A special guest, Father Benedict E. Kapa of All Saints Catholic Church opened last night’s Bridgeport City Council meeting with prayer after which, as always, Council and audience members shared in pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag.

 

The governing body then delved into the business portion of the meeting, which Mayor Robert Greer kicked off by providing his regular report.

 

“It’s always intriguing what matters come your way in any given two-week period of time,” he said. “I was fortunate just two Fridays ago to cut not one, not two, but three ribbons on new businesses – two of which were banks within a quarter mile of each other in the White Oaks area.”

 

It’s amazing to see the city’s ongoing development, said Greer, adding that he tied the city’s growth into his welcome speech at the recent West Virginia Economic Development Conference, hosted by the city and held at Bridgeport Conference Center.  

 

City Manager Kim Haws’ report followed. He started by bringing light to the city’s preparedness plan which has been in effect for the last three to four years. In an effort to prevent the program from getting stagnant and to more successfully impact the level of preparedness among community members, Haws said a designated group came up with a new element.

 

“We decided to host quarterly workshops and held our first one Sept. 19,” Haws said. “We did some actual canning at Bridgeport High School, including some dry canning of rice.”

 

Twenty-five people went through the program and organizers felt it was very successful.

 

“We intend to continue the programs,” Haws said. “Our next workshop will be on dehydration and it will take place Nov. 7 again at the Bridgeport High School kitchen.”

 

Haws also announced that the city is hosting a small business social media workshop Oct. 14 at Bridgeport City Hall and the fourth Shred-It Day Oct. 17. Both events ware being organized by City Clerk Andrea Kerr.

 

Haws also made mention of the city’s water meter system.  Over a number of years, the city has been in the process of changing out TouchRead meters with radio read meters, reducing the need for manpower and increasing efficiency, he said.

 

As some of those replacements took place in the midst of a billing cycle, some residents may notice an irregular balance on their water bills, but by the next billing period, charges will balance out, Haws said.

 

Haws also said that the installation of handrails along the new Johnson Avenue sidewalk should be completed by week’s end.

 

During the public comment portion of last night’s meeting, resident Tom Rhine and Kristen Queen made a presentation to City Council in connection with the Second Annual United Way of Harrison County Cardboard Boat Race, held Sept. 13 at Deegan Lake.

 

“We had a blast and wanted to thank the fire department and emergency rescue squad. I think they had as much fun as we did,” Rhine said.

 

As a lasting reminder of the important role which the city played in the cardboard boat race, Rhine and Queen – on behalf of United Way – presented City Council with a trophy.

 

Rhine said his neighbor – who recently moved to Bridgeport from Texas – adequately summed up what Bridgeport is all about.

 

“Not a week goes by that he doesn’t come visit me and say that this is the greatest place to live – this little old town of Bridgeport, West Virginia,” Rhine said.

 

It’s the schools, the quality of education, the athletic opportunity, the infrastructure, the economy and more, Rhine said.

 

“I could go on and on and on top of all those things there’s something that can’t be seen with the eye and that’s caring and compassion,” he said. “I encourage council to always be mindful of the very least among us.”

 

Rhine and Queen, who was accompanied by United Way Executive Director Marie Battles, left with Council and all of those in attendance with brochures about this year’s fundraising campaign, which kicked off Sept. 13 in conjunction with the cardboard boat race.

 

Council then voted to appoint Dan Ferrell to the Bridgeport Library Board.

 

Councilman Harry M. "Hank" Murray III said he looks forward to Ferrell’s service and Ferrell, who attended Monday night’s meeting, said he looks forward to serving the community.

 

Also last night, Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Michelle Duez reported to Council on activity of the GBCVB.

 

“We’ve been busy helping folks here and abroad,” Duez said. “On a day to day basis, we get requests and do our best to facilitate visits to our community.”

 

From conference planning to the hosting of out-of-state collegiate athletic teams, Duez has been involved in a number of diverse projects, all aimed at bringing individuals to Bridgeport to sleep, eat, shop and thereby stimulate the local economy, she said.

 

Read all about Duez’s report to Council in an upcoming article to be posted soon to Connect-Bridgeport. 

 

With no other business or budget revisions, Council adjourned and thereafter reconvened in executive session. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from above are Greer and Murray; Rhine and Queen presenting trophy of support to Council; Council members Dustin Vincent and Jeff Smell and Greater Bridgeport CVB Executive Director Michelle Duez.