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By: Becky Killian

A majority of city officials have approved the rezoning of land owned by a developer who intends to build a combination of single-family houses and townhomes.

The 3-to-2 vote was made during the Monday, Sept. 9, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

The vote changes the zoning of about 5 and a half acres that will be accessible from an entrance along Old State Road 60 east of Eastview Church of Christ from R-1, which allows single-family homes, to R-3, which allows multiple-family dwellings like townhomes.

The rezoning came to the Common Council after the Salem Plan Commission gave it a favorable recommendation during its Aug. 26 meeting.

The city’s attorney, Alyssa Cochran, explained to Council members that the only decision before them was whether to rezone the land.

Council member Dylan Moore was first to make the motion to approve the rezoning; however, his fellow council member, Danny Libka, suggested that the matter be tabled due to the controversy it had garnered. He noted that one of Cochran’s firm members, Jake Vissing, was most familiar with the rezoning and he wanted to wait until Vissing was present to give his input.

Libka’s suggestion found no footing, so Moore reiterated his motion. The rezoning passed with Libka and Steve Crane opposing it. Moore, Randy Lee Jr., and Roger Pennington voted in favor of the change.

The rezoning isn’t the last hurdle the developer, Anthony Mosby, of Pekin, will have to clear. Before any construction begins, he will need to return to the Plan Commission with development plans that will have to be approved.

Mosby has pursued the rezoning for more than a year. After public resistance to the development made officials balk at approving his request, Mosby changed his plans multiple times only to be confounded by further negative votes.

The most recent draft of the development showed about 10 single family houses and about 30 townhomes.

A controversial entrance from the adjacent Eastview Terrace Subdivision has been eliminated from the plans.

The homes will be sold for around $300,000. Most of the townhomes will be sold and the remaining units will be available for an estimated rent of about $1,100 a month, which Mosby said is comparable to existing rental prices in Salem.

Building Commissioner Ronnie Voyles said the reasoning behind the request for R-3 zoning is that it has less of a setback requirement than R-1. That lesser setback requirement allows for the higher-density development Mosby has proposed.

Mosby has maintained he wants a higher-end development. The quality development – and the prices it commands – will help him to recoup the investment in the property, including the costly infrastructure required like the installation of roads of utility lines.

A 2019 housing study found that Salem has a desperate need for more housing, including luxury housing.

Mosby has told officials if the development comes to fruition and is successful, it will provide an incentive for more developers to take on projects in the city.

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The new SalemLeader.com website Is officially going live this weekend!

There may be some delays, as the new website has to go through procedures to “replicate” itself on the internet.

Anyone who has problems reaching the new website by searching “www.salemleader.com” may find that they will need to reboot their computers or clear their cache to directly connect with the website.

For the past couple of months, many people have been able to access the beta website that was under construction and listed as www.southernindiana.us. As soon as the new website has been fully replicated, the new website will be reached by entering www.salemleader.com.

Advantages of using SalemLeader.com:

FREE NEWS is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
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News and advertising are posted as soon as it is received.

Advanced navigation buttons at the top of the Home Page, the Footer and Search function make locating stories effortless.

Stories and obituaries remain on the site indefinitely, so you will be able to find an article you may have missed.

There are over 40 categories to make finding news easier. We post news constantly as soon as we receive it. Many stories will roll off of the Home Page, but will still be available under category headings.

Please try out the new website! We hope you will be pleased with the new format.

Sincerely,
Nancy Grossman, Publisher
Leader Publishing Company of Salem, Inc.

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At approximately 12:30 p.m. on September 11, a call was issued regarding an overturned grain truck on E. Miller Saw Mill Rd. Driving the tractor and trailer was Kenny Simpson who received head injuries. He was driven to St Vincent’s helipad by Salem Ambulance Service for a helicopter stat flight to UofL Hospital in Louisville.

As the truck went off the road rolling onto the passenger side, the trailer broadcast a large amount of soybean as it turned over in a yard near 1000 block of E. Miller Saw Mill Rd.

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The trailer knocked down a utility pole at ground level. Jackson County Rural Electric was called to detach the electric wires and communication cables from the pole that laid over the truck.

Responding from the Washington Co. Sheriffs Dept. was Sergeant Matt Hein and Officer Mark Blackman. From the Salem Fire Dept. was Capt. Max Gamble, Lt. Travis Branaman and Dylan Williams. On the scene also was John Shawler of the Pierce Polk Fire Dept.

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Historic Beck’s Mill will host its annual Grind XI 5K Run/Walk Anderson-Good Memorial Race on Saturday, Sept. 14. Activities will be centered around the mill, located at 4433 S. Beck's Mill Rd, Salem, IN.

The Grind 5K is the mill's largest annual fundraiser. All proceeds from the event will be used to preserve and maintain the mill.

This is a Mag 7 Race. Race participants will receive five additional points for participating in this "Hidden Gem" race.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and racing starts at 9 a.m.

Early registrations before Sept. 1 are $25 with memorial shirt or $20 without a shirt. Registrations after Sept. 1 will be $25 and will not include a shirt.

Some shirts may be available for purchase on race day.

To register online, please visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Salem/TheGrind5KRunWalkatBecksMill or www.becksmill.org

Race entry includes access to the mill and grounds for participants, including a post-race breakfast provided by Shady Patch Farm of Salem and snacks. Participants will enjoy the quiet countryside, tours of the mill and learning history of the mill. Relaxing post-race comfort can be found at the waterfall (dam) at the old mill. There will be an award ceremony immediately after the race, including many door prizes. Finisher medals will be given to the first 100 participants to cross the finish line. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finalists, as well.

Chicken barbecue meals from the Mt. Carmel/Friends of Beck’s Mill will be available, beginning 11 a.m. in the parking lot. Meals include chicken and two sides for $8. Grilling by Louis Courtney and Jim and Trent Woodward. The barbecue is sponsored by Tyson and Walmart.

In addition, Barry Hattabaugh will be performing live music in the morning, and Willy's Jeep Club and a Mustang club will be in the parking lot at 2 p.m.

The race is in honor of Joyce Anderson, seventh-generation owner of Beck’s Mill who donated the mill to Friends of Beck’s Mill, and past board member and volunteer, Gerry Goode.

The Beck family built their first mill on this historic site in 1808. Their third mill still remains. The mill once ground corn, small grains such as wheat and processed wool; all powered by water!

After setting idle for more than 50 years, the little grist mill south of Salem is now churning out a product that once made it famous.

In 2008 Beck's Mill was returned in restored and operational condition to the directors of the Friends of Beck’s Mill, Inc. Beck’s Mill is operated solely by the efforts of an all-volunteer staff. The leadership of Friends of Beck’s Mill, Inc. continues to enhance the visitor experience to Beck's Mill every year as numerous new events are planned every season.

The mill is open to the public Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under age 16 are admitted free (with paid adult admission.)

Friends of Beck’s Mill is undergoing a restructuring of leadership and encourages everyone to become a member of the group. They recently issued the following statement, “It is vital that we keep the mill and it’s property accessible and safe for all to enjoy its beauty. With this new leadership we are hoping to see new ideas to keep visitors interested in returning each year.”

“Thanks to our dedicated racers and generous sponsors, this race would only be successful because of your kindness and dedication in securing the historic mill’s future.”

Donations to help support the mill may be mailed to:

Friends of Beck’s Mill

P.O. Box 288

Salem, IN 47147

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The 10th annual Historical Walking Tour at Crown Hill Cemetery is this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 & 14. Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. and leave every 10 or 15 minutes. The last tour will leave at 10:30 p.m. Crown Hill Cemetery is located at 207 Shelby St., Salem.

The tour will take you on a stroll through Salem’s rich history. Walkers will be informed the town’s historical background during the tour and will have an opportunity to meet characters playing some of Salem’s most well-known citizens of the past. Knowledgeable tour guides will introduce some of the most interesting, eccentric (and sometimes infamous) characters buried in Salem’s Crown Hill Cemetery.

The walking tour is a fun event for all ages. This tour is NOT haunted. Attendees will simply be meeting characters from the past who are buried in the cemetery. Lanterns will be provided for the trail.

The event is hosted by Washington County Theatre. There is no cost to participate, but donations will be excepted and all proceeds will be used to support the theatre group.