After reports by Mayor Robert Greer and City Manager Kim Haws, Fire Chief Robert Seccuro took the floor at tonight’s Bridgeport City Council meeting.

 

In addition to formally thanking Council for the purchase of the fire department’s new training facility – often referred to as the “burn building” – Seccuro assured citizens that the facility, located behind Bridgeport Fire Department on Main Street, was being used and will continued to be used with the utmost safety and respect of area residents and business owners.

 

There has been one official complaint about smoke generated during training. That complaint has not gone unnoticed and presents a good opportunity to address the public, Seccuro said.

 

“We are trying to be that good neighbor – making sure training doesn’t bother anybody, keeping people up to date and paying attention to wind direction and speed and keeping everybody safe,” he said. “When wind is traveling toward Main Street, we won’t be burning so as not to impact businesses.”

 

The department has been utilizing the modular training center on a regular basis. That training has been invaluable and in some cases, a first-time experience for the city’s firefighters, Seccuro said.

 

“In talking to our firefighters, this is probably the biggest thing a lot of them been able to experience in their careers,” he said. “Since receiving the facility, crews have burned there at least once a day with the exception of three days and during those days there were hose evaluations, etc., switching the training up and doing different things. But probably the most vital training they will ever receive is being able to see a fire and experience it, learning how to handle it before it occurs in one of our citizen’s homes or businesses.”

 

Seccuro assured Council and those in attendance that training will continue in a safe manner and the citizens will be taken care of, as well.  

 

Before Council delved into tonight’s slated business, the 2015 Community Pride Award was presented to business owner Mark Carder, owner of Carder Motors on West Main Street. Carder has been in the car dealership business for more than 20 years and has owned other used vehicle dealerships in the area. Carder has also purchased the former Hardee’s building situate just across Main Street from Carder Motors. He said he has been exploring options for the building’s use.

 

The first item of business discussed was the appointment of Lisa McKitrick and Carole Kinard as ballot commissioners for the 2015 Bridgeport Municipal Election, to be held June 9. Both McKitrick and Kinard have served in that capacity many times in the past, said Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr. Both commissioners were reappointed by unanimous vote.

 

Also approved by unanimous vote was the consideration and reappointment of Pete Conley to the Bridgeport Fire Civil Service Commission for a term of four years.

 

“Pete Conley has served on that commission for an extended period of time,” Greer said. “I signed the formal letter last week reappointing him to that commission and I ask that Council adopt and approve that reappointment.”

 

A Bridgeport native and Bridgeport High School graduate, Conley practices law with the firm of Siegrist & White PLLC in Clarksburg.

 

Tonight’s meeting was heavily attended by members of Bridgeport VIPS – Volunteers in Police Services. Those individuals gathered in support of three new members, who have completed required training and logged sufficient driving hours to become official VIPS members.

 

Sworn in by Mayor Greer were Frank Perris, Richard Snell and Stephen McCarty. Bridgeport VIPS assist the police force and the community by patrolling neighborhoods, overseeing parking during public events, helping with traffic control at accidents and assisting with administrative duties, such as fingerprinting.

 

Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker thanked all VIPS for their service and also extended appreciation to Sgt. Robert Goodrich and Emergency Services Coordinator Laura Pysz for their work with the volunteers.

 

“Bobby has done a great job and has been involved with overseeing the VIPS for some time,” Walker said. “Laura has also done a lot with regard to funding and organizing equipment.”

 

 Bridgeport VIPS members logged a total of 1,140 hours in 2014.

 

“We really commend you guys. You are special to us,” Goodrich said.

 

Goodrich advised that another training opportunity is coming up for those interested in serving the community – or just gaining some free insight with regard to emergency preparedness.

 

The Harrison County Community Emergency Response Team is offering a 20-hour training course, providing critical skills in emergency preparedness and response. Participants will learn how to identify and anticipate hazards, reduce fire hazards in the workplace, extinguish small fires, assist emergency responders, conduct light search and rescue, set up treatment areas, apply basic medical techniques and help reduce survivor stress.

 

Classes will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 17 and Tues., Feb. 24 at the Bridgeport Fire Department. Presenters which are experts in their fields will teach skills which individuals can utilize to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.

 

“We’re trying to get more of the community involved with this training,” he said. “If you see a class you are interested in, come down and go to that class. You are not mandated to attend every Thursday. If you see something interesting, come check it out.”

 

There were no budget revisions or authorizations necessary. Council did engage in an executive session following tonight’s regular meeting.

 

Also tonight:

 

Mayor Greer reported on Winter Jazz Weekend, held this past weekend. He commended organizers of the two-night event at Bridgeport Conference Center, as well as Eddie Allen and his band who traveled from New York City to serve as featured entertainment. Winter Jazz Weekend also included the “Too Cool for School” music workshop for area high school band students. Those students worked with featured professional jazz musicians and performed during Saturday night’s ticketed event.

 

Mayor Greer reminded the public of this Thursday’s 6 p.m. Town Meeting at Bridgeport High School during which U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld will address “Drug Prevention & Intervention,” particularly the ongoing prescription pill and heroin epidemic.

 

“I encourage everyone to get out, attend and learn as much as they can about a very serious problem we have here in our community,” he said.

 

Greer also announced that three individuals have filed candidacy for the June 9 Bridgeport Municipal Election and that the filing process will remain open through April 9. 

 

City Manager Kim Haws informed those in attendance that the Harrison County Commission approved funding and creation of the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation and the Harrison County Economic Assurance Alliance.

 

“The intent is to move forward with incorporation of that corporation and as soon as that happens, we should receive a request for funding that Council has appropriated for that policy,” he said.

 

Haws advised that letters of delinquency have been sent to those who still owe outside fire fees, some who are 24 months delinquent. It is hoped that the letters generate payment action and that no further action will be necessary, he said.

 

Recorder Melissa Matheny took the opportunity to spread awareness of the Feb. 19 “Paint the Town Blue” to honor members of law enforcement and pay tribute to fallen law enforcers. More detail will be forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top are Seccuro; Mark Carder and Mayor Greer with members of  Council looking on; members of Bridgeport VIPS; and new VIPS members sworn in tonight (left to right) Snell, Perris and McCarty. See more photos HERE.