City of Salem appoints and approves new City Manager

SALEM, W.Va. (WBOY) — Early Friday morning, Salem City Council held a special meeting to appoint and approve new City Manager Shawn Dahlheimer.

Dahlheimer has lived in Salem for around 20 years. Before his appointment to this position, he worked as part of the Public Works Department, one of many hats he has donned over the years across Salem and his career.

The Salem City Council said that Dalheimer will be bringing years of business experience and knowledge of different departments’ work to the city manager role.

Dahlheimer told 12 News he is planning on being in his role for about two to five years and said his goal will be to build on teamwork between departments in the town as well as train someone to take the city manager position in the future after he steps down.

Mayor Brandie Garner said the city council is now working on training employees to be able to step into leadership roles, and that cross-training of people will start soon, so everyone is acquainted with different roles and able to step into them if need be.

The council said Dahlheimer was one of five city manager candidates, and it believed he was the most well-rounded candidate. Although the city manager seat was filled by Interim Manager and Salem Police Lieutenant Colten Travis, the city had been actively looking for someone after former city manager Jeff Edwards abruptly resigned during a council meeting three months ago.

Edwards’ resignation came amid backlash from residents and city council members over information given to the council that led to it voting to shut down Salem EMS. The service has since been reinstated and is breaking even according to city officials. The service also recently ordered ALS medications and is looking to employ a full-time paramedic.

The council said that anyone interested in applying for the paramedic position should call 304-782-1318.

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