To say that Randy Spellman knows a thing or two about the growth of Bridgeport would be shortchanging the other few thousand things he knows. Since his arrival more than 30 years ago, Spellman has watched – and been involved – in a massive growth process.

 

For those thinking it’s hyperbole that’s fine. However, when Spellman started working for Bridgeport in 1984 after a short stint working for the City of Clarksburg, this community was still considered a bedroom community. Bridgeport’s biggest news on the economic development and business front was the opening of the Meadowbrook Mall.

 

“It’s changed a lot since I first started and it really was a bedroom community,” said Spellman. “That’s changed tremendously.”

 

One other thing will change on Dec. 28. At that time, the longest-serving employee at the Bridgeport Municipal Complex and the second longest serving employee in the city (librarian Sharon Saye is the longest and remains working at the library) will officially say goodbye to Bridgeport.

 

The farewell will end a run of more than 35 years in government services. It will end a run of 34 years and four months in Bridgeport.

 

“I actually started working in 1983 for the City of Clarksburg in the general finance department under Frank Ferrari,” said Spellman.

 

Two things changed Spellman’s direction. One was an ad he saw for a position in the City of Bridgeport and the other was the money that came with the position when offered. In 1984, Spellman headed east for employment and hasn’t left.

 

“The job was for an assistant payroll clerk and the pay increase was 50 percent more than what I was making. That was a big reason for the move and it’s worked out pretty well,” said Spellman. “That was a long time ago. I’ve told people I have basically grew up with Bridgeport.”

 

Spellman wasn’t in his first job for long; four maybe five months. He then took over a new position of B&O tax auditor, which basically collected delinquent taxes throughout the city. Spellman was in that capacity for almost 18 months when then Mayor Edgar “Bud” Hess offered up a job in the city administration department, which was prior to the city manager format of government that exists today.

In 1986, Spellman officially became the project and zoning coordinator for the mayor. By 1987, building codes were added to the city and Spellman was given those duties as well. The roles became primarily on the development front from that point forward and included titles and responsibilities such as planning and building manager, developing the building and upgrading of zoning to meet current standards.

 

“I remember working with Region VI to get a grant and then work with Thrasher to create a zoning map,” said Spellman. “Sometime along those years I assumed the role of director of community development and have done that with changing responsibilities for the last 20 years.”

 

In the last 20 years, Spellman has officially permitted tons of work – literally. In fact, when asked if he could total the permits during his time as Bridgeport Community Development Director, he came back with a staggering number.

 

“I have permitted over $980 million of development since I’ve held this position, which is the number for every building since 1987,” Spellman said. “That’s a number I’m proud of, but I also know that $365 million of that was for the new (United Hospital Center).

 

“I’d be curious to see if you took me out of the equation from, say, 1984 or maybe back to 1987, and see if the city would still be the same without me working here,” said Spellman. “Not for any reason other than to see if I made a difference. I hope that I did and I know I tried my best to make a difference.”

 

Making the decision to leave wasn’t easy. He said with his years of service to the city and the option to leave in place, the decision – like the one that brought him here decades ago – was largely a financial one.

 

“I talked with people that understand things of this nature and they let me know that it would make good business sense, but it didn’t make the decision any less difficult to make,” he said. “It’s tough to leave when you’ve invested 34-plus years into a place. I just feel it’s time for new opportunities and new goals and to get reenergized.”

 

Spellman will be taking his energy and experience to work with the developers who are currently and have been doing work on Meadowbrook Road at the residential Meadow Creek development.

 

“The owner of that subdivision has property in different states and I’ll be taking a management position in January so I’ll be going straight from the city into a second career,” said Spellman. “I’m excited for it and looking forward to this next chapter and looking forward to working with them to continue to grow.”

 

Spellman said there’s been many good things he recalls, including working and developing a strong relationship with the Cafaro family from Youngstown, Ohio. That is the family that owns the Meadowbrook Mall, which has served as a retail hub and B&O tax base on that front for more than three decades.

 

“They’re a great family with an interest in Bridgeport and along the way I was able to work with many people like the Cafaros who were looking to do business here in the city and in the process do good for the city as well,” said Spellman.

 

There are lots of memories. Spellman has worked for multiple mayors, both of the city managers, and in three different city buildings and multiple Bridgeport City Councils. The one thing, however, that sticks out in his find is his time with the late Mayor Carl Furbee.

 

“I really hope people understand how his vision created what you have here in Bridgeport. Carl Furbee years ago was adamant about getting EDA grants and whatever was needed to get infrastructure into the areas that now have the hospital, White Oaks, UHC and the FBI,” said Spellman. “I got to work with him in helping make that happen.

 

“At that time there was nothing but meadows out there and some of the property, like that owned by Red Pierson, had cattle on it so it would have been hard to imagine what could be. He saw it,” said Spellman. “He told me he wouldn’t live to see this all developed, but he told me he was certain I would. He was right and, to this day, that stands out to me as so very significant.”

 

Spellman said Furbee was so good at the infrastructure and getting property into the city he do whatever was needed and wherever it was needed. One property owner along Interstate 79 wanted a guarantee from the city, on city letterhead with Spellman’s signature, that sewage would go the property.

 

“Mayor Furbee took that letter and made it happen. He met the individual at Hardee’s because that’s where the man wanted to meet,” said Spellman. “Mayor Furbee was like so many great mayors and council members that have helped get the city to where it’s at.”

 

As Spellman departs, he’s hopeful that he’s left behind a good body of work that has the city “where it’s at” today.

 

“I think anyone wants to say they left a place in better shape that when they got there,” he said. “I truly hope that will be the case.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos show Randy Spellman working at or being invovled with several city board including the Planning Commission, Development Authority and at City Council. Bottom picture is Spellman at his desk this past week.