Salem City Council unanimously voted yesterday to appoint James L. Chisom as Salem’s newest council member. Chisom will fill the position vacated by Lisa Garst and serve out the remainder of her term, which expires on June 30, 2016. Officials say council members considered a number of candidates before selecting Chisom during the closed session portion of yesterday’s meeting. Chisom was born and raised in Salem and is a graduate of both Salem High School and Roanoke College. From 2000 to 2008 he served three terms on the Salem City School Board. Before last night’s meeting, Garst was given a key to the city by her fellow members on Council. She was first elected to the city’s governing body in 2008 and served seven years with her tenure officially coming to an end yesterday. She will take over as the Director of Livable Roanoke Valley on January 4, 2016.
