T-L Photo/KAILEY CARPINO Bridgeport Rotary members pose with an American flag. They are, from left, Walt Mingroni, Beth Devault, Tim Smith, Gordie Longshaw, Vickie Bland (front), Brandon Vanness (back), Kelley Kotur, Dick Riley, Pam Neal, Betty Riley, Beuna Gargala, Bob Weaver and Richard Myser.

BRIDGEPORT — The Rotary Club of Bridgeport is offering a new flag service for local residents and business owners.

Rotary member Tim Smith explained that the club is selling and installing American flags for anyone who purchases one.

He said the project will be similar to the one in St. Clairsville.

“You see the flags all through there. We’re going to hopefully see them all through here,” Smith said.

The cost for the flag service is $60 per year.

The cost includes installing the flag pole, and the Rotary Club members will put a flag up a few days before Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, 9/11 and Veterans Day. They will take the flags down between holidays and store them until the next holiday.

Smith said the Rotary Club will do all the work of raising, lowering and storing the flags.

The flag poles will be 10 feet tall, and the American-made flags will be 3 feet by 5 feet.

“I think it’s just a good way to show pride in our community and also our government,” Smith said. “I think it’ll be beautiful. I have one at my house.”

Smith said he would like to focus on the downtown area and business district at the beginning of the project, but anyone can purchase a flag. He said he would even install flags at locations outside of Bridgeport. He said he has already talked to people who live in Colerain and Moundsville about placing flags in their yards.

“I think it’s something that’s really going to take off in Bridgeport,” Smith said.

He said many people have already purchased flags and he is overwhelmed by the response.

Smith also said that people, businesses or organizations can also sponsor flags. He said people can sponsor flags with a specific location in mind or for the general downtown area.

“Eventually they’re going to be lined up downtown. We’re going to use the old parking meter poles that were there, and we’re going to put a sleeve inside of it and put a flag there. That way we can have them lined up all over town,” Smith said.

Police Chief John Bumba has already sponsored two flags. He said he would like one of the flags to be placed on Bennett Street near where his father used to live.

During the Bridgeport Village Council meeting on Jan. 16, Smith encouraged village officials to “lead by example” and purchase flags for their properties.

Smith said the club has already placed several flag poles on Howard Street.

The Rotary Club asks that residents inform them of any sprinklers or underground cables before they install the poles.

“According to the American Legion rules on flags, the flag must be partially illuminated. This can be a street light, porch light, light from a sign or an actual light on the flag. The flag cannot touch anything as it waves,” a press release from the Rotary Club states.

“We’re all excited to kick off the project,” Smith said.

“We wanted to make Bridgeport more presentable for our country,” member Gordie Longshaw said.

He said the funding from the project will go toward projects that will support the community.

“The money from this project is money we’ll use for the good of the village,” member Dick Riley said.

Smith said the Rotary Club is working to get three new “Welcome to Bridgeport” signs, and the proceeds from the flag project will help pay for the signs. Smith said each sign will cost about $1,000.

He said the signs will also read “Gateway to the West” and possibly will have a wagon design on them.

“There’ll be one on Marion Street down in the flowerbed. As soon as you come up the ridge, you’ll see it. There’ll be another one on the Brookside line. We still got to work out a few details on how that one will go in if the state agrees,” Smith said.

He said the last sign will be near the police department and municipal building.

Smith said the Rotary Club might create and place more signs in the future.

“I think it’d be great. Almost every town has one, and now we’re going to have one so it’s pretty exciting,” Smith said.

The club is also working to get new garbage cans, picnic tables and benches for the shelter near the ballfield.

The Rotary Club has completed many projects over the years, including building the ballfield and dugout and the shelter.

Anyone interested in purchasing a flag must fill out a form with their name, address, flag location address, phone number and email address. Checks can be made payable to the Rotary Club of Bridgeport and can be mailed to 20 Brookside Ave., Bridgeport, OH 43912.

Forms and checks can also be dropped off at Myser and Myser law firm, located at 320 Howard St., Bridgeport during office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

For more information, call Smith at 740-359-6436 or member Bob Weaver at 740-635-3463.