A standing room only crowd attended Tuesday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, and it had nothing to do with concerned residents. Rather, it had everything to do with proud parents and teachers.

 

Most of a relatively short Council session was focused on honoring dozens of students from both Johnson Elementary School and Bridgeport High School. Mayor Andy Lang did the honors in recognizing three groups from JES and a state championship squad from Bridgeport High.

 

“We are proud to recognize you,” Lang told those gathered.

 

Hannah Stout, a student of Karla Rose, was one of 2 state winners of the First Lady’s Student Artist Series “Thank a Veteran” contest. They both came before Council where Stout was presented with a certificate. After Stout, Addison Leach, a student of Karen Helsley, was read and given a certificated as the state winner of the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association (WVSSPA) Christmas Card Contest.

 

Once the two individuals from Johnson were finished Amy Reinhart’s first grade class came to the front of Council chambers. The group stood politely as Lang read off another certificate being presented to the entire group as the state winner of the First Lady’s Ornament Design Contest in the K-2 division. The ornament was featured on the state Christmas tree.

 

Following that, BHS cheer Coach Natalie Hathaway and assistant Janet Hathaway led their squad to the front. Lang presented the group with a proclamation recognizing the Indians for capturing the Class AA state title – the school’s first since 2001.

 

The head coach and the mayor discussed the group’s successes this year in various competitions, including the state event in Huntington. The score, they said, was the highest in any classification during the event.

 

As for official business, there was little. Ryan Haws was reappointed to the Zoning Appeals Board and Doug Marquette was reappointed to the Development Authority. The terms are for three years.

 

Marquette also addressed Council on behalf of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport. He thanked them for the addition of the Center Street parking lot, the city’s façade program and their willingness to assist in ABB events such as Light Up Night.

 

Council did approve a change order for up to $196,000 for the Bridgeport Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex. The money is to help with an issue contractors came up with coal seams that changed retaining wall plans. During the work session prior to the meeting, the Interim Special Projects Manager Fred Burton gave an update on the $40-plus million facility.

 

More on this meeting, including a full photo gallery, within the next week on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Mayor Andy Lang shaking hands with Addison Leach as teacher Karen Helsley looks on, while the second photo shows one of many young faces in the crowd. At the bottom a student in Amy Reinhart’s first grade class holds a certificate presented to the class as Reinhart addresses the crowd.