Two judges from Missouri Community Betterment stopped in Salem sept. 10 to view projects the area has focused on in the past year, as well as the progress of ongoing projects that aim at community betterment.
Groups such as the Salem Area Community Betterment Association and Salem Area Arts Council gave presentations and discussed their various contributions to the community over the past year, along with city departments and officials.
Dean Langner, the mayor of northern Missouri city Lathrop, and wife Ava Langner, acted as judges on behalf of MCB. The two evaluated the projects presented by residents of the area, making two more stops that same day in neighboring cities participating in the betterment program.
All communities involved with the project will be recognized at the 55th Annual MCB Conference in Columbia Oct. 14-15, where governor Mike Parsons will present awards to the winning communities in the categories of adult leadership, youth leadership, community awards and community youth group.
“It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you get everyone together to do something and you all have the same goal,” said Dean Langner. “It makes a big difference. I’m really enjoying this (tour), and it’s only day one.”
Beginning the presentations was city administrator Ray Walden, who spoke on various projects and goals that the city has had over the past year and what they have accomplished in that time. Of the items discussed was the Visioning 2040 meeting held with Drury University students in the spring of this year, a project that brought in students to evaluate the community and recommend improvement projects throughout Salem. Following multiple meetings, the students compiled a book, or toolkit, of their findings and suggestions, one of which was presented to the judges as a project that aimed toward the betterment of Salem.
“They brought in some new approaches and facilitated discussions on things that (we) had not really seen before,” Walden said. “It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of the discussions, and through their techniques they were able to capture (a vision) over time.”
Walden explained that the toolkit itself is not a finished project, but acts as guide for what the city and its residents and organizations can do to make an impact.
“(The students) presented a variety of concepts in their work, and they would be the first to tell you that not all of their ideas are going to be feasible here for different reasons,” Walden stated. “Part of the intent was to stretch us for different reasons. They provided this framework based on our communities’ objectives and gave us a resource we can look at for approaches that can help us get there.”
Also discussed in Walden’s presentation was the various options the city is looking at regarding the old middle school property and how it has deteriorated over time, as well as funding, grants and USDA rural development funds that help with the project the city has in mind. Walden also stressed that involvement with the community is key in future works.
“We are looking at ways that we can provide meaningful opportunities for the public to continue in engaging (with us),” he said.
Representing the Salem Area Arts Council, Danielle Norris gave a presentation on its progress over the past year, speaking on what started as a dream project now becoming a permanent place in the community heritage. Discussing their history, Norris spoke to the judges about SAAC’s journey of using the vacant Teacher’s Closet building behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for activities and exercises, which is now its permanent home. They also recently celebrated their one-year anniversary with a birthday bash at the facility.
Norris reported that for the year, they have so far held 12 acoustic game sessions with up to 35 people at once playing with 50 audience members. Also held were nine stained glass workshops, oil pastel and water color workshops, knot-tying workshops and figure drawing classes. Ten art parties were also conducted, one of which was focused for kids, one for those with disabilities, one for public school teachers and one as a team-building exercise for a local business.
For their first fiscal year, the SAAC came out $47 ahead after the costs of all needed supplies and utilities, something that was celebrated by the council.
Reporting on the Salem 5k run/walk was Shawn Bolerjack, who discussed the benefits that movement had on the body and the social improvements between families that participated. The activity, held the second Saturday of each month, is free to participants and will continue throughout the year subject to cancelations from inclement weather.
Parks director Tye Lydon spoke to the judges regarding facilities upgrades at the city park, as well as other completed projects and connections that were made between the parks department and other area volunteer groups and organizations such as Healthy Dent County, Salem Memorial District Hospital, SACBA and the American Volunteers. Lydon stated that the 3/8 cent parks and rec tax passed in 2016 had allowed for updating of parks equipment, making an ADA accessible playground and splash pad, pool and pool house.
Following Lydon’s presentation, members of the audience and the judges took a bus tour of the city park where the new developments and additions of the most recent years were showcased and discussed.
“It’s very impressive to have you all come out to support your community, it speaks a lot to what you all have done,” said Dean Langner following the presentations. “That’s what this is all about, getting the community together to do these projects and make it better. You all have lots to be proud of. Good job.”
For more information on Missouri Community Betterment, visit www.MOCommunityBetterment.com.
