After tonight’s reports from Mayor Bob Greer and City Manager Kim Haws, City Council’s attention was focused on organizers of the Scottish Festival & Celtic Gathering. In its 14^th year, the festival will be held this weekend with the main event Saturday, May 2 at Bridgeport City Park. (Read about the festival HERE.) 

 

Mayor Greer read a proclamation and presented it to Kim Sabo, president of the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia.

 

The proclamation said, in part, that the City of Bridgeport is proud to celebrate all cultures and that each year, organizers of the Scottish Festival & Celtic Gathering extend an invitation to all citizens and visitors to join them in celebrating all things Scottish and Celtic. The proclamation also paid tribute to the memory of Ann Watson, the festival’s founder and original organizer/chairperson. The festival took place for nine years under her devoted leadership and constant attention to detail. Since it began in 2001, the festival has grown in size and expanded in scope, resulting in the promotion of Bridgeport’s economy and the enjoyment of its citizens.

 

It was announced that a bronze plaque honoring Watson has been ordered and will be presented to organizers Saturday during the festival.

 

“The city will dedicate the bronze plaque in memory of Ann Watson and it will permanently be at City Park in honor of her efforts and yours,” said Greer, addressing Sabo and other organizers who accompanied her tonight.

 

Sabo thanked Greer and the city of Bridgeport for the proclamation and for its overall support of the festival. She pointed out the countless hours involved each year in prepping City Park for the event,  the presence of law enforcement and first responders at each annual festival and the city's continuous financial support. 

 

Council then delved into the business portion of tonight’s meeting. First was the second and final reading of an ordinance providing for the purchase of two lots or parcels of land known, numbered, and designated as lots nos. 33 and 34 of Woodland Hills Subdivision for public water distribution system purposes, situate on Sherwood Road, in the City of Bridgeport, Simpson District, Harrison County, West Virginia.

 

The first reading took place at the April 13 Council meeting. The matter originated from a meeting of the Bridgeport Utility Board for the purpose of addressing water pressure issues in the area. The total price for the property is $30,000. The ordinance was approved on second and final reading.

 

The sole item of new business was the appointment of 2015 municipal election poll workers. A list of proposed poll workers had been provided beforehand to Council members, said City Clerk Andrea Kerr.

 

“The list has the names of the poll workers and party affiliation and if you’ll notice, every precinct has two republicans and two democrats so they are spread evenly throughout each precinct,” Kerr said.

 

Council’s approval of the list is standard procedure for each municipal election, she said. After inquiry by Councilor Darrell Bowen, Kerr also said that those who typically vote at Simpson Elementary will cast their votes for the June 9 election at City Hall. All registered voters of that precinct will receive letters about the change in venue. The reason for that change is that school will still be in session on election day. Kerr also reminded residents that anyone can participate in early voting at City Hall May 27 through June 6.

 

Also tonight:

 

City Manager Haws announced that groundbreaking for the city's new Veterans Memorial will take place at 12 p.m. May 19. The location is just across Main Street from All Saints Catholic church. He also announced that the April 25 Community Shred Day was an overwhelming success.

 

Bridgeport resident Jane Sandler addressed Council, lobbying for an addition to the city’s dog park. The designated area would be for smaller dogs that are often intimidated by bigger dogs. She also suggested that rules be posted, including mandatory cleanup of dogs which utilize the park. Mayor Greer and City Manager Haws said they would follow up with Sandler’s request and confer with Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, who is planning some upgrades to the dog park.