Battle continues over Salem city position

staff report

SALEM — Mayor Jerry Wolford has asked council to take “the honorable course of action” and fund the office of safety director Greg Oesch.

Council last week voted 4-3 to strip the position and the wages from a nonbargaining wage-adjustment ordinance.

Wolford on Thursday officially vetoed the wage ordinance, which means the issue can be brought up again.

City Law Director C. Brooke Zellers, also on Thursday, issued an opinion that the position exists and that Oesch can do the work but can’t be paid. His salary is about $8,000 a year.

Wolford’s request and Zeller’s opinion are the latest moves in the running battle between the administration and city lawmakers.

Council had eliminated the safety director’s post. The administration then learned that it could create a similar post under the service director’s position. The position was created and Oesch, a Republican, was sworn in.

Council, however, decided not to fund the position, but then agreed to pay Oesch.

But the majority of Democrats on council voted earlier this month not to fund the position. Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday.