There are five candidates seeking the two open seats on the Salem City Council in the April 6th election. The five all expressed their reasons for running during a candidates forum sponsored by WJBD radio and the Salem Theatre.
Jacob Hockett was appointed to fill the council seat held by the late Sue Morgan when she was appointed Mayor. Hockett says he wants to see Sue’s dream of the soccer field complex completed and leave as memorable impression on the community as Morgan.
“I came into this not to bring about a bunch of changes but more to see that we continue as a city on the path that we are on. We have some amazing department heads who understand fiscal responsibility and go out of their way to stay within budget. From what I’ve seen in my short time on council, the city is well managed and every effort is made to keep from raising taxes on our citizens when at all possible. We have an amazing team in place currently that works really well together and I can tell they have Salem’s best interest at heart in every decision made and it’s an honor to be a part of that team.”
Royce Bringwald previously served on the city council from 2011 to 2015 and has lived in Salem the past 51 years, graduating from Salem High School and having a 42 year career with the Missouri and then Union Pacific Railroad before retiring. He noted finding the UP Foundation and helping to obtain several thousand dollars in grants during his prior years of service and feels he has even more time now to work for the city since he is retired.
“I believe that I have a common sense approach and believe in fiscal responsibility. I also believe it’s getting more and more difficult to recruit business to Illinois let alone small town southern Illinois. Our tax base also shrinks as the population leaves the state down to our county and city. I don’t specifically know what the answer is, but we are going to have to get creative.”
Jim Koehler was initially appointed to the council and then elected to a two year term. He is a lifelong Salem resident and retired Salem Community High School teacher and coach.
“I was proud to be elected and have served the city to the best of my abilities. I’ve volunteered, help establish programs in the community, I’ve helped with the poor and our schools. I’ve supported our police and will continue to do so. I will continue to keep our city on financially stable bases, protect our citizens and I’m looking forward to seeing more work completed on the new police station and the soccer complex.”
This is the first run for public office for Seth Dawson who moved to Salem in 2008 and is a Salem Community High School Graduate. He said he has fallen in love with the community and says there is something different about Salem residents that draws him back. Dawson has watched his classmates leave town and would like to see more opportunities to allow them to return if they so desire.
“I would love for this opportunity to make a change on the city council. To be able to offer a different, maybe younger perspective on everything. I’m just your regular, average American and want to see this city grow no matter what it takes.”
Neal Canon said he is a lifelong Republican, conservative, anti-tax, and a Baptist. He called the city an economic disaster and not because of COVID. He cited a number of business closures and blamed the current city administration for not doing more to try and stop them from leaving.
“These empty stores, businesses, etc. shed a very bad image on Salem. When economic development people come into a town they drive through anonymously and when they see how bad a town is they drive up to the next town. And we need to clean up the north, south, east, west entrances to Salem.”
Cannon said a vote for him would be a vote for change.
You can hear the entire candidates forum on line at WJBDradio.com or on the WJBDradio.com Facebook page.
