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Bessemer City
Marilyn Best
is a product of Bessemer City schools, but said she needed to venture out after her high school graduation. Her wish took her all the way across the state to East Carolina University, but she soon found herself missing her hometown. After graduating with a degree in clinical laboratory science, Best returned to Bessemer City to raise her family, and serve as a 10-year member of City Council, a Girl Scout troop leader and a lifetime member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
The first thing I tell a visitor about my hometown is: It’s friendly, warm. If I were to take her into one of the cafes and introduce her, everyone would be friendly.
I live here because: When it came time that [my husband and I] decided we wanted to have a family, we couldn’t think of a better place.
What I miss most about my hometown when I’m away: No traffic — we have traffic, but it’s not a headache type of traffic — and a slow lifestyle. I miss walking into a business establishment and having someone call me by my name.
I’m proud of my hometown because: We have seen the problem that Mount Holly and Belmont have had with an explosion of growth from Charlotte, and we’re trying to get ready. We have ordinances in place for Bessemer City, we’re getting new industry and staying ahead of the train rather than behind.
Fast Facts
Incorporated: 1893
Slogan: City with A Heart
Historic sites: Osage plant, Kennedy building and Caleb Mauney grocery, dating back to 1893; Robbins building and Gamble's Hardware, built in 1903.
Famous sons: John A. Smith founded the city and named it after Bessemer iron ore.
Population: 5,337
Tax rate: 41 cents per $100 valuation
City Offices: City Hall, 132 W. Virginia Ave. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Phone: (704) 629-5542. Web site: www.BessemerCity.com
Frequently called numbers
Police: (704) 866-3300
Fire Department: 704 629-5396
Public Works: (704) 629-5398
Recreation: 704 629-5111
Gas: (704) 629-5398
Interim City Manager Allan Farris, (704) 833-0361
City Council
Interim Mayor Marilyn Best: (704) 629-3880
Wayne Massagee: (704) 629-0704
Kay McCathen: (704) 629-3196
Marilyn Best: (704) 629-5110
Howard Jones: (704) 629-3845
Greg Farris: (704) 629-3051
Jim Long: (704) 629-3606
The City Council meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall Facility, 132 W. Virginia Ave.
Trash Service
Trash pickup by contracted service. Current trash pick up is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Recycling
Tryon Recycling Center on N.C. 274, dropoff for newspapers, cardboard, tin and aluminum cans, scrap metal, appliances, tires, waste oil, car batteries, plastic bottles, glass, antifreeze, textiles.
Utilities
Pay water and sewer bills at City Hall, 132 W. Virginia Ave., or call (704) 629-5542 during normal business hours. Duke Power bills can also be paid at City Hall.
Post Office
124 E. Alabama St., (800) 275-8777. Hours: Lobby is open 24 hours a day. Window hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
ABC store
Address: 208 W. Alabama Ave, (704) 629-2271. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Bessemer City Branch Library
Address: 207 N. Twelfth St., (704) 629-3321. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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