FYI Salem

On the latest FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll dives into a conversation with Park & Recreation Director Patricia O'Brien about the new Forest River Park pools. The new Outdoor Recreation & Nature Center at Forest River is one of the City's signature parks projects and includes two pools, a splash pad, community room, locker rooms and bathhouse, concession stand, and nature trails. The Center opens to the public June 18th. Forest River Park pool details: www.salemma.gov/recreation/pages/forest-river-pool About the Forest River project: www.salemma.gov/forestriver Signature Parks: www.salemma.gov/signatureparks Getaround Salem: www.salemma.gov/getaround Salem 311: www.salemma.gov/home/news/city-salem-launches-%E2%80%9Csalem-311%E2%80%9D-service

On each episode of FYI Salem, Mayor Kim Driscoll interviews city officials, community leaders, notable residents, and others, and provides a brief update on the latest news and information from the City of Salem, from inside City Hall and across the community. On the latest episode, Mayor Driscoll talks with City Finance Director Anna Freedman about the proposed FY2023 City budget, what goes into creating the annual City budget, and some of the highlights of the spending plan for the coming fiscal year. FY23 Salem City budget: www.salemma.gov/fy23

On FYI Salem, Mayor Kim Driscoll interviews city officials, community leaders, notable residents, and others, and provides a brief update on the latest news and information from the City of Salem, from inside City Hall and across the community. On the latest episode, Mayor Driscoll sits down with Regina Zaragoza Frey, the City's first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). They talk about Regina's background, what DEI means, and the kinds of work that she and the City's new Race Equity Commission will be engaging in to help Salem become a more equitable and welcoming community for everyone. Salem Race Equity Task Force: https://raceequitysalem.org/ Meet Regina Zaragoza Frey: https://www.salemma.gov/mayors-office/news/salem-announces-new-director-diversity-equity-and-inclusion How to apply for the Race Equity Commission: https://www.salemma.gov/home/news/race-equity-commission-application-deadline-may-31 Free Trolley rides for Salem residents: https://www.salemma.gov/home/news/salem-mayor-kim-driscoll-announces-return-free-trolley-program-residents-1 Getaround Salem community car share: www.salemma.gov/getaround Salem's Memorial Day ceremony: https://www.salemma.gov/home/news/memorial-day-salem Salem Pride Flag raising event: https://www.salemma.gov/home/news/city-salem-2022-pride-flag-raising-0 Salem COVID information: www.salemma.gov/covid COVID testing in Salem: www.salemma.gov/testing COVID vaccinations in Salem: www.salemma.gov/vaccine

On April 28, 2022, Mayor Kim Driscoll delivered the 2022 State of the City address, ​​​​​​providing an update that highlighted the City’s success responding and recovering from pandemic, rebuilding City finances, and creating a more welcoming and thriving community. Listen to the address on the latest episode of the FYI Salem podcast and find the remarks online at www.salemma.gov/mayors-office/files/2022-state-city.

On February 23, 2022, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll delivered her annual update to the Explorers Lifelong Learners Institute in Salem. In this year's remarks she touched on the City's response to COVID, housing initiatives, leveraging federal recovery funds, preparing for offshore wind, and planning for Salem's 400th anniversary in 2026. Find out more about Explorers at http://explorerslli.org.

Mayor Driscoll is joined by Dr. David Roberts (President of Salem Hospital), Dr. Jeremy Schiller (Salem Board of Health chair), David Greenbaum (Salem Health Agent), Kate Fox (Destination Salem executive director), and Vickie Caldwell (Assistant City Attorney) to discuss and answer questions about the Salem Board of Health's new requirements for proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter certain business establishments. Read more about the new requirements at www.salem.com/safesalem

Celebrating Salem’s success as a “beacon for our Commonwealth” and echoing Mayor Sam Zoll’s call for a new “devotion to progress,” Mayor Kim Driscoll offers an inaugural address that highlights the City’s accomplishments and perseverance in the face of adversity and challenge.

On the final FYI Salem podcast of 2021, Mayor Kim Driscoll talks with outgoing Ward 2 City Councillor, and City Council President, Christine Madore. They reflect on the year past and look forward to what lies ahead for Salem in the year to come.

Mayor Kim Driscoll sat down with Salem's Harbor Planner, Seth Lattrell, to talk about the potential use of the vacant land on Salem Harbor by Crowley Marine and Vineyard Wind as a marshalling and construction site for offshore wind turbines to be sited in the Atlantic Ocean. They discuss some commonly asked questions - and misperceptions - about what is proposed for the property and how the project concept came about. Vineyard Wind Proposal for Salem: www.salem.com/home/news/vineyard-wind-partnership-salem-harbor-port COVID-19 Vaccinations in Salem: www.salem.com/vaccine Haunted Happenings: www.hauntedhappenings.org Free October Shuttle: www.salem.com/OctoberShuttle MBTA in October: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/route_pdfs/2021-fall/10-2021-salem-haunted-happenings-cr-newburyport-rockport-line-schedule.pdf Voting in Salem: https://www.salem.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif3756/f/uploads/faqs_-_city_biennial_election_-_november_2_2021.pdf

At their most recent meeting, the Salem City Council received a briefing from Mayor Kim Driscoll and Police Chief Lucas Miller about the planning and public safety measures put into place for this year's Haunted Happenings festival. Dozens of agencies and departments from multiple jurisdictions work together throughout the year to prepare for a safe, orderly, and enjoyable October season for visitors and residents alike. Find out more about Haunted Happenings at www.hauntedhappenings.org.

Earlier this month Mayor Kim Driscoll was invited to speak to the Salem Alliance for the Environment about offshore wind and the potential it represents for the future of the land surrounding the Footprint power plant on Salem Harbor. Salem Alliance for the Environment: https://salemsafe.org/ Salem Harbor Port Authority: https://www.salem.com/salem-harbor-port-authority Salem Harbor Plan Committee: https://www.salem.com/harbor-plan-committee Offshore Wind in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/offshore-wind

On the latest episode of FYI Salem, Mayor Kim Driscoll sits down with Kate Fox, director of Destination Salem. They discuss the organization, the role of travel and tourism in Salem's economy, and - of course - October and Haunted Happenings! Destination Salem: www.salem.org Haunted Happenings: www.hauntedhappenings.org Salem for All Ages: www.salemforallages.org Bike-Friendly Salem survey: tinyurl.com/salembike Forest River Park signature park project: www.salem.com/forestriverpark

The latest FYI Salem podcast features a brief presentation that Mayor Driscoll gave recently to the Mayors Innovation Project about the Mack Park Food Farm. The Mayors Innovation Project is a nationwide forum for mayors to share ideas and success stories with colleagues. Mack Park Food Farm: www.salem.com/mackparkfoodfarm Mayors Innovation Project: https://mayorsinnovation.org/

Mayor Kim Driscoll moderates a virtual meeting for Salem businesses focused on current local COVID-19 trends, preparing for a safe October, and business’ rights and responsibilities when it comes to COVID safety and best practices. Speakers include Dr. David Roberts from Salem Hospital, Salem Health Agent David Greenbaum, and Omar Santiago, RN, from North Shore Community Health. COVID-19 in Salem: www.salem.com/covid Vaccine information: www.salem.com/vaccine Salem Hospital: https://nsmc.partners.org/ North Shore Community Health: https://www.nschi.org/ Destination Salem's COVID-19 information: www.salem.org/covid19 Salem Board of Health: www.salem.com/health

On the most recent episode of the FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll talks with Dr. David Roberts, president of Salem Hospital. They discuss the COVID-19 Delta variant, how Salem residents can help protect themselves and their loved ones, and changes happening at Salem Hospital. COVID-19 in Salem: www.salem.com/covid Salem Hospital: https://nsmc.partners.org/ Rental Assistance: www.salem.com/renthelp Bridge Street Neck Zoning: https://publicinput.com/bridgestreetneck Election Central: www.salem.com/city-clerk-elections

On the most recent FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll talks with Robyn Burns, director of the Salem Pantry. The two discuss food security efforts in Salem, the work of Salem Food for All (the city's food policy council), all that the Salem Pantry provides, and how the pantry has helped the community respond during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Salem Pantry: www.thesalempantry.org Heritage Days: www.salem.com/heritagedays Salem Summer Performance Series: www.salem.com/home/news/city-salem-announces-2021-summer-performance-series COVID-19 in Salem: www.salem.com/covid

On the latest FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll speaks with Shawn Newton, chairman of the City's Race Equity Task Force. The two talk about the Task Force, its mission, and the recommendations contained in the Task Force's newly published report. Race Equity Task Force and Report: https://raceequitysalem.org/ COVID vaccines in Salem: www.salem.com/vaccine Hospitality employee hiring incentives: www.salem.com/incentives Heritage Days: www.salem.com/heritagedays

On the most recent FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll talks with Salem's historic preservation planner Patti Kelleher about the new Charter Street Welcome Center, the historic Charter Street burial ground, and the Peabody Essex Museum's Samuel Pickman House. Charter Street Welcome Center: www.charterstreetcemetery.com/ Charter Street Cemetery restoration project: www.preservingsalem.com/charter-street-burial-ground-restoration-project Preserving Salem: www.preservingsalem.com My Salem MA app: www.salem.com/app Salem Willows signature park project: www.salem.com/willows COVID vaccines in Salem: www.salem.com/vaccine

On the latest FYI Salem podcast, Mayor Kim Driscoll talks with small business owners Angelica Chayes and Eric Moers of Odd Meter Coffee and Ryan Harriman of Spitfire Tacos. They discuss why they chose Salem to open their businesses, what makes their eateries special, and what it was like launching a new business during the pandemic. Odd Meter Coffee: www.oddmetercoffee.com Spitfire Tacos: www.spitfiresalem.com COVID Vaccinations: www.salem.com/vaccine Expanded Pre-K: www.salemk12.org/our_district/what_s_new/early_education_partnership_program Bluebikes in Salem: www.salem.com/bluebikes

The latest FYI Salem podcast features Mayor Kim Driscoll's remarks from the City Council meeting of June 11, 2021, when the Council took up their final votes on the proposed FY2022 City budget. FY22 Budget: www.salem.com/fy22