Bridgeport will have a new mayor in 2017. And that has nothing to do with a prediction that current Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer – who had already confirmed he would be filing to run for an elected position – will fail in his bid to complete a second term.

 

Rather, Greer confirmed today that he is filing for the 2017 election. However, Greer will be filing to run for one of the three seats on City Council. That means the position of mayor, a position Greer was appointed to in September of 2014, will be open.

 

So why not running for the mayor’s post?

 

“As much as I’ve enjoyed my role as mayor and the trust the citizens have put in me, there has been a cost to my family and my business in filling that role. There’s a lot more to being the mayor than just running two Council meetings a month and cutting ribbons for new businesses,” said Greer. “What I’ve decided to do in running for Council is in the best interest of myself, my family, my business and, ultimately, the city. It is now open for someone that serve in the capacity that the position requires.”

 

As mayor, Greer chairs the Bridgeport Utility Board, serves on the North Central West Virginia Airport Authority, the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau board, the Bridgeport Development Authority and represents Bridgeport on the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation and Harrison County Mayors’ Association.

 

“Those are positions the mayor is obligated to either sit on or in some cases to serve as the chair,” said Greer. “There are others that I’m involved with, which I believe are important to the city. I will continue to work on them, or others where a newly elected mayor may assign me as time allows, if I’m fortunate enough to be voted to a Council seat by the resident of the city.”

 

If elected, Greer would also be the next president of the West Virginia Municipal League. Currently, he serves as vice president. Greer said no one from the city has ever been president of the Municipal League.

 

“While that’s important, there are a number of projects I’d like to see continue and help move forward as a member of Council,” said Greer.

 

Greer pointed to work of establishing a Community Drug Prevention Group that he said led to the local establishment of the Drug Free Clubs of America chapter at Bridgeport High School. He also pointed to work on the Bridgeport Indoor Recreation Complex, expanding the high speed internet – Gigaport – throughout Bridgeport and others, including involvement on the Bridgeport Arts Council.

 

Greer was appointed in September of 2014 to replace elected Mayor Mario Blount, who was sentenced to jail. Prior to that, Greer served as the appointed City Recorder from July 1 of 2013 when Blount ran from that position successfully for Mayor. Greer previously had a four-year term on Council.

 

“There are a few things we haven’t done that I would like to do and I’m confident, if elected, that I can help keep the city on the right track and a progressive, forward thinking community and hope the city accepts my choice to run for Council and not for mayor,” said Greer. “Those obligations would often exceed 20 hours a week, which included a lot of travel that went along with work and travel on the professional front.”

 

As for the next mayor, Greer isn’t concerned.

 

“Bridgeport has always drawn quality candidates for the position of mayor and for City Council. I’m confident that will continue,” he said.

 

Greer and his wife Mary Kay are the parents of Joseph, Robert V. and Christopher Greer, as well as Kathryn (Greer) Garrett.

 

The city will hold its election on June 13. The seats up for election, along with Greer’s seat as mayor, include three Council seats held by John Wilson, Diana Marra and Dustin Vincent. All three have confirmed they will run for office in 2017, which could include one of them running for mayor.

 

While the election is in June, the filing period began Monday. The filing period ends Friday, April 14, 2017 at 4 p.m. City Clerk Andrea Kerr said the certificates have to be filed with her office and there is a filing fee of $25.

 

Click HERE for a story on the election that ran Monday of this week with additional details.