Salem council to transfer funding for H1N1 program

By D.a. Wilkinson

SALEM — Council members had to juggle their schedules to fund an H1N1 program through the city’s recently restarted health department.

Council on Wednesday gave the first of three needed readings to transfer $17,800 within the general fund and appropriate it within the health department.

With two of the seven council members absent, council could not vote on the measure as an emergency, restricting action to the first reading.

The other two readings must occur 24 hours apart and have been set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. That could change if the absent two members return, enabling an emergency final vote.

Efforts in the fight against H1N1 so far have been aimed at pregnant women, young children and health-care providers.

In other matters, city Treasurer Robert Tullis said declines in city income-tax receipts in the last two months have remained steady at 8.69 percent.

That may be a sign that the poor economy is starting to bottom out and could be heading upward, he said.

In another move, the city for years has sent out copies of various reports to officials, the media and other interested parties.

“We’re going paperless,” Tullis said. From now on, income tax and other information will be sent by computers. However, residents can still get the information on paper.

In comments by council members, Earl A. Schory II congratulated winners in Tuesday’s election, and Clyde Brown welcomed the new members of council.

Schory, Brown and Justin Palmer were elected four years ago over a battle to do away with the city fire department and create a fire district with Perry Township.

Tod A. Mumpire also was elected at that time to be president of council. They are all Democrats.

Palmer moved to Washington, D.C., to become a legislative aide. Schory was defeated in this year’s primary, and Brown and Mumpire were defeated Tuesday.

K. Bret Apple had been appointed to fill Palmer’s place. He also had the most votes in Tuesday’s council race.

Republican Bryan Whitehill came in second with 1,646 votes, and Republican Joseph Radin Jr. had 1,408 votes. Randall Colian, a Democrat, had 1,403 votes.

Columbiana County elections officials said there is a chance that the Colian and Radin tallies could change because about 34 people may have cast absentee ballots and also voted at the polls.

wilkinson@vindy.com