By Edmee CR Hasler
At the Kiwanis Candidate Forum, four individuals running for a school council got a chance to answer questions and speak to the audience. “I’m John Saunders. I’m running for Salem City Council again,” he began. It had been a humbling experience serving from 2018 to 2022, pushing through the personal property tax relief and listening to the voices of the community. “I’m a listener,” he emphasized, nodding to the stories he had heard from his neighbors and friends.
Renee Turk, meanwhile, reflecting on her time as mayor, her commitment to teamwork, and the joy she had found in Salem. “It takes a group,” she smiled. “I wasn’t born in Salem, but I’m proud to call it home.”
Then came Ann Marie Green, a candidate brimming with experience from her years in local government. “I’ve been involved since 1989,” she said, her voice steady. With her knowledge of projects like the transformation of the old Salem Bank building, she knew she could help shape the future of the city.
Jim Wallace, a familiar face on the council, gave his report card. Economic development, education, and transparency had been his focus since his election. “We’ve made great strides, but there’s more to do,” he admitted, as he outlined his new plan to improve the city’s appearance.
One by one, these candidates expressed their dedication to Salem, to its people, and to the future they all envisioned. Each had their own path, but they shared a common goal: to make Salem thrive.
Mayor Renee Turk and the other candidates discussed on the future of remote work for city employees and potential real estate tax reductions.
The conversation began with the question about the ongoing practices of remote work in the post-pandemic landscape. Turk expressed a preference for city directors to work from the office, stating, “I’ve seen people being effective at home and at work. But my thought is I prefer seeing people in the building.” She emphasized that while she believes in the effectiveness of in-person collaboration, the ultimate decision rests with the city manager, who is responsible for implementing council policies.
Ann Marie Green echoed Turk’s sentiments, noting that many city employees, particularly those in public safety and service roles, cannot work from home. She advocated for most employees to be in the office to ensure effective service to the community. “They need to be there to deal with the public,” she stated, reinforcing the importance of accountability for public-funded positions.
Jim Wallace joined the conversation, citing examples from the corporate world, such as Amazon’s announcement to return all employees to the office by 2025. He argued that collaboration and efficiency suffer when employees are remote, suggesting that the city should adopt a similar approach to enhance teamwork and productivity.
John Saunders added to the discussion by emphasizing the city’s customer service orientation. “I do not believe in working at home… I want employees in City Hall showing the citizens and helping the citizens do what they need to do,” he asserted.
The dialogue then shifted to the topic of real estate taxes, with candidates discussing the need for potential reductions. Green noted that Salem has the second-highest tax rate in the Roanoke Valley and highlighted the city’s aging infrastructure as a significant concern. “I think it probably does need to be reduced… there are ways that we could do some cost-saving and that that rate could be reduced,” she said.
Turk agreed, stating that the new city manager would be tasked with examining the budget for potential savings and revenue streams. “If we have other revenue streams, then that is something that possibly could be done,” she noted, emphasizing the need for meaningful reductions rather than minimal adjustments.
Saunders expressed confidence in the city’s financial health, citing an increase in reserves from less than a month in 2018 to seven months by 2022. “Bottom line is we have plenty of money… it doesn’t make sense not to give you the money back,” he concluded.
As the candidates continue to navigate these topics, the community remains attentive to how these decisions will shape the future of Salem’s governance and services.
