Salem residents call for city councilors resignation amid scandal

SALEM - Residents of Salem are calling for the resignation of city council member Chuck Kramer after he alleged that Salem Fire & Rescue was misallocating funds and made a racial slur.

During a public hearing and budget meeting for the Salem City Council on Tuesday, March 12, city council member Chuck Kramer accused Salem Fire & Rescue chief Steve Nichting of misallocating funds and made a racial slur.

'When you can go out and spend $40,000 on a truck and not even tell us you've got that money and not even telling us you're buying the God (explitive) truck, there's a (explitive) in the woodpile somewhere folks,” Kramer said during the meeting.

The truck Kramer is talking about was purchased by The Fire Association, a 501(c)3 that is not affiliated with the City of Salem.

Nichting said that the accusations made against him by Kramer are affecting his ability to do business as an independent contractor.

'The first question when I went to look for a job on Saturday was ‘are you in the middle of that scandal?'” Nichting said. 'I had to spend 15 minutes explaining this scandal. I shouldn't have to do that.”

Nichting said if he has to travel for jobs, it affects Salem and his ability to volunteer as chief of the fire department.

Nichting said last year, he donated almost 500 hours of his time to Salem Fire & Rescue, $1,600 and put 920 miles on his vehicles.

Kevin Nichting, volunteer firefighter, said it affects donations given to The Fire Association as well.

Jeannine Eltrich, of Salem, said it was 'intolerable” for a city leader to use a racial slur.

'I respectfully request you resign your position,” Eltrich said, addressing Kramer during a time for public comment at the beginning of the meeting. 'We cannot have a leader who would speak in such a manner. The city has a rich history of being fair to all people, no matter their color.”

During time for public comments at the end of the meeting, Eltrich again asked for Kramer's resignation.

'You're a disgrace to the city,” Eltrich said.

Turning to Salem Fire & Rescue chief Steve Nichting, Eltrich said, 'Thank you very much for all you give, for all you tolerate. I know we have a councilman here who does not honor you. We respect you and thank you.”

Salem residents applauded Nichting and Eltrich's words.

John Wagner, Salem resident, said Kramer's actions affect everyone in town.

'You individuals are elected to this town to represent us,” Wagner said. 'Anything you do or say, you are the face of this community ... I'm not Steve Nichting. I never will be. That man does more for this town than any other person in this town. I'm a little appalled by this. Keep that in mind that these are the things we're judged by.”

Kramer said he clarified himself in an article The News published on Friday, March 29, when he said that the explicit phrase he used is an expression, and he did not intend it as a racist statement.

'It's like saying there's something sneaky going on. It wasn't a racist statement. It wasn't a statement directed to a person,” Kramer told The News.

'It's over. Impeach me if you'd like. I apologized once. I'm not apologizing again,” Kramer said Tuesday night.

Pat Brau, city attorney, said the recording from the March 12 meeting can be made available to the public.

Mary Hoyer, city council member, left the meeting before it was adjourned.

In other news, city council member Chris Feehan said she would like the council to pass a resolution mandating training for any new council people.

'It should be a requirement to be come a city council person or mayor that you're trained in (Robert's Rules of Order),” Feehan said. 'I would also like to see something based on the behavior of Chuck (Kramer) at last weeks' meeting put in about acceptable behavior for the council.”

Hoyer said she would look into other cities who have similar resolutions about mandatory training for new council members, so the city can adopt one of their own.

Feehan also introduced a pamphlet of 'guidelines for city council meetings” that she would like to see placed on the tables for the public at each city council meeting.

The pamphlet welcomes citizens and encourages them to participate in city council meetings. It explains when the public is welcome to speak and when they are not. It has meeting dates and times, seating arrangements, meeting proceedings and how to have an item placed on the agenda.