Continuing the ongoing sewer improvement project, paving city streets, expanding Bruce Park, and increasing local beautification efforts are all on the agenda of new Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope.
“I definitely want to see this sewer project move forward,” Pope said. “That’s a critical part of our infrastructure that needs to be improved.”
Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope
The $1 million city sewer project has been in the works for nearly two years. Most of the plans have been completed by the engineers, but actual work may not begin until 2014. It will also be that long before the town learns if the $1 million will be in the form of a loan, or if some of those funds will come in a grant.
“I wish we could start the sewer project tomorrow, but unfortunately we can’t,” Pope said.
The paving of city streets is something Mayor Pope hopes to get done sooner than later.
“I want to get some done this year if possible,” he said. “We’ll probably be discussing that at our next board meeting.”
Pope said the city has approximately $1.7 million in reserves, and he would like to use approximately $300,000 on street paving.
“We have several places where if we can just pave a portion of the road, it would have a huge impact,” Pope said. “I want to work with the supervisors on it and try and spread our money as far as we can.”
The city is still waiting to hear on a potential $150,000 grant that would repave South McSweyne from Hwy. 32 to Jimmy Beckley Drive.
“We expect to hear something on that some time this fall,” Pope said.
Bruce Park is another area where Pope has aimed at making improvements.
“I think we have some great programs out there, but I think we can do more,” he said. “I’d love to see a church softball league, to get our adults more active out there. I also think we need a better high school softball field.”
Pope campaigned hard on beautification efforts and said that remains a priority. He’s in the process of forming a beautification committee.
“I hope to start adding some people to that very soon,” Pope said.
In addition to improving basic maintenance for a better appearance, Pope said he wants to look into possible banners promoting the town similar to ones he’s seen in Coffeeville and other places.
“I think it really adds a lot,” Pope said. “I think there are lots of things we can do to make ourselves look a lot better.”
The beautification efforts are also part of his plan to attract more business to the town.
“I want to work on recruiting more businesses,” Pope said. “I’m doing a lot of research right now on what kinds of businesses we can best attract and have meetings set with Three Rivers Planning and Development to help me get started.”
Pope’s plans also include annexation, but he noted he will need more time to study the subject and how it would work best for the town.
“I’m going to look at all our options there,” Pope said. “I definitely think long term it’s something we’re going to need to do. I think it’s important that we improve some of our existing infrastructure before we get too far into that.”
Pope said among the surprises since he took office has been the work required to manage the various relationships within city departments.
“I think it’s important that we’re all on the same page and working toward the same goal of what’s best for the town,” Pope said. “My intention is to make all of us more accountable and better.”
The most positive experience has been how he’s been accepted and the staff in City Hall.
“I can’t say enough about this staff,” Pope said. “I’ve learned they are outstanding.”
With only one board meeting under his belt, Pope said he is still learning the dynamic of working with a board. The new Bruce board has three carry-overs from last term – Johnny Armstrong, John Earl Armstrong and Steve Nelson – and two newcomers – Ellen Shaw and Danny Rodgers.