Meg Hibbert, Contributing writer
Winning state Speech Team members and an outstanding wrestler were applauded by Salem City Councilmembers at the May 11 meeting.
The Salem High School Speech Team and coaches were congratulated for the team’s unprecedented 20 straight years as state champions.
Mayor Renee Turk noted 12 of the students placed in the top three. Each team member was presented with a pin and copies of Council’s proclamation.
Coach Mark Ingerson, who was recently named to the Virginia High School Hall of Fame, received a copy, along with assistant coaches Elliott Petrie and Rachel Worston.
Earlier Ingerson announced his retirement.
Individual team members and their accomplishments were Senior Captain Bella Poarch who won third individual state; her partner Tara Farrokhpoor who won her second state title; Senior Captain Parneet Bill who won her first state title in Original Oratory and was a runner-up in Dramatic.
Also, Senior Luke Stovall for third place in Extemporaneous Speaking; Senior Captain Lacey Stratton and Sophomore Zippy Elliott for third in Humorous Duo; Senior Quinn Roudebush for third in Poetry; Sophomore Rosalie Botos for third in Prose; and Onyx Silver, Aly Ory, Ava Milton, Kimble Reynolds and Charlotte Bain who also supported the team in the state tournament.
Council also recognized Virginia State Wrestling Champion Jake James and his coach, Lawrence Van Liew. James, who is a sophomore, won in Class 4, 285 pounds, and pinned three out of four of his opponents early, the mayor said, and already holds 33 records.
James has a 65-7 win record. He is only the third Virginia High School League Wrestling Champion since Salem High School opened, the mayor noted.
In other actions, Council:
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Accepted the latest financial report;
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Unanimously passed a five-year-lease for new owners of Mac and Bob’s Restaurant for parking spaces on city property off Thompson Memorial Drive and Calhoun Street. The city will receive $14,500 annually for leasing the spaces;
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Unanimously passed after a public hearing at which no one spoke, tax rates for 2027 that are $1.16 per $100 value of real estate, down 2 cents for the second year; existing tax rates for personal property and machine and tools;
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Unanimously passed on first reading after a pubic hearing with no speakers the school budget and city budget;
The Council meeting adjourned at 7:17. Four Council members were present: Turk, Vice Mayor AnneMarie Green, Randy Foley and Hunter Holliday. Councilmember John Saunders was absent due to illness, for the second meeting.
