Seeking the office of West Ward Alderman in the April 2 Municipal Election are candidates Philip Giacomelli and Tod Kinerk.
Philip Giacomelli
I live in the City of Salem with my wife, Kristy K (Wilson) Giacomelli and son Wilson Philip Giacomelli. I have a Bachelor Degree in Music Education, Missouri Baptist University, Master of Science in Education: Instructional Technology Leadership, Southwest Baptist University Marketing Coordinator, Southwest Baptist University Salem Campus, Adjunct Instructor, Southwest Baptist University, Director of Music, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Private Voice and Piano Instructor, Licensed Missouri Funeral Director, Past-President, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, President, Senate Bill-40 Board of Directors for Dent County, served as Dent County Deputy Coroner, emcee for Salem’s Relay for Life Event, emcee for Riverway’s Pregnancy Resource Center Event, Dent County City Boards as Alderman: Budget and Finance Committee, Parks and Recreation, Capital Improvements, and the Community Service Committee, Guest Speaker, DARE Graduation 2013, Salem Upper-Elementary.
Why should you be elected?
As a citizen of the City of Salem, I have had the opportunity and honor to serve the community in numerous capacities. As an alderman, I have responded quickly to complaints as well as communicate issues to the corresponding city department to expedite a resolution. I am thankful for the opportunity and wish to continue to serve as West Ward Alderman. I along with my family have an extremely vested interest in the community as well as its functions. With an extensive background in leadership, I intend to continue to serve my constituents with loving kindness, commitment, honesty, integrity, and dedication. Our future is dependent upon vision, and my vision is to continue to see the City of Salem grow and prosper.
What should be done to attract new businesses and expand existing business in Dent County and Salem, creating more and better jobs?
As many of you are aware, despite the fact that jobs are scarce and small businesses are struggling throughout much of Missouri and the rest of the nation, Salem’s local economy was healthier than most others of similar size in 2012 as reported by the Salem News on January 29, 2013. I plan to continue that trend by working closely with the City of Salem Administration in encouraging new businesses to invest in the Salem community as well as retaining those businesses that currently operate. The recent decision of the Mayor and Board of Alderman to hire Ray Walden, Economic Development Director, has proved to be a key component of success in promoting business and commerce and growing existing business. Specifically, Walden is currently assisting a local business with negotiating the terms of sale and providing them with additional options to expand their business right here in Salem. Through effective communication and established incentives to operate, new business and the growth of existing business within our community can and will be a reality. This will continue to stimulate our local economy benefitting all Salem residents.
The Salem Middle School continues to be an eyesore. What should be done about it?
It is no secret, the past two years have been challenging regarding this topic. Though the need for the property to either be renovated or demolished continues to grow, the City of Salem leaders have encountered, heard, and extrapolated a growing number of opportunities and possible rectifications of the property, including selling the property, developing a city park, and/or constructing a new water tower. We are currently in the process of determining if the city qualifies for a grant from the Brownfield’s Voluntary Cleanup Program. Qualifications depend on the amount of asbestos contained within the structure. The program is designed to assist communities with demolition of such properties as well as reinvigorate and protect the environment.
The need for condemnation and clean-up of property within the city is a constant complaint received by city leaders, and the problem has persisted for years. What needs to be done?
Over the past two years cleaning up our community through strategically planned efforts has been one of the top priorities of the Board of Alderman. In that time the city has developed a successful track record of cleaning up several dilapidated properties within our community. After our building inspector retired this past year and at the direction of the Board of Alderman, the city is in the process of licensing two current employees as building inspectors to continue our efforts in cleaning up Salem. The duties include one inspector for dilapidated properties and one for new construction projects. We anticipate the certification of such individuals to be completed within the next month. As the city continues to face condemnation and cleanup of property, we will take these issues seriously and in doing so have budgeted this past fiscal year for the process.
The city owns property on the south side that was to be dedicated for soccer fields. What needs to be done to advance the project, or should it be put up for sale?
While I was not an Alderman when the property was purchased, we have expanded the Al Brown fields at a minimal cost to accommodate our current soccer needs. In addition, we have expanded our sports program to include flag football, which the Al Brown fields are also able to accommodate due to the recent expansion. Therefore, we are seeking potential opportunities and uses for public benefit of the said property. Currently, the city has been able to profit from the selling of hay off of the property each year, as well as utilize the property for top soil without purchasing it as we have in the past. As a result, the property has been repurposed for this use which conservatively saves thousands of dollars in material, labor, and transportation costs. Several departments have and continue to benefit from having top soil readily available.
