After a lengthy discussion in work session, City Council voted unanimously to reject a proposed amendment to the Police Civil Service Commission regulations. Proposed by said commission – Shawn Morgan, James Gray and Brian Kemmerer – the proposed amendments deal with retirement of law enforcement members and rights to receive and acquire his or her standard uniform, badge and service weapons.  

 

In the form it was sent to Council, Mayor Andy Lang said Council didn’t feel it addressed all retirement scenarios or line up with state law.

 

“We decided to reject it, yet we are very open to working with the Police Civil Service Commission to get some form of language which we can all agree upon,” he said. “They worked really hard to get this to us, but we didn’t have a lot of time to digest it. Now that we understand what we’re up against, we can work on it.”  

 

The proposed amendment was submitted on Nov. 22 with Council having 20 days to act upon it.

 

Lang said there is a gray area in the regulation and that amendment is necessary.

 

“We’re trying to look not only at today, but at the next 20 years,” he said. “For all the officers we have now and in the future, we want to have a very explicit definition of what ‘retired’ is and obligations when it comes to keeping their gun, badge and uniform.”

 

 Commissioner Shawn Morgan addressed Council about the decision made.

 

“As the commission’s representative for the Fraternal Order of Police, this is something members of the police department felt strongly about; wanting to make sure when they retire honorably with more than 20 years of service, they are afforded their rights under state code that was denied recently to a longtime valued member of the police department,” she said. “The commission felt so strongly about it, there was an order regarding it and the Circuit Court denied jurisdiction to weigh in on that issue and directed that those materials be provided to that officer who left after working here honorably for 20 years. The Circuit judge did say it was within the perimeters of the Police Civil Service Commission to draft a proposal for consideration by Council that would insure appropriate guidance for the Chief of Police, City Manager, etc.”

 

Morgan said it was disappointing to her that there was not favorable action taken at Monday’s meeting. She also said she welcomed opportunity for the Commission to attend a future Council work session and work with Council on language that would be agreeable.

 

Lang said Council would be agreeable to that action which will be scheduled for a meeting after the first of the year.

Monday night’s meeting also featured a report by Fire Chief Phil Hart regarding an early-morning house fire which occurred Nov. 13 on Lawman Avenue. Hart wanted to express appreciation to a city resident, Chris DelGreco, who - while out walking his dog - noticed the fire. He not only made the 911 call, but also assisted a crew of six firefighters.

 

“Chris DelGreco alerted the fire department, but his actions didn’t stop there,” Hart said. “He didn’t notice anyone outside the house or any lights on and since there were three vehicles in the driveway, he immediately woke the people up and got them outside to safety, then started to extinguish the fire until our city fire department arrived.”

 

A perk of having a paid fire department, Hart said, is that there was a very prompt response and that the fire was extinguished with minimum damage to the structure.

 

“If it had not been for the actions of Chris notifying us that fire was burning up the side of the structure, it would have definitely gotten into the attic and led to significant damage and injuries, if not fatalities,” Hart said. “The residents were elderly and the cause of the fire was an outside pet shelter in which they wanted to keep a stray cat warm and had placed an electric heater in. The temperatures got cold, the heater kicked on and started the fire.”

 

It was important to the firefighting crew – all who attended Monday’s meeting – to recognize DelGrego, who had been invited to the meeting, but did not attend.

 

Police Chief John Walker also took the floor to report to Council on his department’s first observance of “No Shave November.”

 

“We raised money for the WVU Betty Puskar Breast Care Center. We appreciate the work they do throughout the entire county,” Walker said. “We raised $670 and next year, we are going for more. In its first year, our program was very successful and our officers enjoyed it. (City Manager) Mr. (Randy) Wetmore got involved and took part. We appreciate his support and that of Council.”

 

Another item of business which Council addressed was action regarding a façade improvement grant as recommended by the Bridgeport Development Authority. Council determined that Conservation Iron, LLC – located on Thompson Drive, in the former Bridgeport City Hall building – met all requirements for the grant and it was unanimously approved.

 

Prior to delving into reports and business, Council recognized Bridgeport Youth Football PeeWee White team for capturing the Mountaineer Youth Football Conference championship. Mayor Lang read and presented the proclamation. See video below.

 

Mention was made of the Dec. 14 Wreaths Across America ceremony set for noon at Bridgeport Cemetery. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend.

 

Councilman John Wilson once again urged all dog walkers, runners and others taking to city streets after dark to please wear reflective clothing and/or carry a flashlight for his or her own safety and that of motorists.

 

Monday’s meeting was the last Council meeting for the calendar year. Various Councilmen expressed their appreciation to fellow Council members, Mayor Lang and City Manager Wetmore for their efforts.

 

Councilman Dustin Vincent added that it is weeks like this past one that defines what it means to live in the City of Bridgeport. He made mention of the efforts of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport and city staff who worked to make Thursday’s Light Up Night such an incredible event. He also recognized efforts involved in Saturday’s Christmas parade and the Friday night Bridgeport High School football championship vs. Bluefield at Wheeling Island Stadium.

 

“It was three good community events; events that make us proud to be in this community and I want to thank everyone who were part of that,” Vincent said.

 

Mayor Lang shared that this past football season made 51 winning seasons in a row.

 

“We played 11 times for a state title and won 10 of those – one Class A, two class AAA and seven class AA,” he said. “That’s pretty impressive and we are second with the most wins, next to Parkersburg.”

 

Bridgeport has also accumulated wrestling, swim, tennis, baseball, volleyball, track, cross country, golf and cheer championships and when you include youth and middle school championships, it’s almost too much to keep up with – but a very good problem to have.

 

Lang also pointed out that over the past 10 years, over a half billion dollars was spent on new construction inside city limits, not to mention what took place in the community outside city limits. It’s not about the dollars, but rather the community – a community strong with quality schools, well-attended churches and many other positive elements.

 

The meeting opened in prayer by Pastor Ben Moses of Simpson Creek Baptist Church. Recorder Hank Murray was on excused absence and Councilman Bob Greer was appointed temporary recorder.