Packed Council Chamber Recognizes BMS Champs
By Jeff Toquinto on November 19, 2024
For about half of Monday’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, it was standing room only. And for good reason.
Parents, students, and others were hand to see the Bridgeport Middle School volleyball and girls’ cross country team honored for winning Mid-Mountain 10 Conference Championships this year.
The recognition of the titles by Council was among several presentations and agenda items at a busy Bridgeport City Council meeting. The teams came up individually with their coaches and had their accomplishments for the season read aloud.
The volleyball team was first to come before Council. The team finished the season at 22-3. The club swept its way through the
conference championship.
conference championship.
Team members include Alex Alvarez, Addison Daugherty, Rowyn Harris, Annie Veigel, Liliana Harris, Salma Rajjoub, Omara Tucker, Caroline Ashcom, Natalie Ward, Ava Holepit, Amelia Henderson, Ava Sweeney, Gianna Bearden, Avery Osbourn, Leia Manantan, Lily Dahl, Aliyah Keys, Hallie Wolfe, Brooke White, and Keyli Moran. The manager for the squad is Addison Osbourn and the coach is Brandy Marple.
As for the team title in cross country, it was a youthful group of three 8th graders, seven 7th graders, and four 6th graders. The team managed five first place finishes in nine meets, including the Harrison County and Mid-Mountain 10 titles.
Team members include Elliana Cross, Rosie Ferguson, Iris Hinkle, Jocelyn Kocher, Gemma Bonnell, Riley Cheatham, Evelyn Jarvis, Rylan Mayle, Annalee McGee, Olivia McBrayer, Brooklyn Wilson, Aria Selario, Isla Tobrey, and Chloe Witt. The coach is Meghan Flesher.
Along with recognizing the Bridgeport Middle School teams, the distinguished honor of an employee service award was presented to Fire 
Chief Phil Hart. Hart was recognized for 35 years of service to the city.
Chief Phil Hart. Hart was recognized for 35 years of service to the city.
Hart started as a firefighter/EMT before adding paramedic to his credentials. Eventually he would work his way through the ranks serving under Kelly Blackwell, Chuck Feathers, and Bob Seucrro – including seven years as the administrative captain. Eventually, former City Manager Kim Haws appointed him as the city’s new chief in 2016.
Another first responder was also recognized with an employee service award. Bridgeport Police Department’s Aaron Lantz was called before Council to be recognized for 10 years of service to the community.
There was also a check presentation from the Ivan’s Smile campaign to the Friends of Bridgeport Recreation. The proceeds benefit the city’s inclusive playground at The Bridge that is currently under construction.
Ivan’s Smile is a fundraising campaign started at Fairmont State University in memory of 7-year-old Ivan Gonzalez. Gonzalez was the standout who played in the Bridgeport division of Challenger League Baseball. He was known for his beautiful smile that melted hearts
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Slightly more than $30,000 was raised, which exceeded the goal of $25,000 that was set. Family members were on hand as the check was presented.
The final item under awards and presentations is a service award from the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. The award went to Harley and Ruth Jeffries for their years of service as special helpers of Santa during Christmas events.
On an expenditure front, Council approved an addition to the current concrete paving program that is essentially done. The Bridgeport Engineering Department identified a trio of roads needing sections of them repaired due to critical issues. The areas of roadway include Broadway Avenue, Olive Street, and Willis Avenue.
Roughly 600 square yards of the roadways – not the entire roadways – will be repaired. The contract for the additional concrete street 
repairs totaled $75,500 and will be done by RDR Utility Services Group, who had the initial contract.
repairs totaled $75,500 and will be done by RDR Utility Services Group, who had the initial contract.
Work could begin at anytime as RDR has told the city they are ready to go. The work, however, is dependent on the weather. With mid-November already at hand that could draw the project out. The good news is that there are not expected to be traffic interruptions as a result of the work.
While there is no unfinished business for Council, there are several items in the new business category. For the second month, Council agreed to hold back-to-back meetings at times differing from the standard second and fourth Monday of each month. Council okayed meetings for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, which is a Monday and Tuesday.
There was also approval of a general fund budget revision. Budget Revision 4 of the current fiscal year will see the city add to the budget for sales of equipment that belonged to the police department and the emergency services department. The revision also saw Council approve adjusting the city manager’s budget to reflect the actual needs now that a new city manager has been hired.
Council’s okay was also given for amendments to the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee by-laws. The committee is a new one for the municipality and the key change involved having members of City Council and the mayor appoint members as opposed to the city manager. New City Manager Patrick Ford championed the change.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Jaclyn Rominger of the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport addressed Council on the upcoming 20th Anniversary of Light Up Night in the city. They are expecting a crowd of greater than 3,000 for the event.
Pastor Steve Elderbrock of the Bridgeport Presbyterian Church gave the invocation.
Editor's Note: Top photo is of the Bridgeport Middle School volleyball team, while the cross country team is in the second photo. In the third image, City Manager Patrick Ford addresses the crowd, while Jacklyn Rominger of the ABB talks about this year's Late Up Night in the bottom photo.
