By Sherri Blevins
On Monday, October 25, 2021, the Bridgeport City Council met. Steve Ross of Bridgeport requested that 40 acres of his agricultural land be taken out of the City Limits while keeping his home within the City Limits. The Council granted his request.
Mayor Hughes invited a representative from the Focus Group of Bridgeport to speak to the Council. He stated, “Two years ago, the Magistrate of Bridgeport contacted me on behalf of the Council and asked me to begin a self-help meeting for addicts because there is not anything else around here for them. We have been going for two years strong now. It is starting to get cold, and we don’t have a place to meet. We were over here at the fire hall and had to leave because of COVID. We want to be able to continue to help the people here. Y’all know how I was. I was so far gone in drug addiction that I had no other choice but to get help. Once I got the help I needed, I turned my life around. Every single person in this town that is suffering from drug addiction can turn their lives around. They just need a little help. Tonight, I am asking for a little help from y’all. I can donate my time if needed. We just need a place to go.”
The Council agreed to let the group meet in one of the City buildings every Monday night from 6:00 until 8:00 as long as they clean the building after each use. One of the Council members complimented the group on how clean they kept the fire hall when they used it and assured everybody that they would keep any area they used clean.
The Council also approved the following items:
• Renewal contract with RDS to collect City taxes
• $1,000.00 sponsorship for Christmas Charities
• Termination of George White
The Council discussed several other items. First, Mayor Hughes called for a work session to discuss employee raises. Then the Council agreed that going forward, those organizations requesting sponsorships should come to the Council meetings and make their requests in person. They are happy to donate to worthy causes but would appreciate meeting those making the requests.
Councilmember Hughes explained that he and City Clerk Teresa Walker attended the 2022 Tennessee River Town Communities announcement. Jackson County was selected to join the group that Bridgeport joined previously. He stated that Walker spoke at the ceremony and did an excellent job representing Bridgeport and explaining the program. Bridgeport is leading the way in putting the Thrive program into practice.
The Council also discussed problems the City has had at the boat dock. Several complaints have been made about disturbances in the area, and the Council agreed the City should respond to calls in the area. One problem the City faces is the boat dock lies just out of the City Limits. Mayor Hughes requested that the City Attorney begin annexing the 65 acres around the City so they can patrol it. He also asked that a sign be posted in the area and for the Bridgeport Police to patrol the area to prevent disturbances.
One other item up for discussion was the Depot roof. It is in desperate need of repairs, so the Mayor requested that the insurance adjustor be called to see if they can repair the roof. The meeting was then adjourned.
The next meeting will be on November 8, 2021.
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