Mayor-elect of Salem plans to assess needs before January

The mayor will look at issues that reflect community
values.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — Mayor-elect Jerry Wolford wants people and possibly some policies in place before he takes office in January.

Wolford said Monday it’s not clear yet who his administration may have to, or be able to, replace.

City Law Director C. Brooke Zellers was unavailable to comment on which jobs could be changed.

Service Director Joe Julian had indicated earlier that he would be retiring at the end of Mayor Larry DeJane’s tenure. DeJane did not seek a fourth term.

Scott Cranmer, a Democrat and former police officer, is the city’s safety director who was defeated in this year’s primary for mayor. He could not be reached to comment on whether he would try to stay on under Wolford.

Steve Faber is the director of the city parks department. Wolford said he wasn’t sure if the parks director answers to the three-man parks commission or to the mayor.

The park’s Web site says the director answers to the parks commission, which is appointed by the mayor. Faber’s been the director since 1992.

There is also an administrative assistant in city hall. Wolford said he isn’t sure yet if that is an appointed position or if the worker is in a union.

Wolford is asking interested people to notify him in writing of their interest in the positions by Nov. 21 to 105 E. State St., where the longtime barber plies his trade.

Wolford said he plans to keep what he called “mayor’s hours” of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in city hall.

“I’m hoping for a nice transition,” he added.

Wolford said he wanted to assess some policies that have been in effect for several years. Some of the policies relate to community values, he added.

One issue is snow removal. The city, citing a tight budget, puts road salt on intersections but only puts grit on streets. City officials have also said that snow removal on sidewalks is the responsibility of merchants. Some stores shovel and de-ice the sidewalks, and others do some or no removal.

City officials have also been criticized by the Beautification Committee, a volunteer group that helps to maintain planters and greenery throughout the downtown. City officials have also cited a tight budget for not taking care of landscaped areas.

The beautification committee will have a cleanup day starting at 11 a.m. Saturday in preparation for the city’s Christmas events on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Audrey Null, the executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said final portions of a long-term plan for the city are being completed. Wolford has been active in the economic development portion of the study that addresses some of those issues, she said.

wilkinson@vindy.com