South Central Reporter

City of Salem Tourism Board met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The Salem Tourism Board met Monday, January 13, 2025 at Salem City Hall.

Chairman Jacob Hockett called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.  Present were board members Janelle Smith, Brooke Frederick, Dana Hampton, Leon Chapman, Kelley Predium, Sherry Morton, Chairman Jacob Hockett and Recording Secretary Suetta Oulrey.

Election of Chairman / Vice-Chairman

Leon Chapman made a motion for Jacob Hockett to remain Chairman and Janelle Smith for Vice-Chairman. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

AYES: Brooke Frederick, Dana Hampton, Leon Chapman, Kelley Predium, Sherry Morton.

NAYS: None. Motion carried.

Minutes

The minutes from November 13, 2024 were tabled until the next meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

The November and December Treasurer’s Reports were presented for action.

Janelle Smith made a motion to approve both Treasurer’s Reports. Sherry Morton seconded the motion.

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

Presentation of Petitions/Public Comments

73rd edition of the Salem Invitational Tournament. This event is put on by the Salem High School Athletic Department in conjunction with the Salem High School District 600 Administration and School Board. We provide the following for all participants, coaches, administrators of competing schools and media attending our event:

Unlimited visits to our Hospitality Room; Tournament T-shirts purchased / printed through Minor League; Tournament Hoodies to Coaches and tournament workers purchased / printed through Minor League.

All Tournament T-shirts will have advertisements on the back from local businesses who have supported the tournament this year.

Grant money will be used to help defray the overall costs of the tournament. Examples would be, but are not limited to: Helping teams pay for hotel rooms; Providing meals for teams traveling far distances; Tournament gear (clothing) to promote our tournament; Programs with advertising from many Salem Businesses; Use of multiple restaurants to provide meals for those teams.

Brooke Frederick made a motion to approve the $2,000.00. Leon Chapman seconded the motion.

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

Flagpole at corner of Hwy. 50 and I-57

Present were Eddie Mulvaney, Main Street Flag Foundation and Mike Hooe, Salem Elks President.

Mulvaney has been maintaining the flag for a while. He said that the flag (15 x 25 feet long) lasts around three months. It is normally bought in bulk (3) for around $750.00. Then the flag is taken to Americana for a coating to keep the ropes on the flag from fraying. There has not been any electric for the flag for four or five months. The new owners of the property while demolishing a building had pulled the electric completely out. Not realizing electric for the flag pole was attached to the building. Mulvaney stated that the cost for new electric would be roughly $5,000.00 - $7,000.00 to put back in. The new owners do not feel it is their responsibility to do this.

It is not feasible to move the flag pole. It has been there for 40+ years has had a lot of wear and tear on it. Hooe explained that this pole has an internal halyard and the decoration on top of the pole is called a truck. The truck was hit by lightning and knocked off the top of the pole some time ago.

Leon Chapman would like to see the new flag pole centered behind the City of Salem Welcome sign.

Dana Hampton asked if this must be IDOT approved.

Annette Sola said it does have to be IDOT approved but that will not be a problem.

Hampton what about existing pole? Would it just be left standing or taken down.

Hooe – Could cut it off at the ground and maybe get a little money for the scrap.

Mulvaney, Hooe and Annette Sola have discussed putting a new flag pole up on the South side of Route 50 behind the City of Salem Welcome sign. There is already electric there. Mulvaney would still maintain the flag and lights.

Hampton suggested maybe a rendering of what 60 feet tall and 80 feet tall flag and flag pole would look like standing behind the City of Salem Welcome sign.

Hooe stated that the base is set in a huge block of concrete, the pole is 80 feet tall starting prices around $18,000.00 to $20,000.00 (T-Ham out of Effingham) plus installation. Hooe stated that the cost might be a little cheaper if a 60 feet pole was put up. Main Street Flag Foundation, Salem Elks do not have that kind of money to be able to purchase a new flag pole. Hooe stated that Tourism has been very, very generous with $2,000.00 a year to help maintain the flag, etc. Hooe stated that every Elks member when they renew their membership. In their membership fees part of the fees goes to the flag foundation ($1,500 to $2,000).

Tourism would like Mike Hooe to get a couple of other bids and bring back to the board.

Jim Koehler and Myron Lloyd were present at the meeting.

Jim Koehler just wanted to give a huge thank you for the Christmas decorations. They were wonderful! The lights uptown have helped also and look nice.

A lady from the Smithsonian came for a tour of the Bryan home. She was very impressed with our town.

Koehler is working on the festival for Monkey Trial 100-year celebration. There will be activities in the park. There are people who have no idea who William Jennings Bryan is.

Koehler also stated that the high school is planning on bringing all Seniors to tour the home before graduation.

Myron Lloyd – Curator William Jennings Bryan home has the largest collection of memorabilia

Koehler said that the tours are at no charge (donations)

Koehler and Lloyd trying to promote people taking pictures at the home (free) – Will open the home for the pictures.

Grant Reports

Little Egypt Festival (see attachment)

Board Members Report

Leon Chapman – Reviews about the lighting has been very positive

Adding to it next year; maybe some kind of theme; mention of a nativity scene

Chapman asked Hampton to try contacting the person from Carlyle that builds the Christmas displays.

We need to get started on prices to be able to add more this year.

Dana Hampton – Huge Santa was outstanding

Kelley Predium would like to see the Downtown on Broadway and the Lighting on Main come together and have the events on the same weekend instead of splitting them up.

Chapman stated that Tourism won’t change their dates for the lighting.

Adjournment

Chairman Jacob Hockett as there was no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Janelle Smith made a motion to adjourn. Leon Chapman seconded the motion.

The next regular Tourism meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2025

https://www.salemil.us/tourism-board/minutes/tourism-board-minutes-36