision until they can find out if they could lease a machine for three months on a trial basis. The board did approve the bid from Heavin Motors to replace the 5.4 liter engine and transmission in a 2006 F-250 truck for $6,183.56, and approved the bid for a Zero Turn Mower from Heritage Tractor in Rolla for $7,493.73. Both of the items were for the Water and Sewer Department. For the police department, the board approved the purchase of a 2018 Dodge Charger from Lou Fusz Ford for the state bid of $23,638.00 that will replace a 2014 Dodge Charger with 49,500 miles; and they approved the purchase of a 2019 Ford Explorer from Dave Sinclair Ford for $29,554 that will replace a 2010 Ford Explorer with 68,500 miles. No bids were received for a Zero Turn Mower for the Park and Recreation Department and that will be rebid, while the board did approve the bid from Flight Light, Inc. for a new rotating beacon at the airport for $3,978.00. The board also discussed the purchase of light and heavy duty truck diagnostic scanning tools for the city shop. After a long discussion, the board approved the motion to go with the NAPA Auto Parts bid of $4,869.00 with the contingency that they demonstrate the tool in the near future to show that it meets the needs of the city. Code Enforcement Officer Jared Brown explained the nuisance procedures that have to be done before action can be taken on a person’s property and he recommends that an Administrative Fee be added for nuisance abatements. City Attorney William Camm Seay said that may not be legal and that will have to be discussed when the ordinances are to be updated to see if it is possible. City Administrator Ray Walden said the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 5,790 persons utilizing their services in July, and a Visioning Tool Kit that came from the Drury University students will be reviewed by a follow-up committee at a meeting to determine if some recommendations from the Visioning sessions need to be brought back before the board. Walden also said the roof project has been completed on the City Hall Auditorium and the Auditorium Committee will be meeting to discuss ceiling options. Mayor Brad Nash asked Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon about the tennis court lights and Lydon told him they had been repaired along with a dusk-to-dawn light at the basketball court. The board approved Resolution 3-2018 that adopted the Dent County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved Bill #3995 to vacate an undeveloped portion of South Oak Street between East Hunt Street and East Franklin Avenue, and approved Bill #3996 to approve the re-subdivision of the city property at 400, 402, 500 and 502 North Water Street. The board approved changing the meeting dates in September to accommodate the Missouri Municipal League meeting in the middle of the month as well as the Labor Day Holiday. The only meeting in September will be on Monday, the 10th at 7:00 with the next meeting on Monday, October 1st. The board then went into closed session to discuss personnel.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for July 28th through 30th. On Saturday morning the 28th at approximately 12:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of West Franklin Street in reference to a stolen animal. The Investigation Of the report revealed a black and white pit bull valued at $50.00 was taken from the residence. The report is under investigation. Just a few minutes later at approximately 12:56, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. This investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year old male of Salem for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was incarcerated pending a warrant application. On Sunday, July 29th at approximately 8:00 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Independence Drive in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took plants, yard ornaments and lights valued at $75.00. The report is under investigation. On Monday the 30th at approximately 2:03 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Washington Street in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown took tools valued at $400.00 from the back of a truck. The report is under investigation. That same night at approximately 8:10, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 23-year old male of Cuba, Missouri for stealing merchandise valued at $100.15. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

A Primary Election was held Tuesday to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. In some cases, the election determined who will take office in January. Those offices include the Dent County Presiding Commissioner race, Public Administrator race and Dent County Collector race. A total of 4,022 votes were cast which is 40.65% of the registered voters. Only the contested races are presented and the results presented are unofficial.
* indicates winner.

Dent County Presiding Commissioner

Darrell Skiles*   1,678 votes
Travis Fulton     1,574 votes

Dent County Collector

Shannon VanKirk*    2,134 votes
Nancy M. Inman       1,098 votes

Public Administrator

Sherida Cook*      1,689 votes
Nikki Eaton         1,402 votes

The 143rd State Representative race was also decided in the Republican primary. Other results show the winner of the Republican Primary and they will face an opponent in the November General Election.

State Representative District 143

Jeffrey Pogue*       4,270 votes
Jack Bates              1,405 votes

Circuit Judge Circuit 42 Division 1

Megan Seay*        6,095 votes
Scott Bernstein    3,255 votes
Glenn Hall            1,210 votes

State Senator 16th District

Justin Dan Brown*     10,528 votes
Diane Franklin              9,243 votes
Keith Frederick             6,497 votes
Chris McElvy, Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail Administrator, was named 2018 Jail Administrator of the Year at the annual jail administrators’ conference held recently. McElvy was nominated by Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells. She has been in the Jail Administrator since January of 2017. McElvy’s law enforcement career began in Perry County in 1998.