Charleston Mayor Danny Jones Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Charleston Mayor No Longer a Registered Republican

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones says he’s left the Republican Party to protest the GOP’s choice of Donald Trump as well as its “obsession” with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The release says Jones plans to complete his current term, then won’t run for office again.

“For the first time in my life, I cannot support the Republican nominee for president,” Jones told the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

He said the “obsession of the West Virginia House of Delegates’ leadership with the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act” was another reason he’s leaving. Several gay rights groups opposed the bill as discriminatory.

“The fact that the House speaker came down to the floor to talk, not about the budget which is in crisis, he came down to talk about RFRA,” Jones said. “I’m basically a city guy, and I believe live and let live and stay out of each other’s bedroom.”

Jones says he plans to vote for Libertarian Gary Johnson for president.

Charleston Council Passes Smoking Ban in All City Parks

Against the recommendation of its mayor, the Charleston City Council has passed a resolution banning smoking in all city parks and playgrounds.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Mayor Danny Jones cast the lone dissenting vote Monday. Jones says enforcing the new policy will be nearly impossible.

Parks and Recreation Chairwoman Susie Salisbury says the ban won’t take effect at individual parks and playgrounds until new signs are in place to inform the public of the ban.

A person caught smoking in a city park will receive a verbal warning to put out the cigarette. If a person refuses to extinguish the cigarette, he or she can be asked to leave. If the person refuses to leave, the police may get involved and the person could face a trespassing charge.

Judges Dismiss Petition Seeking Removal of Charleston Mayor

A petition seeking Charleston Mayor Danny Jones’ removal from office has been dismissed.

Multiple media outlets report that a three-judge panel found the petition lacked the required number of valid signatures.

Former mayoral candidate Janet “JT” Thompson filed the petition. She alleged misconduct in office and neglect of Jones’ mayoral duties.

The judicial panel issued its decision on Monday following a hearing.

Thompson told WCHS-TV that the matter isn’t over. Jones didn’t attend the hearing.

Petition Calls for Charleston Mayor's Removal from Office

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has appointed a three judge panel to hear a petition to remove Charleston Mayor Danny Jones from office.

The petition, filed by former Charleston Mayoral candidate J.T. Thompson, says Jones committed “misconduct in office, malfeasance in office, gross immorality, neglected his duties as Mayor” and is an “incompetent person” as defined by West Virginia Code.

The petition accuses Jones of being negligent in his duties and wasting public funds by continuing to employ City Clerk James Reishman and City Attorney Paul Ellis, both of whom the petition claims violated election laws.

The petition goes on to say, among other charges, Jones has illegally received more than $1 million in compensation during his tenure as Mayor from 2003 to 2014. The city charter states the Mayor may not be paid more than $5,000, according to the petition, and no public action has been taken to amend the charter.

Signed by 25 Charleston residents, the petition’s filer, Thompson, has contested election results twice in her history of running for political office. The Charleston Gazette reports Thompson claimed election violations after losing the Democratic primary race for Mayor earlier this year and filed a similar petition in 2010 after a loss in the General Election to Jones.

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has appointed Judges Paul Farrell, Darrell Pratt and Phillip Stowers to a panel to hear the petition. Jones has been ordered to file a written response to the petition by July 27. The panel will convene August 24 and 25.

Mayor Seeks Clarification on Gun Bill

Charleston’s mayor wants clarity on whether a new state law can let people bring guns into city recreational centers that offer youth educational programs and school sports.

Mayor Danny Jones filed the complaint Wednesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

In the law, cities can’t prevent people with concealed carry permits from bringing guns into city recreational facilities, like swimming pools, tennis courts or after-school centers. Guns would need to be stored securely out of view and access to others.

Jones’ complaint says it’s a felony to bring guns on school grounds, and school-related sports and educational activities occur at city rec centers. The complaint argues guns shouldn’t be allowed in other city recreational centers unless lockers are available to store them.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the gun bill Tuesday.

Governor Signs Gun Bill Opposed By Charleston Mayor

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has signed a bill that makes municipal gun ordinances uniform around the state. The legislation was met with harsh opposition by Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, who expressed concerns over some of the bill’s provisions.

The law allows those with concealed-carry permits to bring guns into municipally-owned recreational facilities, but requires them to store guns securely out of view and access to others. However, guns could be brought to venues where children might be present, such as some after-school programs.

“This evening, I signed Senate Bill 317 because I support our Second Amendment rights, and I also see the need for uniform and consistent gun laws throughout the state. I believe this legislation will give municipalities clarity for regulating firearms in their facilities,” Tomblin said in a statement released Tuesday.

Senate President Jeff Kessler, the bill’s lead sponsor, mimicked those thoughts in a release Wednesday, saying he thinks it’s better for the state to have consistent gun codes.

“In last year’s Home Rule legislation, there were restrictions implemented on having any gun ordinances for cities participating in the Home Rule Pilot Program, which was designed to give local officials more control,” he said.

“SB 317 takes firearms completely out of the Home Rule process and, instead, requires all municipalities to follow state and federal gun laws.”

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones expressed concerns after the legislative session over the provision in Senate Bill 317 that allows guns in municipally-owned recreational centers.

“One of those rec centers is associated with Kanawha County schools and if you carry a gun onto school property, it’s a felony,” Jones told West Virginia Public Broadcasting on March 11.

“I’m wondering if legally if they can even do this. So, we’re ready to go to court and we’re ready to do whatever we can do to challenge this and to put a stop to this,” he said in the same interview.

The Charleston City Council last week repealed a 1993 ordinance that limited handgun sales in the city in an attempt to convince Gov. Tomblin to veto the bill.

In the statement Gov. Tomblin released Tuesday, he acknowledged Jones’ outspokenness on the issue.

“I understand the concern of those who have voiced opinions about challenges within the bill related to municipally-owned recreational centers. I will continue to work with local and state officials to address those concerns,” Tomblin said.

The bill overwhelmingly passed both chambers of the state legislature.