Openess in city government became the center of conversation when Salem Mayor Leonard Ferguson sat down with a half dozen people during an open forum at the Bryan Bennett Library Thursday night.  

Ferguson says he remains unhappy that yearly salary increases for city workers do not come before the council for approval. "The thing that's frightening to me is that they have a range," he says. "As long as someone stays in that range, you don't have to tell the public anything for 2-3 years."

Ferguson says the city manager does now notify the council of any pay raises, but it is not released publically. He critized the media for not requesting and publishing the salaries of city employees yearly.  Ferguson feels the city council is now in compliance with state law over communication by e-mail. "The council is very careful," he says. "I don't get anything from the council anymore, so they're probably not emailing each other."

Ferguson says he still sends e-mails to all councilmen, but e-mail communication is now limited to just two councilmen.  Ferguson says he would have no problem with his e-mails becoming public.  He was questioned if the e-mails were limiting discussion that should be done publically at city council meetings.  Ferguson didn't think that was the case.  The Mayor said he was optimistic about the city's future, with several building projects underway and the opportunity for additional development when the Mitchell Street extension on the southeast side of the Interstate interchange is completed. 

He notes in the current economic climate and lack of activity in the manufacturing area, the city is now concentrating on attracting new retail businesses.