To begin Monday night’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, Mayor Bob Greer and City Manager Kim Haws brought attention to some upcoming city events – and one that didn’t happen as planned.

 

“Sometimes it’s hard to fight Mother Nature,” said Greer, referring to the Annual Scottish Heritage Festival & Celtic Gathering - which due to last week’s ongoing rains and subsequent drenched grounds – did not take place Saturday at Bridgeport City Park.

 

Greer compared that “wash out” to this past winter’s Winter Jazz Weekend. Slated to be held at Bridgeport Conference Center, the show went on as planned, but because the area received about two feet of snow, less than a dozen people showed up. 

 

“Those aren’t reasons we shouldn’t continue to do those things,” he said. “Hopefully, we can bring culture and activity to Bridgeport once again, but unfortunately it didn’t happen this weekend.”

 

Greer announced that dedication of the new Veterans Memorial, situate across Main Street from All Saints Catholic Church, will take place at noon May 26. Haws added that weather has hindered progress of the construction and that tents have been erected so work can continue.

 

“We anticipate staying on schedule for that program and we’re working towards that,” he said.

 

Haws also called attention to the May 17 Kids’ Day at Bridgeport City Park.

 

“This began several years ago as part of the city’s efforts to increase public awareness of preparedness issues for families, individuals and community,” he said. “These have become wonderful events and the community comes out and supports these activities rigorously.”

 

Kids’ Day will run 6-8 p.m. May 17 and will include food, fun and plenty of educational activities, Haws said. (Read about it HERE.) 

 

As the special presentations portion of the meeting began, the BHS Jazz Ensemble was presented a proclamation for being chosen as the Honor Jazz Ensemble for West Virginia. The ensemble also earned that honor in 2009, 2011, 2012. Director Chris Hayslette and his musicians accepted the proclamation by Mayor Greer, who also presented each member with a key to the city. Hayslette expressed appreciation on behalf of his group and explained the selection process. See the video below.

 

Council also recognized Mallory Bell, a Johnson Elementary fifth grader who won the 2016 West Virginia Engineering Week Competition held at West Virginia University. She also was presented a key to the city.

The newest member of the city’s police force, 21-year-old Kristopher Wariner, was sworn into his position. Mayor Greer did the honors and Police Chief John Walker said Bridgeport is fortunate to have Wariner on board. A brand new graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy, Wariner is presently completing the field training officer program and will start patrolling in mid-August.

 

The sole item of business on Monday night’s agenda was the second reading of an ordinance amending, enacting and re-enacting Section 1711.02 of Article 111 entitled West Virginia State Building Code of the Official Code of the City of Bridgeport. Relating to code official certification, the ordinance passed on first reading at Council’s last meeting and though a public meeting was declared, there was no outside interest in the matter. Director of Community Development Randy Spellman advised that there has been no subsequent feedback or questions on behalf of residents. The ordinance passed on second reading. As previously explained by Spellman, the ordinance will enable the city to have more control over building codes under Home Rule. It will help on a number of fronts in streamlining the process, including new hires. Under the new ordinance, The West Virginia Fire Commission is removed from that process.

 

With regard to Teacher Appreciation Week – observed May 2-6 - Councilor John Wilson publicly expressed appreciation to teachers in Harrison County schools.

“These kids who were before us this evening certainly speak to the successes of the school system and that is because of our teachers,” he said.

 

Wilson also made mention of the potential city box garden project that City Clerk Andrea Kerr is heading up. He encouraged residents to become involved in that project.

 

The Greater Harrison County Drug and Crimes Task Force was also recognized for receiving the 2016 U.S. Attorneys’ Award. The head of that task force, Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker said he had just received that grant award on Monday. Read more HERE.

 

Greer also encouraged residents to get out and vote in Tuesday’s election. All races are contested and it’s vital that all voters play a role in choosing decision makers for the future of the county, state and nation.

 

Upon adjournment of Monday’s meeting, Council entered into executive session. Greer prefaced the executive session by saying that no official action would be taken. Prior to Monday’s regular session, Council met in a work session with representatives of the Clarksburg Mission, who made a presentation with regard to a potential sober house to be built in downtown Clarksburg. More coverage of that presentation can be read HERE.  

 

See more photos from Monday night's proclamations and presentations HERE.