THE DEMOLITION of the Bellaire Toll Bridge has been some two decades in coming. Many thought it would never happen.

Those efforts to bring down the All-American Town landmark took on new life several weeks back, thanks to a reality television show. Now all that appears to be standing in the way for the bridge’s removal is the proper dispensing of all the paperwork involved with the project.

That being the case, the Bellaire Chamber of Commerce, at Thursday’s monthly meeting, tossed around a unique idea. Chamber members discussed the possibility of holding a mini-festival on the fateful day.

It was thought that the village parking lot — located within a chip shot of the crumbling span — would be an ideal venue to get an up close and personal look at the demolition.

The plan took on added legs when it was proposed that musical entertainment could be booked and various booths could be featured, making it a full-fledged fundraiser.

The biggest problem is pinning down the specific date the demolition will be held, enabling proper time to put the event together.

Such creativity could prove entertaining and profitable.

IN OTHER chamber news, Saturday, Nov. 27 has been selected as the date for the village’s Christmas parade. Members also suggested the village install traffic signs at all intersections in the downtown area.

Secretary Nancy Andriano announced that Bellaire Carryout & Wine and Chase Bank have become the latest chamber members, that brings membership to a robust 80.

FERRY CHAMBER

THE MARTINS Ferry Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting Tuesday with an eye on the upcoming Sky Show. The annual fireworks spectacular will be staged Friday, July 2. It will mark the second year it has been held at the new school complex.

Chamber Executive Director Dorothy Powell said the relocation to the top of the hill was a tremendous move, as the new venue provides much more room to hold spectators. This year’s 20th anniversary show will feature entertainment by the Fabulous Bender Boys. Shuttle service will be offered to the public from 7-9 p.m. while additional port-a-jons will be on the site.

The Sky Show is sponsored by the chamber, the Times Leader, Citizens Bank and East Ohio Regional Hospital.

The chamber heard a recap of last week’s Great Race Soap Box Derby. Officials said the derby was well received and came off without a hitch, as 55 cars were in the field.

BUBBA’S BITS

OHIO 149 in Bellaire will shut down for a three-work period beginning Monday. The work should help finalize the project which has made commute from Ohio 7 west much easier.

DONNIE GILLIS is Bishop Donahue’s new head girls’ basketball coach. He replaces Paige Williams who has joined Dave Reasbeck’s staff at Martins Ferry. Gillis is a former athletic director and head baseball coach at St. John Central.

FORMER DOVER High athletic great Perci Garner was picked in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies last week. He was a pitcher at Ball State. Garner was a star quarterback for Dover but gave up football at Ball State as he got no higher than third on the QB depth chart for the Cardinals.

NEBRASKA IS a great addition for the Big Ten. The conference can now split into two divisions if it wishes, setting the table for a cash cow of a championship game.

WVU LANDED an excellent successor for athletic director Ed Pastilong. Former Mountaineer quarterback Oliver Luck will replace the Moundsville native. WVU would be luckier if Oliver could bring son, Andrew, with him to Morgantown, as the younger Luck is a Heisman Trophy candidate at Stanford.

FORMER WHEELING Central all-state basketball player Ricky Yahn has been named an assistant coach at Cornell. Yahn had been serving as video coordinator at George Mason. After his Maroon Knight days, Yahn went on to play at Wheeling Jesuit University and later professionally in England.

BP OIL Wednesday pledged $20 billion for victims of the Gulf Coast oil spill. The company needs to ante up more. That $20B figure is a normal one year’s profit for BP. The Gulf fiasco is still playing and the total extent of the damage is far from being determined. BP’s $20B commitment pales in comparison to what will be eventually needed to restore — if possible at all — the Gulf Coast to normalcy.

OUR?CONGRATULATIONS go out to Dave Bruney. He is a Hall of Famer in every sense of the term.

TO DADS everywhere, Happy Father’s Day!.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleader online.com