Associated Press Published

Fairmont City Council Sends Anti-Discrimination Ordinance to Public Vote

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A West Virginia city’s newly reinstated anti-discrimination ordinance that drew opposition from some residents will be put to a public vote next year.

News outlets report that the Fairmont City Council on Tuesday responded to a petition submitted in November that forced them to reconsider the ordinance by sending the Human Rights Commission Ordinance to a ballot vote in November 2018 instead of holding another public hearing. The ordinance was passed on a 7-2 vote in September.

Mayor Tom Mainella said it was unlikely that any council member would change their vote.

The petition was organized by Keep Fairmont Safe, which opposed the ordinance’s addition of sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Its representative Kandi Nuzum says the group is happy the public gets to decide.