Local News – Wednesday, September 8th, 2021
The Dent County Commissioners held a meeting Tuesday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. City of Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance and presented her monthly report on possible economic development leads including one state lead. Burbridge talked about the voluntary residential demolition program where the owners of the three properties have paid their portions and the demolitions should begin this week. She said she has been talking with communities about getting a sample bid for doing timber clearing in the certified site area as that will have to be done between the months of November and March. She said the “Love Thy Neighbor” program worked on seven houses between August 8th and 12th with three major projects and four smaller ones. She also said $80,000 was secured for next year through the Southcentral Missouri Community Action Agency. Burbridge reported the city submitted an application for the construction trades program for the “Strong Communities Award” from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines on August 27th. The winner will receive $15,000 and $3,000 goes to the runners-up. She also talked with the commissioners about the Dent County July unemployment rate sinking to 3.8% in July from the five percent mark in June. The rate plummeted when the COVID unemployment benefits in Missouri stopped and the Dent County Civilian Work Force dropped by 291 people who either stopped looking for work or became employed. She said there will be a mixer on Tuesday, September 14th from 6:00 until 8:00 at Echo Bluff State Park Lodge to pull individuals and agencies interested in economic development together. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5650 and 6190 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 6040. He also said the bridge work on Dent County Road 4210 is now expected to last a month where the road will be closed. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4020 while only grading would be done on county road 2210. He said brush would be cut on county road 2240 and a man would be doing chip and seal patch repair on county road 3220 where a vehicle caused damage to the road. Larson said a grader is down from last week as they are waiting on a repair person. If they can repair the machine, additional grading will be done. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending an External Relations meeting Thursday as well as the MRPC Board meeting in St. James. He also wanted to congratulate the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for another successful rodeo over the Labor Day holiday. The commissioners agreed to seek bids next week for propane for the courthouse for the winter on a keep filled basis. The bids will be due by 10:00 the morning of September 27th. At the last meeting, the commissioners agreed to a contract with Corky Stack from Stack Engineering on the scope of the exterior work project for the courthouse, his services and putting the needed work out for bid. The contract calls for an 11% fee plus an hourly rate for inspections on the courthouse. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting tonight at 5:45 in closed session to discus personnel and contracts at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The meeting was called by Mayor Kim Steelman.
Representatives from the Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park this Saturday. The meeting will begin at 1:00 in the afternoon at the campground amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its operations. The representatives from the park will be present to provide information and to answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-548-2201. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.