Businessman scolds Salem mayor and council

Steel Valley Supernationals 2009

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STAFF REPORT

SALEM — A local businessman warned Mayor Jerry Wolford and Salem City Council not to infringe on his business.

Mike Grimstad ran the After Party in Salem — dining, music and other events — while the separate Steel Valley Super Nationals were held at Quaker City Raceway north of Salem for the last four years.

The two events were completely separate, Grimstad stressed.

Grimstad told council that the administration was claiming he could not account for the payments from vendors taking part in the After Party.

“We didn’t have any vendors who paid by cash,” Grimstad said.

His organization, he said, was a nonprofit that helped promote local businesses at the race track.

Council had previously voted down Wolford’s effort to get a line item in the city budget called the “Municipal Event Fund” that would be used for funds for such events.

Wolford and Dan Swindell, who owns the raceway, have agreed verbally to run a racing event with after-hours events in the city next year.

Council went into executive session after Grimstad make his remarks. Wolford made no comment later.

Corey Ward and partner Brian Caiazza, who ran the Steel Valley Super Nationals, have indicated that they will have to find another location for racing.