Dr. Joseph Foley was appointed to the Salem City Council on Sept. 21, filling the vacancy created by the death of Councilman John Saunders.
The council considered 13 applicants during a special meeting before unanimously selecting Foley during the meeting’s closed session. Foley will serve until a special election in November 2027, when voters will choose someone to serve the remainder of Saunders’ term, which expires Dec. 31, 2028.
Foley is a Salem resident and chiropractor who has operated his practice in the city since 1990. He attended East Carolina University and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College. Since 2017, he also has served as Roanoke College’s team chiropractor for athletics.
“I care deeply about Salem,” Foley said. “Giving back and being engaged are very important to me. I am humbled and honored to have been chosen for this position.”
The appointment marks Foley’s first service on an official governing body, although he has held organizational leadership positions for more than 35 years. He also has introduced legislation at the Virginia General Assembly and worked with legislators, lobbyists and political action groups.
“There has not been a single time in the past 30 years that I have not served in a leadership position of some sort, so I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve,” Foley said. “I have tried to be engaged and attend as many council and planning commission meetings as I possibly could, and I think I have a good grasp of the policies and processes.”
Mayor Renée Turk said Foley’s attendance at council meetings gave him familiarity with the city’s governing process.
“Honestly, I am not sure he has missed a single council meeting in the past five years,” Turk said.
Turk also reflected on Saunders’ service to Salem.
“It was an honor to serve with John Saunders, and we all greatly appreciate his service to the city,” Turk said. “We remain saddened that we had to go through this process, but I know John would be as proud as we are that this many citizens were willing to give of their time and talents to serve Salem. All of council is appreciative of those who applied.”
Saunders died Aug. 22 at age 66. He first served on City Council from 2018 through 2022 and began his most recent term Jan. 1, 2025. His term was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2028.
Foley and his wife have two adult children who graduated from Salem High School.
Foley is expected to be sworn in at the council’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 28. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
-The Salem Times-Register
