Photos courtesy City of Salem
By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Salem City Council at the Aug. 12 meeting honored Salem High School athletes and scholars for winning state championships.
Individual Wrestling Team Member Derek Bush was recognized for his state championship with a 37-2 record, including 21 pins. According to Coach Lawrence Van Liew, it was only the second wrestling state championship since Salem High School opened. Council awarded Bush and his coach each a championship ring and copy of the resolution passed by council. The resolution noted Bush has a 3.9 grade point average out of a possible 4.0.
Debate Team members and Coach Mark Ingerson were honored for the 2024 state championship and individual categories. Nine of the team members were present to get their rings and copies of the resolution.
Council recognized sophomore Drew Perez for winning the Class IV Boys Tennis Singles State Championship. Perez’s mother, Jill Perez, stood with her son. Coach Steve Willingher and Perez also received a ring and copy of the Council resolution.
“We’re so proud of all your accomplishments,” Mayor Renee Turk told the students and coaches. Councilmembers and audience members gave the students standing ovations.
In other matters at Monday night’s meeting, Council approved:
- A special exception for Sherwood Memorial Park to allow expansion of the cemetery into adjacent property at 1221 Lynchburg Turnpike. Community Development Director Chuck Van Allman, there would be only internal access and no access from Lynchburg Turnpike. Councilman Randy Foley abstained from the vote because he is on the memorial park’s board, he said;
- Rezoning the Bojangles’ property at 1590 W. Main St. from Light Manufacturing to Highway Business District. Van Allman said the change allows a second lane for the restaurant;
- A $200,000 grant to purchase the Tuttle house next to the Salem Post Office, for a city pocket park on the green space. No decision has been made whether the house will be demolished, but City Manager Chris Dorsey noted nothing can be built back because the area is in the flood plain.
Council also appropriated:
- A $20,000 Virginia Tourism Grant to be used for various tourism events in the city;
- And $10,000 tourism grant to increase overnight visits and life on the Virginia frontier.
The regular portion of the meeting ended at 7:22 when Council went into a closed session to discuss a prospective business or industry or expansion of one. Councilmembers said no action was expected.
