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SALEM -- Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey provided an overview of her 2023 as part of the annual state of the city address.
The year 2023 proved to be a busy one for the city at all levels, including the mayor's office. Dickey said that the completion of renovations to the Sugar Tree Alley including new brick patterned cement walkways and increased lighting as part of the city's efforts to promote use of its municipal parking was one of her "highlights for 2023." In addition to promoting parking and use of the walkway, Dickey said it tied design elements from several of Salem's landmarks into the downtown area.
"It has transformed a little used walkway in disrepair into a beautiful walkway that pulls the design elements of Sebo Stadium, the library, and McCulloch Park into the downtown. People are using the walkway now and the municipal parking," said Dickey.
The year 2023 also saw the negotiations of new contracts with all four of the unions representing the city's employees, Utilities Workers of America AFL/CIO Local 560 which represents the city's utilities workers, the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council, Salem Firefighters Local 283 of the International Association of Firefighters, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2701, which covers the service department, traffic and safety, some city hall personnel and the parks department. While agreements with the police, fire, and municipal employees unions all came in June, the city's contract with the utilities union was not finalized and approved until November. Dickey previously described the negotiations as having gone "very well, and very smoothly," and said that the new agreements have a three-year term.
Dickey has also been hands on with development throughout the city this year writing letters of support for tax credit and grant requests throughout the year. Dickey also said she had participated in planning and construction meetings for the Sugartree and Burchfield Trace Alley renovation projects and the Lincoln Plaza Project.
The city also began negotiations with Shepherd of the Valley to purchase a property at 1948 N. Ellsworth Ave. for the construction of a new assisted living facility with an anticipated residency of up to 120 residents, and a permanent workforce of 50 to 75 people in addition to local contractors employed in the construction. Dickey said that she "hoped to see that completed in 2025."
The city also directly supported residents and property owners looking to make improvements by offering two grants. The Residential Sidewalk grant provided monetary support for residents to repair sidewalks on their property, while the Downtown Commercial Building Grant supported aesthetic
improvements to the rear of buildings downtown that were visible from the street.
The year 2023 also saw the completion of one business annexation and the initiation of a second.
Dickey said that she conducted 12 weddings at city hall this year, joking that "a scheduled Halloween wedding couple 'ghosted'" her. Dickey also performed the swearing in "of firemen, housing officers and police officers."
Dickey also said that she gave talks about Salem to St. Paul Elementary, Salem Women's Clubs, Salem Eagles, Salem Rotary, Salem Kiwanis, Salem Area Christian Breakfast, and a Warren NAACP event. Dickey also issued official proclamations at the National Day of Prayer, re-dedication of the Howard Tibbs Post Office, Allegheny Wesleyan Bell Tower Dedication, and Burchfield Homestead.
Dickey also represented the city at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service hosted by Fraternal Order of Police Quaker Lodge 88 in May, gave the order to "start your engines," and judged the Show and Shine Car Show at the annual Super Cruise, sponsored a game for Games in the Park in July, sponsored a tent at the Trail of Treats, assisted with the 50/50 drawing at the Salem Country Club on the 4th of July, and judged the Voices of Democracy Contest for Salem AMVETS Post 45.
Dickey concluded her address looking forward to another busy year in Salem in 2024.
"It was a busy year and 2024 seems to be shaping up the same way," said Dickey.