For the second time in two days, there’s been an individual file to run for a seat on Bridgeport City Council. And for the second time in two days it involves an incumbent who will be seeking a different position on the city’s governing body.

 

This morning, Council member Diana Marra announced she would be seeking another four-year term as an elected Bridgeport official. This time, however, Marra is seeking the position of mayor.

 

Marra’s filing comes a day after current Bridgeport Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer announced he would not be seeking re-election for that position. Instead, Greer will be looking to serve on City Council instead as there are three seats up, including the one Marra currently fills. Marra is the first person to file for mayor.

 

“I have the time and opportunity for increased involvement that the position requires,” said Marra. Greer cited time concerns as a reason he did not look to hold down the mayor’s spot for another four years.

 

Marra is completing her second term on Council. She said she is hopeful the residents of Bridgeport will give her a chance to serve four more years in another capacity.

 

“I am excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Bridgeport. Having served two terms on City Council, I believe that I have gained valuable experience necessary to successfully perform the duties of the mayor’s office,” said Marra. “We are fortunate to have great employees, administration and staff at the City of Bridgeport as well as City Council members who are dedicated to do what is best for our citizens. If I have the privilege of being elected Mayor by our citizens in June, I will continue to strive as I have for the last seven and a half years to make Bridgeport a preferred place to live, work and play.”

 

Marra said there are multiple things she is proud of seeing take place during her time on the city’s governing body. However, she said it is one very simple thing – a thing that allows for many other issues to be addressed – that she’s most pleased with seeing take place.

 

“I’m most proud of the outstanding financial management that’s in place and sticking to the policies that pervious Councils have set for the last seven and a half years,” said Marra. “We’ve used those policies of being fiscally conservative and it has served the city and our residents well.”

 

The policy she talks about is the Council, which has been blessed with steady development for well over a decade, has made it a norm to take the business and occupation tax dollars and use those dollars for projects and purchases that don’t require an ongoing commitment of city funding.

 

“Those B&O dollars are one-time dollars and we’ve used them for one-time projects and it’s also allowed us to escrow dollars for capital improvements and other capital purchases where financing doesn’t have to take place,” said Marra. “Even during the rare times where we’ve had to finance, we’ve borrowed less and paid off that debt early because of being conservative with the city’s dollars.”

 

Marra said if elected as mayor she would look to keep things move forward and in a proactive manner.

 

“I would work as part of City Council and with our city administration to continue our outstanding fiscal management practices, to deliver high level municipal services, and to proactively plan for sustainability of our established neighborhoods and business districts as well as promote and manage growth,” said Marra.

 

Marra and her husband Robert have one son, Ross.