After learning first-hand about everything from city government structure to land development and finance, members of the City of Bridgeport’s “Leadership Bridgeport” is ready for graduation – and special plans have been made for that purpose.  

 

“This year, the class has been invited to the City Council meeting on March 25 to receive their certificates,” said City Clerk Andrea Kerr. “City Council recognizes the amount of time and effort put forth by these individuals to be at City Hall and participate in the classes on a monthly basis and will be recognizing them for their efforts.”

 

The 2012/2013 Leadership Bridgeport Class includes Michael R. Fresa, Kerry Hess, Philip A. Dye, James Simon, Irene Malfregeot, D. Patrick Jeffers, Laura Pysz, Lisa Price, Jolie Carter, Shirley Hadorn and JoAnn D. James. 

 

Starting back in August, nearly a dozen residents from all walks of life have gathered monthly  at City Hall to learn from city staff and officials. Sometimes, they have loaded up in vehicles to make field trips to various local places of interest.  

 

Each monthly session lasted three to four hours, with topics including city government, economic and community development, firefighting, parks and recreation, finance, customer service, IT, library, infrastructure, emergency services and law enforcement. Representatives from various departments led the instruction and discussion.

 

A new Leadership Bridgeport class will begin August 2013. It is open to all interested citizens living in the city and is particularly useful for those interested in serving on city boards, commissions and committees.

 

Two members of the current class – Pat Jeffers and Jolie Carter - have already been asked to serve and are serving on the city’s planning commission, Kerr said.

 

Pysz said she values the course so much that she would take it again. She feels she has gained much knowledge about the city.

 

It was amazing to learn how the different departments in the city work together to keep our city running smooth," she said.

The following are high points obtained during the eight monthly sessions, according to Pysz:

*Only three cities in the state have an emergency management department and Bridgeport is one of them - every other city relies on the County Emergency Management Department.

*Our City is expanding by leaps and bounds - Hotel Rooms are at 95 percent occupancy because of the oil and gas workers and that money is feeding back into the economy.

*The city has strict zoning and property maintenance ordinances in order to keep it looking beautiful.

*Bridgeport Police Department responded to 10,509 calls last year, which averages to 28.79 calls per day.

*Bridgeport Fire Department responded to 2,152 Calls in 2012.

 On the part of both the organizers and participants, the class is a great undertaking; but the payoff is likewise two-fold.

 

“The purpose of the program is to assist citizens to be more familiar with Bridgeport’s city government and services,” Kerr said.

 

“The hope of the city, Kerr said, "is that the participants learn new things about their community, the departments which serve their community and possibly become active in moving the city forward.

 

“We want this experience to allow the participants to view the city in new ways and gain perspective from the individuals who run the city’s departments,” she said.

 

To witness this graduation – and become informed about City Council happenings and discussions - the public is invited to attend the 7 p.m. March 25 City Council meeting at Bridgeport City Hall.

 

Also being honored are members and coaches of the Bridgeport Indians girls basketball team, who recently captured the 2013 West Virginia AA championship. Read that story HERE.

 

Pictured are members of the Bridgeport Leadership class during an educational visit at Bridgeport Fire Department.