Salem politicians shift focus to economic development

SALEM — The city’s political focus is switching from the Quaker Community Fire District to economic development.

“Ninety-nine of the people in Salem are saying, ‘let’s move on,’” said Michael Burns, the head of the firefighters union.

Clyde Brown, the Democrat candidate for mayor, said, “The economy is the biggest thing.”

Jerry Wolford, the Republican mayoral candidate, a Perry Township trustee and former city councilman, agrees.

“Economic development has to be the big issue of the area,” Wolford said. By the area, he said he means the both the city and township, which are closely tied.

Dennis Johnson, the Columbiana County Democrat party chairman, said of the fire district, “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

David Johnson, chairman of the county Republican Party, said that council will have to live within its means to operate and attract new businesses.

Three ward councilmen were defeated in the primary. The withdrawal from the November election last week of the last ward councilman eliminated the officials who created the district with Perry Township. The at-large and council president were voted out in 2005.

Council hoped the fire district would save money but the State Employment Relations Board and a court ruling blocked the district from operating. Council is trying to work with the trustees to legally eliminate the district that was formed in 2004.

See The Vindicator or Vindy.com on Monday for the complete story.