mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM – A proposal to make additional residential areas in the city eligible for a tax abatement on new construction is headed to city council.
The Economic Development Committee agreed Tuesday to recommend city council change the boundaries of the Community Reinvestment Area to include sections previously excluded as a way to attract more new housing, which is lacking in the city.
“I don’t see much downside to it, if any at all,” Councilman Jake Gano said.
In February, Gano brought up the idea of reviewing the CRA program so that certain housing developments shut out during the last revision in 2017 could be included.
May 4, 2021
SALEM Memorial Day remembrances in Salem will take place over two days this year, with a wreath-placement ceremony, parade and brief program on May 29 and a service on May 31.
Due to the pandemic, there was no procession or parade and only a brief ceremony at Hope Cemetery to mark Memorial Day last year.
Councilman Dennis Plegge confirmed Monday that Mayor John Berlin will place a wreath at the veterans’ memorial in front of city hall during a brief ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday on Memorial Day weekend.
A parade will begin at 10 a.m., leaving from city hall on South Broadway Avenue, traveling north to East State Street, then east on State and north on North Lincoln Avenue, ending at Hope Cemetery.
Apr 30, 2021
Salem parks commissioner John Panezott, (from left) parks foreman Jim Grimm and Mayor John Berlin stand near a fantail willow tree planted at the Pollinator Garden in Waterworth Memorial Park. Arbor Day is being celebrated nationwide today. Panezott and Grimm are holding fir tree seedlings yet to be planted. Fir and a variety of other tree seedlings are being planted throughout the parks and at the city lake. Berlin holds a proclamation which recognizes Salem as a Tree City USA community for the 38th consecutive year. (Submitted photo)
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mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM Mayor John Berlin said Salem’s outlook for 2021 looks hopeful, with the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, businesses reopened and the unemployment rate going down.
Berlin delivered the message of hope during his annual State of the City address Tuesday night, reading from a 12-page document outlining the activities of the various city departments, city finances and economic development in 2020.
Throughout the report, the presence of the pandemic was evident as he talked about events cancelled, a drop in city income tax receipts, the increased activity of the city health department and purchases made courtesy of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
mgreier@salemnews.net
Patrolman Mike Wirkner watches while his mom, Nina, pins on his badge as the newest full-time police officer with the city of Salem during a ceremony Wednesday morning. Mayor John Berlin administered the oath of office, witnessed by fellow officers and Wirknerâs wife, Jessica. Wirkner has been with the department part-time since August 2016. The full-time spot opened up when another patrol officer was reassigned to the Columbiana County Drug Task Force following the retirement of Sgt. John Scheets. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)
SALEM Patrolman Mike Wirkner swore his oath as Salem’s newest full-time officer Wednesday morning, a career highlight he’s hoped for the past decade.