For anyone that attends Bridgeport City Council meetings on a regular basis in an official or unofficial capacity, they know John Wilson typically gets in the last word before a meeting is adjourned. This evening, after a heartfelt final delivery to the governing body by fellow Council member Diana Marra Wilson didn’t make an exception.

 

As it turned out, his final words were all about the time Marra has served on Council.

 

“There’s a favorite old saying that I have, and have said it many, many times. One person, and Diana you’re that person, authors a life story. You authored your eight years here on City Council,” said Wilson. “(Father) John (Cole) and (husband) Robert and everyone should understand and believe she has written certainly a best seller. I congratulate you and I’ve appreciated serving with you.”

 

Twice elected for Council, Marra came up short in her quest for the seat of Bridgeport’s mayor during the June 13 election. However, her final words to those on hand this evening were far from bitter. In a manner many would say was standard, Marra talked about the future and what she hopes the next governing body would do.

 

Marra’s words were strong and on point. She said the hardest part of talking about anything Council related was using the word “I” as she said it was always about the term “we” when discussing things accomplished.

 

“City Council was never about me. It was always about what was doing right for Bridgeport,” said Marra, who said she became involved in the public sphere 10 years again when fighting for community schools. “ … I’m not a politician, but I took my role as an elected official in the City of Bridgeport very seriously. I’m not sure I could begin to count the hours invested in working on city issues for our residents over the last eight years, but it has been a labor of love.”

 

Marra praised the city’s administration, the department heads and employees during her final words. She called working with them, and fellow council members “a pleasure.” She added that she’s a proud member of “team Bridgeport.”

 

She cautioned Council about recent discord and emphasized despite differences to make sure to put the city first. Marra said it was important to respect and abide by the city charter that makes Bridgeport different and successful.

 

Among her final advice to the soon-to-be-new Council was a “to-do” list. She listed financial management as the top thing to focus on, followed by the building of the indoor recreational complex.

 

“To do something halfway is not the Bridgeport way,” said Marra when talking about the recreation complex.

 

She pointed to annexation issues that need addressed, continued cooperation with Harrison County Board of Education on a number of matters, most urgently creating a traffic plan for this fall for that area as construction continues. Marra also asked emphasis be placed on upgrades to roads, sidewalks, water and sewer in established neighborhoods along with additional phases to the city’s storm water management plan.

 

Marra talked about several other area and added that “when you get those done I have a few other ideas.” She thanked past voters for her previous election support and those who voted for her in her run for mayor. However, when she got to the point where she wanted to thank her family Marra become emotional and struggled to get her words out. As many may have expected, she carried on.

 

“There aren’t words,” said Marra when addressing her family as her voice cracked with emotion, “to express my appreciation and love. I know there were sacrifices made so I could serve. My husband and son (Ross) are closer today because of all the evenings they spent together while I was at a Council meeting, a Board of Education meeting or other city function. To my father, a special thanks for believing in me and setting an example.”

 

While the meeting ended with Wilson commending Marra, near the start, outgoing Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer praised her as well. Greer’s “mayor’s report” focused on Marra.

 

“I want to thank Diana Marra for the privilege of being able to serve all eight of my years with her … What I’ve found out about Diana is that in her heart she always does what she believes is best for Bridgeport,” said Greer.

 

Marra's term officially ends June 30. The new mayor, Andy Lang, as well as the swearing in of Dustin Vincent, Greer and Wilson to four-year terms on Council, will take place at the July 10 meeting.

 

In other business Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that will rezone 1.75 acres from Residential-1 (single family units) to Business-2 that abuts the Abraham Linc property. The land, according to president and CEO Darren Abraham, will be used as a parking lot as part of a planned $1.5 million expansion.

 

The Planning Commission recommended the rezoning be granted. Council then tabled the recommendation at its last meeting in order for Council members to review the property. Rezoning requests typically draw more scrutiny from Council, particularly when abutting property owners voice concern.

 

At tonight’s meeting, John Pinti who lives at the Rosewood development above the area that would be rezoned, voiced his concerns for “several neighbors” who he said could not be in attendance. Pinti said he would be more agreeable to the proposal if he could see a final plan of what would take place.

 

Greer told Pinti his neighbors would be welcome to attend and voice their concerns at the next meeting of Council, which also falls on July 10. At that meeting, the second and final reading of the ordinance would take place.

 

Council also approved joining the West Virginia Municipal Police Officers and Firefighter retirement systems. Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith explained the upside to joining with the top item being that any member of either staff could retire with at least 20 years of service once they reach the age of 50. He said he believed it would be a “carrot” to recruit individuals to join both staffs in the future.

 

Coming up later this week, a look at comments made by members of the public focusing on the recent Sound Waves and IPAs craft beer and music festival at Bridgeport City Park, and comments regarding the arts in the city. A few other items will be up for discussion later as well. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Diana Marra addressing those gathered at the Council meeting as fellow member Jeff Smell looks on. In the second photo, she gets a post-meeting hug from member Dustin Vincent, while Assistant City Manager Jimmy Smith talks to Council on one of two topics during the session. Bottom photo shows Mayor Robert Greer, bottom right, and member Hank Murray, talking with Marra following the meeting.