The Salem City Council reorganized Monday night, with two new councilmen sworn in for four-year terms and a current councilman to full fill a two-year unexpired term.
The new councilmen are Frank Addison and Gerald Molenhour who were elected in April to four-year terms. Royce Bringwald who finished third in the election, was appointed to fill the remaining two years of the term of Tracy Crouch who earlier resigned.
Gerald Molenhour is sworn in as a new Salem City Councilman. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Councilman Jim Koehler did not seek re-election and was honored at Monday night’s meeting by Mayor Nic Farley.
“I appreciate your steadfast service to the city of Salem,” Farley said. “You’ve been a public servant both in your teaching career and as a council member. I’ve learned from you not only in your class as a student, but from serving beside you as a colleague. Citizens of Salem have done well by electing you and having you as their public servant. On behalf of the city of Salem, we want to say thank you, and we have a plaque to present to you.”
Koehler then summarized his ten years on the city council.
“It’s been a pleasure to represent the citizens of Salem. I always tried to be fair with everybody. It’s a tough job, because you’re going to make people mad, but I was a coach and I was a referee, so I don’t have any problem with people yelling at me,” Koehler said. “I’ve enjoyed being on the council, I found out a wealth of information about how the system works, and it is slow. You think you can get things done fast, but that’s difficult to do.”
Koehler has been appointed to the Historical Commission where he will help continue to improve the Bryan Birthplace Museum and assist with the 100th Anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial.
After his first meeting, Addison said it was too soon to set priorities.
“I’m happy with the team that I’m working with and looking forward to making choices and decisions that keep Salem a great place to live,” Addison said.”
Molenhour had no comment after his session. Bringwald says he’s happy to serve another two years.
“I’m truly honored to finish this term out,” Bringwald said. “All of the support of the people and everyone I’ve gotten to meet and work with over the last eight years. With the city of Salem, I’m amazed. It’s a top-notch operation.”
Royce Bringwald is sworn in as Salem City Councilman. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Bringwald later in the meeting was elected Mayor Pro-Tem.
