Amidst the attention that surrounded Tuesday’s evening’s race for Bridgeport’s mayor, there was also a battle for three seats on City Council. And those three seats will be manned by individuals who’ve been there before.

 

Incumbent Council members Dustin Vincent and John Wilson, along with current Mayor Robert “Bob” Greer who opted to run for a Council seat, were all elected to serve a four-year term on the city’s governing body. The term officially begins July 1.

 

Vincent won his second term as a Council member. He led the ticket with 1,335 votes.

 

“I appreciate the support from the community. We want to continue the work that’s been already and I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent everyone in Bridgeport to making the city the best it can be,” said Vincent.

 

Vincent is a long-time advocate of recreational activities. Because of that, he’s been in the forefront of those involved on the new indoor recreation complex and planning of it. He said his key point of emphasis early in this term will be on the complex and having it come to fruition.

 

“I’ll continue to keep the focus on the recreation sports facility. We put forth a schedule almost a year and a half to two years ago to keep it on track and, right now, we’re still on track,” said Vincent. “It’s a large project for the community and visitors and it’s important to make sure everything is done and planned correctly as the impact could be huge for the city.”

 

Greer, who has previously served on Council and City Recorder, opted for a run back at Council. Due to his business schedule and the demands of the mayor, he felt he was best served to run for Council. And things ended up working out for him Tuesday.

 

“I’m honored, humbled and flattered to be re-elected to City Council for a third term,” said Greer. “ … I’m confident that Bridgeport will be fine not matter who gets elected, in any election, because we always come together and work together. That’s what being a member of Bridgeport City Council is about.”

 

With double digits of years in service on the city’s governing body, Greer has seen many issues come before Council. And he’s watched the arrival of the drug epidemic that has gripped the entire area.

 

“We have to stay on top of the drug addiction issue. It’s still here and it isn’t going away so that has to have attention, which I think we all can agree on,” said Greer, who finished with 1,175 votes.

 

For Wilson, it marks his third term on Council. He was elected with 1,120 votes and was pleased with the tone of the election.

 

“When you compare the Bridgeport election to those at the national and state level, it was very clean from the mayor’s race to the Council race,” said Wilson. “There wasn’t mudslinging and people ran on their own platform and didn’t criticize others.”

 

Wilson said he’s most pleased with how the quality of life continues to improve in Bridgeport. However, he said Council and the community can’t be “lulled to sleep” on issues while enjoying that enhanced quality of life.

 

“There are still a lot of problems with crime and the drug epidemic,” said Greer. “We need to pay attention to this and the community needs to do their part by locking their car doors and locking their homes and garage doors up at night. We need to address this in many ways, including common sense.”

 

Wilson said his priorities will remain the same as the first two terms. He said he’ll focus on fiscal responsibility and public safety.

 

“Those are two items mandated and a statute created that are required of any city council,” said Wilson.

 

Editor's Note: Picture are, from top to bottom, Dustin Vincent, Robert Greer and John Wilson.