NOTE: It was initially reported that Council would recognize the BHS Orchestra and Concert Bands. The following article has been amended to reflect that it is the BHS Jazz Ensemble that is receiving recognition Monday night. We apologize for the misunderstanding. 

Besides the second reading of an ordinance relating to changes to the city’s building and inspection codes as they relate to Home Rule, Monday night’s Bridgeport City Council meeting will be quite congratulatory in nature.

Mayor Bob Greer and members of Council will pay tribute to the Bridgeport Fire Department and to the Bridgeport High School Jazz Ensemble for capturing the State Honor Finalist in the High School Jazz category for the fourth time.

"Our musicians here in Bridgeport are just as important as our athletes and they invest just as many hours of dedication,” said Mayor Bob Greer. “We want to recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments.”

The reason behind Bridgeport Fire Department’s recognition is the firefighters’ actions at a recent apartment fire that took place in the city.

 “We’re offering a little extra praise to the fire department. They saved a man’s life,” said Greer about the April 22 fire at the Crestview Apartment complex. With Interim Fire Chief Phil Hart at the helm, the department arrived on site very quickly and were able to extinguish the fire and confine it to the apartment in which it originated and the unit directly above it. After being treated on site, one male individual was flown to West Penn Burn Center. He remains in serious condition. The other six apartments in the complex did have smoke and water damage.

 “We want to bring members of the department in and recognize them for their outstanding heroism,” Greer said.

(Read coverage of the Crestview fire HERE.)

Greer and City Manager Kim Haws will also provide reports at Monday night’s meeting and a new member of law enforcement will be sworn in. Scheduled to start with the police force in August is 21-year-old Kristopher Wariner, said Police Chief John Walker.

“Kris went to the State Police Academy and graduated two weeks ago and he’s doing very well in the field training officer program. He seems to be going through with flying colors,” Walker said.

 Wariner has located from Marion County to Harrison County and should be with the department by mid-August, Walker said.

 “He’s in the military, too, so he has two weeks of summer training during a couple weekends this summer,” he said.

 Wariner replaces Officer Steve Brown, who left the department a few months ago.

Prior to the regular 7 p.m. session, Council will participate in a work session during which time they will meet with representatives of the Clarksburg Mission.

“Executive Director Chris Mullett will share with us what they are doing at the mission and how what they’re doing has an impact on our community – and vice versa,” Greer said. “We’ll talk about some of their ideas and plans for growth and development of their program.”

Editor's Note: Pictured from top members of Bridgeport City Council Jeff Smell and Diana Cole Marra with Mayor Bob Greer and City Clerk Andrea Kerr; Mayor Bob Greer presenting a proclamation to Emma Dotson, who recently won the West Virginia Municipal League's "If I Were Mayor" contest; and Chief John Walker.