Local News – Thursday, September 5th, 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers after a nuisance workshop and a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting. The board approved the request from Grace Community Church to close Water Street from Franklin Street to the end of their parking lot on September 15th from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and again on October 30th from 4:00 until 9:00 PM for community outreach events. Gary Brown, the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, reported on their hearing and meeting where the commission recommended allowing a conditional use permit for the Saucy Chook Pub at 206 West Fourth Street submitted by A. J. Schafer and Tina Cook. The alderman approved the conditional use permit. City Administrator Ray Walden reported on the nuisance workshop held prior to the meeting where the current nuisance ordinances were reviewed. Walden said Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was working on the final Economic Development Plan but has been sidetracked by a death in her family. Walden said interviews would be held soon in an effort to find a new Park and Recreation Director. He told the board SACBA announced the Community Betterment Judges would be in town September 10th with a presentation from 8:00 until 9:45 in the north room of the ONCRC. The event is open to the public and businesses are encouraged to use their billboards to welcome the judges. The Salem Community Center@The Armory had 4,037 participants in their August programs. Walden said the city is reviewing all the services that are currently being offered in the city administration building. They will review and evaluate those services for security purposes. Walden also said he would like to have the City Comprehensive Plan finalized for the next budget year that includes a number of different project inputs. The board approved the holding of the First Baptist Church Fall Festival Spectacular on October 5th that will include the street closings of West First Street and North Grand from 7:15 to 8:15 for a fireworks display. The board approved Bill #3428 for the mayor to execute an agreement for construction services with H.W Lochner, Inc.; approved Bill #3429 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for work at the Salem Municipal Airport, and they approved Resolution 22-2019 for the execution of MoDOT documents related to the Salem Municipal Airport State Block Grant. The board approved the Fall Clean-Up Week to be October 7th through the 11th and approved City Clerk Mary Happel to attend the annual LAGERS meeting to be held in Springfield on October 24th and 25th. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Community Center@ The Armory and Your Community Cares Rural Health Coalition is hosting an Opioids and the Workforce Conference on Tuesday, September 10th in Salem from 9:30 in the morning until 4:45 in the afternoon. At a time when workforce development is cited as a top concern for businesses, an individual who fails a drug test for the first time is as likely to be terminated; leaving a shortage of workforce. In addition to higher absenteeism and lower job productivity and performance, the workforce has additional costs for health care expenses for injuries and illnesses. It is essential that employers understand the science of addiction, it’s prevalence among working adults, and how they can be connected to the prevention, treatment and recovery communities to support their employees. Employers may save up to $2,607 per worker annually by assisting and supporting employees with treatment according to the National Safety Council. Speakers will assist businesses in building solutions to the opioid epidemic in their workplace and community. At the same time, this provides an opportunity for individuals to gain or retain the employment they need as part of their recovery. employment they need as part of their recovery. The conference will feature local businesses and persons with lived experience that recognize the value of seeking treatment and supporting recovery and will be broken out into three sessions. The first session will define the crisis of opioid use and why its impact on the workforce matters along with the economic impact of addiction on individuals, businesses, and the community; the second session will describe examples of pathways of treatment and steps that can be taken to bring people in recovery successfully back into the workforce; and the third session will include a discussion on how businesses should be a recovery friendly workplace. They will discuss and review examples of administration guidance that provide a second chance concept in hiring and retaining employees. For more information or to register for the conference please contact Sherry Lea at 573-729-8163 or e-mail her sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.