Thread by @JusticeHudson97

The @CityofWheeling held its third #CityCouncil meeting today, Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 5:30 PM. This thread details what I witnessed. I reported on the meeting as a citizen journalist, and I am using @BlackByGodWV @FolkReporters thread guide to compose this!

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First, in my estimation there were roughly 30 people in attendance, including members of the public, city government officials, and media. Apart from myself there was no masking. There appeared to me no COVID-19 safety precautions in place, there was space for some distancing

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3rd Ward Rep. @RosemaryKetchum opened the meeting with a prayer, followed by a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Brenda Delbert called the roll. In attendance were @MayorWheeling, @ViceMayorWhg and 1st Ward Rep. Chad Thalman, 2nd Ward Rep. @benseidler,

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3rd Ward Rep. @RosemaryKetchum, 4th Ward Rep. Jerry Sklavounakis, 5th Ward Rep. @t_thorngate. 6th Ward Rep. Dave Palmer was absent. A quorum was reached. The City Manager Robert Herron was also in attendance to give his report and to answer questions.

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@MayorWheeling delivered a brief mayoral report where he commended Homeless Liaison Melissa Adams for the work she has done, the consensus building going on, and progress being made.

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First on the agenda was an ordinance for consideration, known as the #CrownAct, that would amend and re-enact Article 169 of the Wheeling HRC to add to the definition of "discrimination because of race" protection for "hair textures and protective hairstyles."

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Public comments were opened. First to speak was Darryl, who spoke in support. He pointed to decades long research about the disparity in school discipline rates, particularly for girls of color, based on hairstyles. #CrownAct

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Former West Virginia State Senator Owens Brown also spoke in support, showing a picture of Albert Einstein and saying "look at his hair," and stating the #CrownAct is about “preventing the abuse of power of one individual over another,” specifically men in positions of power.

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Sen. Brown showed a picture of actress Bo Derek from a 1979 film where she is wearing braids. He read part of the lyrics to Five Man Electrical Bands' song "Signs." Sen. Brown asked the council to stand together, either for or against, but not to let this issue divide.

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Two people spoke in opposition of the #CrownAct. One man, John, stated that businesses should have the right to terminate employees and listed types of "bad" employees, saying “individuals who smell like they climbed out of the dumpster” and “...unshaved and crappy haircuts”

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@MayorWheeling spoke indicating, in his opinion, that the #CrownAct had received “a disproportionate amount of attention from some opposed to it,” later saying this isn’t the “boogeyman that many people portray it as.” The ordinance was adopted unanimously, 6-0.

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Second ordinance would authorize the #citymanager Robert Herron, to negotiate the extension of service of “CT Consultants” with the Wheeling Water Pollution Control Division, through 2024, working to improve the city’s wastewater systems. The ordinance was adopted.

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Third ordinance would authorize #citymanager Herron to spend $25,000 for #Police Department Mobile Data Terminals and Drone PC, to be reimbursed by a federal program known as the COPS Technology Program. The ordinance was adopted.

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Council members then gave remarks.

5th Ward Rep. @t_thorngate announced that the next #Ward5 meeting will take place at the Alpha Tavern on Thursday, February 16th.

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@ViceMayorWhg and 1st Ward Rep. Thalman mentioned work being done in #NorthPark by Frontier, and asked employees to keep residents in mind and to assist in damage caused to lawns and personal property during the work.

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3rd Ward Rep. @RosemaryKetchum wished everyone a happy #BlackHistoryMonth. She shared ways to celebrate in @CityofWheeling.#ShowofHands is focusing on black-owned businesses this year. The event is tomorrow, Wednesday, February 8, at the Artisan Center, 6 PM, $5 entry

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Rep. @RosemaryKetchum mentioned Ohio County Public Schools are celebrating #blackhistory with a series of lunches with books. You can visit ohiocountylibrary.org for more information.

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Rep. Ketchum also encouraged residents to attend the local #NAACP meetings, and commented on the fact that the Regional #NAACP President and the State #NAACP President both reside in Wheeling.

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Lastly, @RosemaryKetchum will host an event this Friday, February 10, from 11-1 PM, at the Upper Market House in Center Market. This is an "office hours" type event to meet and answer questions from the public.
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2nd Ward Rep. @benseidler stated that complaints had been made about the condition of properties after demolition. City Manager Herron confirmed the city retains 10% of the contract until all work is completed, including leveling and cleanup.

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@benseidler asked the city manager if pest-control could be done before future demolitions. City Manager Herron stated he would, beginning with a demolition (Asters Oilfield contract). Lots of buildings being demolished right now in Wheeling.

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Rep. @benseidler asked to put in a request to the WVDOT to repaint traffic lines at the intersection of 10th St and Market St, as well as Main St, citing some residents expressing confusion to the current traffic pattern. (Also, please do WV-250 N onramp at 26th st!)

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The City Manager Robert Herron reported the Police Department, Fire Department, and 10th st Parking garage are on schedule. 600 yard continuous pour happening at 10th st Parking garage, will take 20 hours, official date will be announced tomorrow.

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City Manager Delbert also announced that City Clerk Delbert has been promoted to Building and Planning Supervisor, and the Council is accepting resumes for potential replacements. The City Clerk is a council appointed position.

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There were seven original propositions offered. Some ordinances proposed included: $27k in funding for a Conceptual Redevelopment Plan for the Clay School, $112k in ARPA funding to demolish 12 buildings, and the creation of three “Combat Wounded Parking Zones” in downtown.

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A resolution to provide $20k in funding for an outdoor dining space in Downtown. The resolution was adopted by a 5-1 vote, with 3rd Ward Rep. @benseidler voting in the negative. Before voting Rep. Seidler asked if this was ontop of previous approved funding- it is.

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The public had a chance to speak:

One concerned citizen, Virginia, spoke to the Council about a city water shut-off notice posted on the homes of people who are low-income, elderly, or who have mental and physical disabilities and says this act was retraumatizing for them

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Another citizen, Carlee, used her time to say that “America is on the brink of collapse,” attacking a drag brunch event to be held at Primanti Brothers later this month, claiming Disney created an “anti-white character,”

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She also made a sly remark about Rep. @RosemaryKetchum encouraging people to run for office, and went on a tangent about a protective order placed on her by, quoting Carlee, a “friend of Rosemary.”

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After the meeting I asked two women if they had a comment on the #CrownAct. Asking to remain anonymous, one woman said she didn’t believe this should be a big issue. She said comments made mentioning hygiene when discussing the ordinance was uncalled for. #folkreporters

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She expressed feeling irritated, saying it “showed how [racist] people are and don’t think they are.” She then touched her natural wavy hair and look at me with smile on her face saying she loved her hair. <3 Was honored that she was my first "interview" ever!

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And, THAT DOES IT! Wow. Thank you for reading if you made it this far. I covered as much as I could. If you think some of my items discussed are boring, just know I left out some things! I promise!

@threadreaderapp please unroll this so the people can READ!

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Lastly, thank you @BlackByGodWV for inspiring me to be a #witness at my very first city council meeting. I believe local news is slacking on covering important issues. I'm tired of being mad, so I'm channeling my energy this way! @cgoodwoman, thanks for the work that you do! 💛

Also quickly want to shout out some other peeps who I’ve not met, but who no less inspired me to try independent reporting. Seeing @ameliaknisely be fired about pressure from the head of the DHHR infuriated me.

Who I’m dubbing the Gazette 3 (@caitycoyne @LaciePierson @RyanEQuinn) getting fired was upsetting too. I’m often a voice of criticism in my workplace, and retaliation is a fear, but for god’s sake firing journalists for having opinions is next level retaliation.

And all the folks who spoke out about HB2007. That was the final straw for me: our legislature full of “small government” conservatives passing a bill to give the state authority to ban a group of people from receiving life-altering, affirming care. We spoke up, but were silenced