Salem recall moves forward

Salem resident Bob Bland, who initiated the recall, asked for an update after a phone conversation in which he said Davis told him City Clerk Kayla Lowther was not certified to run an election and Davis would need to send a letter to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Davis said he did not recall the conversation and did not send a letter.

“I’m not going to stop. I don’t care if an election is coming up,” Bland said.

Mayor Bobby Samples reiterated that Bland and Davis are to work out the details of accepting what is needed to move forward.

The cost of a recall election was first estimated to be $3,500, requiring a 10 percent fee of $350, Lowther determined. The fee was then changed to $3,500, which residents Bland and Kenny Truex tried to submit in the form of a cashier’s check, only to learn it must be a bond.

All seats are up for election on June 4.

In another recurring issue, council discussed at length the validity of charging Salem International University business and occupation taxes.

Newly appointed member Phyllis Plaugher said the city manager must bill SIU before trying to reconsider a vote on charging the college taxes. SIU got a business license from the city on July 1, 2012, although it became a for-profit school in 2005.

“If there is a business for profit, why don’t they pay? Nothing against the college,” she said.

SIU President John Luotto was quick to answer.

“Our fates are intertwined. The kind of society I want to live in does not tax education. The key to growth and success is education. We are celebrating 125 years here,” Luotto said. “Let’s build this community around the university.”

Samples said he received an Ethics Commission opinion that council could reconsider the vote.

No further action was taken on the issue.

Also, council approved a $125,000 right-of-way contract with Crestwood Pipeline to install a 16-inch natural gas pipeline near the border of city-owned property above the Upper Dog Run reservoir. It will be located between the current Bluestone Energy pipeline and the edge of the ridge line.

A considerable amount of timber would have to be cut in order to build the pipeline. Crestwood has agreed to turn over the marketable timber to the city for sale.

Staff writer Darlene J. Taylor-Morgan can be reached at (304) 626-1403 or by email at dtaylor@exponent-telegram.com