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Bessemer City
Jo-D Franklin
Age: 40
Family: Wife, Melissa, daughter Gabby
Community involvement: Volunteer football coach for the B.C. Optimist Club
Job: Bessemer City Parks and Recreation Director
Has lived in town since: 1967
I live here because ... I have lived here pretty much all my life. I chose to return to Bessemer City after college because of my family, my friends and the community.
My hometown is special because ... the community seems to have a genuine interest in each other, no matter your age, race, gender, or religion. As you walk down the sidewalks of town, everyone you pass will speak to you, and as you drive down the street most everyone you pass will wave.
My favorite thing about my town is ... location, location, location — 25 minutes to Charlotte, 1.5 hour to the mountains, four hours to the beach. And I have to mention 2 minutes to the Bessemer City Pool/Water Park.
If I ever left, the thing I'd miss most is ... the people. From the toddlers to the senior citizens I am in contact with every day.
The future of my town is ... growing and gaining respect in Gaston County. We have a city council that has been very progressive to make sure that Bessemer City strives rather than survives.
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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