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City dismisses Halloween havoc  Share
The Halloween holiday is a time that allows children, as well as adults, to try on a different persona with the wearing of face masks and costumes. However, the mischievious persona that sometimes accompanies the season is causing some residents of the city of Bridgeport to voice their grievances. During the monthly meeting of the Bridgeport City Council on Tuesday, one citizen requested that the city enforce its ordinances relating to trespassing and littering especially during the onset of the holiday draping of trees with toilet paper and other mischief. City Police Chief Scott Murray said that if trespassers are witnessed by the police they will be stopped. ''We can't be everywhere at once. We will run people off your property; but, we will not charge them with anything,'' Murray said. Murray continued to say that vandalism, such as the use of soap or spray paint, would be met with more serious consequences. However, he dismissed ''T.P.ing'' as harmless and the paper as biodegradable. ''Paper is littering,'' the resident responded. ''I don't think you should encourage them to do it. I think you're sending them the wrong message,'' he continued. The resident also pointed out that he was the one paying the mortgage on the property, the insurance, and city taxes. Trick-or-treat hours for the city were set for Saturday, Oct. 31 from 6 - 9 p.m. The annual Halloween celebration at Lanterman Park is still in its planning stages. The Bridgeport Fire Protection District traditionally has a haunted house and prepares free hot dogs for attendees. In a related matter to the park, Brad Purcell made a request to the city for support in raising money for improvements to the park pavilion. The city approved a donation of $500. Mayor Max Schauf also generously contributed $500 from his business, AMS Tools.
Purcell said that a local philanthropist had pledged to match the first $5,000 (for a total of $10,000) towards the estimated total of $23,000 to install heating and air-conditioning, interior restrooms, and purchase new tables and chairs. Currently, the rental fee for the building is $35. The city pays utility charges and takes care of interior maintenance. The city also donated $10,000 for the replacement of the roof. ''I think its important to get people in there to see what we do have,'' Purcell said. In other business, the council: - approved a bid of $8,000 by Bill Painter's hauling service to fill the hole left by the tearing down of Seed School. - approved the payment of $1,750 to J & J Tree Service (Jamie Price) for cutting down trees in the city. - approved the payment of city bills with the exception of a $54,000 bill from J & J Pipe Supply for the waterworks project. - approved the budget appropriation ordinance, 4-2. Darlene Arnold cast a 'no' vote. Ladora ''Buttons'' Laughlin abstained from voting. - approved the assessment of taxes ordinance, 4-2. Arnold and Laughlin both abstained from voting. - rescinded the water rate increase for those residing outside of city limits. - approved a donation of $400 for the gold sponsorship of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Basketball Capital Classic. - gave Mayor Schauf the go-ahead to seek prices on a four-wheel drive, half-ton pickup truck for the city. Barbara E. Allender is editor of the Bridgeport Leader.
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