South Central Reporter

City of Salem Tourism Board met June 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Salem Tourism Board met Monday June 10, 2024 at Salem City Hall.

Chairman Jacob Hockett called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm. Present were board members Sherry Morton, Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, Leon Chapman, Dana Hampton, Chairman Jacob Hockett and Recording Secretary Suetta Oulrey.

Minutes

The minutes of the May 13, 2024 meeting were presented for action.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve the minutes. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

AYES: Janelle Smith, Dana Hampton, Brooke Frederick, Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton and Chairman Jacob Hockett.

NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

The May Treasurer’s Reports were presented for action.

Janelle Smith made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Reports. Brooke Frederick seconded the motion.

AYES: Dana Hampton, Leon Chapman, Sherry Morton, Brooke Frederick, Janelle Smith and Chairman Jacob Hockett.

NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

Little Egypt Festival Jay Henke is requesting $3,000.00 to help with the cost of liability insurance, advertising, porta potties and trophies. Also, this year we will be paying for transport for our Grand Marshal to include local motel rooms.

Leon Chapman was not in favor of the $3,000.00. Leon Chapman wanted $1,000.00 at the most. Janelle Smith and Sherry Morton were in favor of giving LEF the $2,000.00 that we normally do.

Leon Chapman made a motion to approve $1,000.00. Dana Hampton seconded the motion.

AYES: Brooke Frederick, Dana Hampton, Leon Chapman and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: Janelle Smith and Sherry Morton. Majority Ayes. Motion carried.

Salem Super Cruise / LEF Car Show – Kenneth Carpenter is requesting $1700.00 to help purchase trophies, bouncy house and DJ for both events. The monies are then split in half for the events ($850.00 apiece). Salem Super Cruise is on September 7, 2024. Little Egypt Car Show is on October 5, 2024.

Dana Hampton made a motion to approve the $1700.00. Leon Chapman seconded the motion.

AYES: Janelle Smith, Sherry Morton, Brooke Frederick, Leon Chapman, Dana Hampton and Chairman Jacob Hockett. NAYS: none. Motion carried.

Grant Reports

Library Director Kim Keller was present at the meeting. Kim Keller said that the Library has had over 1300+ people to see the planetarium. The eclipse showing was great. The Library has placed flyers at hotels in the area, advertised on WJBD. Sherry Morton and her husband had gone to one of the showings and was very impressed. Jacob Hockett said that one of his sons had gone with the school. He came home talking about it. Kim Keller had brought in a report. (See Attachment)

Board Members Report

Leon Chapman had talked with Dave and Mary Dial on the changes with the PKC hunts. They assured him with the changes. It would get back to more what it was in the beginning when PKC came to Salem.

Leon Chapman also said that the lights have been ordered. The lights will be turned on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Tourism Board needs to determine a time to turn on the lights (maybe around 6). Leon Chapman wants to send out invites for this lighting to hotel owners, county, police, chamber director, downtown merchants. Thought maybe some of the downtown merchants might stay open. Janelle Smith is to let the chamber director know about the event. Janelle Smith asked if we were going to do a trial run the night before the event.

Adjournment

Chairman Jacob Hockett as there was no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Sherry Morton made a motion to adjourn. Janelle Smith seconded the motion.

AYES: Brooke Frederick, Dana Hampton, Sherry Morton, Janelle Smith, Leon Chapman and Chairman Jacob Hockett.

NAYS: None. Motion carried.

The next regular Tourism meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2024.

 https://www.salemil.us/node/795/minutes/2024