Ms. Chaisson is retiring on October 31, 2025 and Council honored her by proclaiming October 30, 2025, "Alyson Chaisson Day" in Salem.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS we are here today to express our appreciation to Alyson Chaisson for 42 years of distinguished service to the City of Salem, its employees, and residents from 1983-2025; and

WHEREAS, in August of 1983, after graduating from Salem High School and attending New River Community College, Alyson began her journey of more than four decades of public service in the city. Initially, she was hired as a secretary to help organize the brand-new Salem School Division that opened its doors in 1983; and

WHEREAS, what seemed like the perfect job lasted only a month, and in September of 1983, Alyson was hired by Frank Turk, who, at the time, was the Finance Director for the city and schools. Back then, there were no personal computers or cell phones for employees. Her primary tools of the trade were an adding machine and an IBM memory typewriter; and

WHEREAS, since then, Alyson has remained a constant and invaluable source as an Accounting Technician in the Finance Department. In this role, Alyson was situated at the front of the office and at the main entrance to City Hall, where she not only performed her daily tasks, but also engaged with employees and citizens with a polite and professional manner; and  

WHEREAS, during her 42 years and 14 days of employment, Alyson faithfully and professionally performed her daily tasks and was a problem solver under two Finance Directors and five City Manager; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career, Alyson also supported the physical and mental well-being of her co-workers and city employees teaching a variety of fitness classes during her lunch hour and after work at the Salem Senior Center; and

WHEREAS, Alyson always exemplified what it means to be a loyal Salem employee, and a person who always shined a positive light on others; and

WHEREAS, today, the City of Salem salutes Alyson Chaisson, a dedicated employee whose work has improved the lives of her co-workers, enhanced the efficiency of the Finance Department’s daily operations, and made our overall community a better place to live.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RENÉE FERRIS TURK, Mayor of the City of Salem, Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby proclaim October 30, 2025, as

ALYSON CHAISSON DAY

In the City of Salem, Virginia, and urge all residents and employees to join me and the City Council to congratulate Alyson on an outstanding career with the City of Salem and wishing her many continued years of happiness and good health.

FURTHERMORE;  let it be resolved that Alyson Chaisson shall forever be recognized as an integral part of the City of Salem, and we offer gratitude and best wishes for her well-earned retirement and all future endeavors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Salem to be affixed this the 30th day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

Mayor of the City of Salem, Virginia

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Renée Ferris Turk
Anne Marie Green
John Saunders
H. Hunter Holliday
Randy Foley

ATTEST:
H. Robert Light
Clerk of Council
City of Salem, Virginia