Tag: Mayor Danny Jones

Topless Protest Planned in Charleston

A topless protest is planned in West Virginia’s capital city despite the mayor’s request to reschedule.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports nearly 200 people have RSVP’d for “Free the Nip Top Freedom Rally” on Facebook. Charleston Mayor Danny Jones asked organizers on Wednesday to protest another day, accusing them of “seeking to parade naked in front of young children,” as local arts nonprofit FestivALL has several kids’ events planned also on Saturday.

Organizers say they’re marching “for topless equality and the normalization of the female body.” They said as parents they respectfully disagree with ways others raise children, but can’t allow their beliefs to prevent families’ enjoyment, and have pushed the original 5 p.m. start to 6:30 p.m., past the children-event’s end.

State law doesn’t prohibit women from exposing their breasts.

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.

Charleston City Council Repeals Handgun Sales Ordinance

Charleston’s City Council has repealed a 1993 ordinance that limited handgun sales in the city.
 
The move is in response to state legislation that prohibits municipalities from having firearm regulations that are greater than those of the state or federal governments.
 

Charleston’s ordinance required a 72-hour waiting period for handgun sales. It also limited handgun sales to one per person per month.
 
Council members repealed the ordinance Monday night after Mayor Danny Jones suspended the rules for a vote.
 
The Legislature approved the state measure during this year’s regular session. The bill also allows people with concealed-carry permits to bring guns to city-owned recreational facilities, including swimming pools and after-school centers.
 
Jones told the council that he hopes Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoes the legislation.

Charleston Mayor Considering In-Home, Business Water Testing

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones is exploring the city taking on testing of hotels and homes, to “prove to folks that the water is okay if, in fact, it is.”

Jones said he doesn’t know how many samples would be collected because he is awaiting a report from an Ohio-based company that would outline the cost of testing. He didn’t reveal the name of the company. 

Jones also said he isn’t sure what would be done with the proposal but said it will be released publicly. The Charleston City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, March 3.

Although Governor Tomblin and state officials have launched an independent in-home testing campaign through Dr. Andrew Whelton and Corona Environmental Consulting, Jones said more focus needs to be had on Charleston.

“The governor has a big territory to cover and we’ve got Charleston to worry about. Our brand has been butchered worse than anybody’s. We can’t wait,” Jones said. 

“We hope the governor won’t cease from coming in here and doing all of the testing that he wants but, we need to do some of our own testing.”

Jones said the purpose of the testing is to prove to residents and potential tourists that the water is safe and to restore confidence in the safety of the city. 

On a recent personal trip to the west coast, Jones said he learned the outside perspective of Charleston–and West Virginia as a whole–“is not good.”

“They wonder if the water has been poisoned in West Virginia. They don’t differentiate between nine counties and 55 counties. It’s just one state and they’re not too mired down in the details. It’s not good for the state,” he said.

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