Operation: Oath
Briefing
Briefing:
During our launch, Wicked Salem Tours encountered unexpected challenges with local licensing procedures. This experience became a defining moment in our commitment to integrity. transparency, and excellence. Values that guide every tour we operate today.
In June of 2024, our business efforts were delayed which led to a costly start up business delay due to misinformation conveyed to our Founder & Chief Executive Officer when originally inquiring information about obtaining a license as a public tour guide from the city hall clerk’s office in Salem, Massachusetts, and was then told when returning with the proper paperwork completed, that it was too late in the season to file as the deciding tour board members wouldn’t convene again for approvals until next season. Upon returning the next season, the information changed again, stating that the application process could’ve continued at any time, even critiquing the paperwork that was brought to be turned in, as being incorrect, although it was provided out of their office, deflecting any and all responsibility for the blatant misinformation. We received conflicting guidance during the licensing process, which caused delays to our planned launch.
Initial Action Steps
Initial Action Steps:
Sent out official professional complaint letters to:
- The Honorable Mayor Dominick Pangallo of the City of Salem’s Office
- The Honorable Joy Campbell Inspector General’s Office
- The Honorable Seth Moulton U.S. House of Representative’s Office
- Salem City Council President’s Office
- City of Salem Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Consumer Protection
- City of Salem Director of the Human Resources Department
- City of Salem Clerk’s Office
We’re awaiting a professional response to have the situation rectified and to be compensated with a grace period after the official complaint letter has been received.
Recorded Social Proof
Recorded Social Proof:
Recorded social proof with video and images that can be found on this page to create authentic awareness for a resolution.
Sign Petition For Local Guide License Revisions
Sign Petition for Local Guide License Revisions:
Sign a local petition for revisions for the Salem Public Tour Guide License with accountability and transparency in Salem licensing procedures to be presented to applicable entities for consideration.
Petition for Accountability and Transparency in Salem Licensing Procedures
To the Office of the Mayor of Salem, the Salem City Council, and the Administration of the City of Salem:
We, the undersigned residents, visitors, and supporters of small businesses in Salem, respectfully call for transparency, accountability, and fair treatment within the city’s public licensing processes.
Salem is a city known around the world for its history, tourism industry, and vibrant community of small businesses. The success of Salem depends heavily on entrepreneurs who invest their time, finances, and passion into building experiences that benefit both residents and visitors.
However, when public licensing procedures are inconsistent, unclear, or improperly administered, the consequences can be significant. Small business owners may face financial losses, delays in operations, and damage to their professional reputation.
This petition calls upon the leadership of the City of Salem to:
1. Review the procedures used in issuing public tour guide licenses.
2. Ensure that all applicants receive clear, consistent, and accurate information from city offices regarding licensing requirements and timelines.
3. Implement improved training and oversight for staff responsible for communicating licensing policies to the public.
4. Provide transparency regarding the policies and procedures governing tour guide licensing in Salem.
5. Establish safeguards that prevent similar issues from impacting future applicants and local entrepreneurs.
Salem’s tourism economy relies on trust between the city, its residents, and the many individuals who work to share Salem’s history with visitors from around the world.
We believe that strengthening transparency and accountability will protect both the reputation of Salem and the small businesses that contribute to its success.
By signing this petition, we support fair treatment, transparency, and responsible governance within the City of Salem.
Sign the Petition
Name:
City / State:
Email (optional):
Comment (optional):
☐ I support transparency and accountability in Salem’s licensing procedures.
Petition Recipients
This petition will be formally delivered to:
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The Office of the Mayor of Salem
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The Salem City Council
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Relevant municipal departments responsible for licensing and oversight
Support
Support:
There’s thousands of ways that you can make a giant difference in our business journey for free. By visiting our Support page, you can learn more about ways that you can get behind our business and champion our brand!
Grab An Operation: Oath Hat
Operation:
Oath
This collection contains an American Flag-colored variant resembling our Operation: Oath emblem, representing the importance of reputation, with a brave and patriotic style of our brand logo design, to begin our business with honor.
Anyone that purchases any items from our Operation: Oath that messages us on social with proof-of-purchase, will receive an exclusive invite to our Wicked Club Membership for absolutely no charge for life.
Anyone that posts and tags any Operation: Oath merchandise with our brand in a video or picture and gives us permission to use the image, will be shouted out across our socials and have the image hosted on our Community Spotlight page.
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Socks
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Men’s Athletic Shoes
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Women’s Athletic Shoes
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Bomber Jacket
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Hoodie
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Women’s Rash Guard
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Track Pants
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Collection ITour Wars – Collection I – Men’s Rash Guard
Price range: $37.50 through $42.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
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Videos
Contents
Letters
Official Responses
Official Responses:
The exact official responses in appropriate chronological time order as they were received are listed below.
The Office of the Inspector General in Massachusetts
The Office of the Inspector General was the first to reach out with an official response regarding the official complaint letter that our business filed in conjunction with the delay due to misinformation. Originally, their office had reached out to our team on March 25, 2026 by calling twice-in-a-row, back-to-back, leaving a voicemail on their second call. Our team returned their phone call within five minutes, but due to the private confidentiality in which their office handles communication, it was relayed over to a voicemail system, in which we reiterated information, leaving a voicemail for a returned call.
Our team reached out again the following day, on March 26, 2026, leaving a message with the front lobby regarding the reason for the call, mentioning the voicemail left the day before by someone from their office. Our team received a phone call back a little over an hour later and was able to speak to the individual from their office whom originally reached out that had left the voicemail.
After a conversation that lasted 17 minutes, it was concluded by the end of the call after discussing all of the details regarding the delay, that the Office of the Attorney General in Massachusetts was unable to directly help or be involved in this particular circumstance, though their representatives took note of the situation, wishing us the best of luck and a speedy resolve to this unfortunate incident of misinformation from the City Hall Clerk’s Office in Salem, Massachusetts.