Incumbents return to office in Bluefield city election
bluefield — There were no surprises in Bluefield's municipal election.
The incumbents ran unopposed and were re-elected, according to unofficial returns.
Voter turnout in the city was light, according to City Clerk Anthony Heltzel. The election was held Tuesday with voters casting ballots in three different districts.
The results will be canvassed on June 9 at 9 a.m.
In District 1, Treyvon Simmons was re-elected with 38 votes.
In District 2, Mayor Ron Martin was re-elected with 46 votes.
In District 3, Daniel Wells was re-elected with 29 votes.
Simmons, Martin and Wells will serve another four-year term on the Bluefield Board of Directors.
'I'm deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve a third term on the Bluefield City Council,' Ron Martin, the city's current mayor, said. 'Though uncontested, I don't take this lightly — continued trust of Bluefield's citizens means everything. I'm committed to working hard every day to move Bluefield forward and make our city the best it can be for all who call it home.'
Heltzel said the remaining incumbents on the city board won't be up for re-election until 2027. They include at-large board members Matt Knowles and Peter Taylor.
But a new law passed earlier this year by the West Virginia Legislature could impact that election.
Senate Bill 50 was signed into law by Gov. Patrick Morrisey earlier this year. It will require all towns and cities in West Virginia to hold their elections on the same day that statewide general or primary elections are held.
'Now the city of Bluefield will have to do that, but we aren't for sure when that will be implemented yet,' Heltzel said. 'So it may effect when the next election is.'
Heltzel said the city can't extend term limits of elected board members. He said the city hopes to receive more information and guidance with regards to the new law in the future.
Contact Charles Owens at
cowens@bdtonline.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Incumbents return to office in Bluefield city election
bluefield — There were no surprises in Bluefield's municipal election. The incumbents ran unopposed and were re-elected, according to unofficial returns. Voter turnout in the city was light, according to City Clerk Anthony Heltzel. The election was held Tuesday with voters casting ballots in three different districts. The results will be canvassed on June 9 at 9 a.m. In District 1, Treyvon Simmons was re-elected with 38 votes. In District 2, Mayor Ron Martin was re-elected with 46 votes. In District 3, Daniel Wells was re-elected with 29 votes. Simmons, Martin and Wells will serve another four-year term on the Bluefield Board of Directors. 'I'm deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve a third term on the Bluefield City Council,' Ron Martin, the city's current mayor, said. 'Though uncontested, I don't take this lightly — continued trust of Bluefield's citizens means everything. I'm committed to working hard every day to move Bluefield forward and make our city the best it can be for all who call it home.' Heltzel said the remaining incumbents on the city board won't be up for re-election until 2027. They include at-large board members Matt Knowles and Peter Taylor. But a new law passed earlier this year by the West Virginia Legislature could impact that election. Senate Bill 50 was signed into law by Gov. Patrick Morrisey earlier this year. It will require all towns and cities in West Virginia to hold their elections on the same day that statewide general or primary elections are held. 'Now the city of Bluefield will have to do that, but we aren't for sure when that will be implemented yet,' Heltzel said. 'So it may effect when the next election is.' Heltzel said the city can't extend term limits of elected board members. He said the city hopes to receive more information and guidance with regards to the new law in the future. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
House Judiciary panel approves controversial concealed weapons bill
(Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor) The North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee voted 6-5 along party lines Tuesday to pass a bill to allow the permitless carry of concealed firearms, one of the most controversial topics of the current legislative session. Senate Bill 50, 'Freedom to Carry NC,' would allow individuals who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, and not otherwise prohibited by law, to carry concealed weapons without applying for a permit. It's backed by Republican leadership and would make North Carolina the 30th state to approve of so-called 'constitutional carry.' Having previously cleared the Senate, the bill now proceeds to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. Though the Judiciary 2 Committee has only 10 members — six Republicans and four Democrats — House Minority Leader Robert Reives II (D-Chatham, Randolph) took the unusual step of using his position as a committee 'floater' to attend the meeting and narrow the margin. 'Nine states have allowed constitutional carry at age 18, North Carolina would be the 10th that this bill became law,' primary sponsor Rep. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland) said. One amendment to the legislation increases the public safety employee death benefit to $150,000. Another calls for the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to develop a scholarship program for any child of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or first responder who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. These scholarships would be available for children between the ages of 17 and 28. The bill received opposition from a several lawmakers and members of the public. No one other than Britt spoke in favor of the measure. Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake) is the mother of two teenagers. She said there's a huge difference between individuals at the age of 18 and 21. At schools, students like Liu's son conduct drills for active shooter and lockdown situations. 'Our children are scared,' Liu said. 'We shouldn't accept it as a way of life, that they have to live with this.' Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) said this morning she told her 15-year-old son on the way to school that SB 50 was on the committee hearing docket today. He was shocked that an 18-year-old at his high school, potentially his classmate, would be allowed to buy a gun, according to Budd. She added that 18-year-olds in the United States can't drink a beer or rent a car. 'But yet, when it comes to something as a lethal as a gun… we want to lower the age and remove more restrictions,' Budd said, pointing out the irony. Anne Enberg, a local legislative leader for Moms Demand Action, said bills like SB 50 won't make communities safer. Enberg brought up a poll conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety in September that found 77% percent of likely North Carolina voters were against removing permit requirements from concealed carry laws. 'We should be looking for solutions that make us safer, not bills that would push crime and public safety's staff in the wrong direction,' she said. John Vanmeter-Kirk is a rising second-year student at North Carolina State University, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, and a lifelong Raleigh resident. He said he was speaking in front of the committee because SB 50 would put his home and community in danger. On Sunday, Vanmeter-Kirk noted, two North Carolina communities experienced mass shootings: one in Hickory and one in Asheville. 'Two innocent North Carolinians are dead, numerous injured, my community torn apart by senseless gun violence that could've been prevented,' Vanmeter-Kirk said. 'Even after two North Carolinians are dead, you're considering this incredibly dangerous bill that will only lead to the loss of more North Carolinians, dishonoring the memory of those we lost two days ago.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bluefield OKs tougher rules on animal abandonment
bluefield — Those who abandon animals in the city limits of Bluefield will now be subject to additional penalties. The Bluefield Board of Directors approved the second reading of an animal abandonment ordinance Tuesday. The amended ordinance specifically deals with the issue of those citizens who relocate to another residence in the city, but leave their cats and dogs behind. 'This just adds additional ammunition for our animal control officers to deal with people who are not properly caring for their animals, and are not actually living with the animals, but keeping the animals somewhere separate and far from where they live,' City Attorney David Kersey said. Bluefield has had a number of cases over the past two years of people moving from one residence to another and leaving their animals behind without proper food, water and care, according to City Manager Cecil Marson. 'We've had over probably the last year a couple of cases where folks actually own property, but they are not actually living in the property and they have their animals there,' Marson said. 'It's unacceptable, and the language in the original ordinance was somewhat vague on what the authorities and what legal rights we had to seize those animals. So this ordinance has been done in a manner to make sure we clear that up so our code enforcement and animal control teams and our police force can act if necessary if we see any type of mistreatment of animals.' The amended ordinance was approved by the board on a second reading Tuesday by a vote of 4-0 with board member Daniels Wells absent. According to the existing city code dealing with animal cruelty, no one living in the city limits is allowed to impound or confine any animal in any place, and fail to provide at the same time a sufficient quantity of food and water. In other business Tuesday, Marson talked about all of the Memorial Day activities that were held in Bluefield over the past weekend, including the opening of the Ridge Runner and the Memorial Day service that was conducted in the grassy area of the 400 block. Marson said all of the flags that were placed in the grassy area for Monday's ceremony were donated by Dreama Denver. He said Paul Dorsey and Felicia Holcomb helped to coordinate the Memorial Day program. While the weather didn't cooperate, Marson said the program 'turned out well.' Despite cooler temperatures outside and a steady rainfall during most of the long holiday weekend, the Ridge Runner was still able to start making its runs across Lotito Park on Saturday. Marson said about 290 people rode the miniature train over the weekend. But the train had to stop Sunday after a derailment occurred that involved one of its wheels leaving the track. Marson was asked after Tuesday's meeting to elaborate on the 'derailment' that occurred. 'So yes, Sunday afternoon, we had no train turned over or anything like that,' Marson said. 'It just got stuck in one spot. So we had to go out there this week and reshift the track and get it running.' The new splash pad at Lotito Park didn't meet its Memorial Day opening. Rick Showalter, director of parks and recreation for the city, said the splash pad is just about finished, but some work must still be completed, including the fencing. Weather also has impacted the ongoing work. 'We don't have an opening date,' Showalter said. 'We have hired staff, so all of that is going well. We will be training them when we get a little closer. We are very excited, and I think it will be a big hit with the kids.' 'Bottom line is with the weather, we have to get the dirt in and the fence in,' Marson added. 'We have to have the fence for the safety and monitoring. So that's what has been our biggest hold-up.' Board member Treyvon Simmons said the public is getting excited about the pending opening of the splash pad. Marson said final preparations also are underway for the start of the Cole Chevy Mountain Festival at city park. Trucks carrying carnival rides from the James H. Drew Carnival have started arriving at city park, and those rides will be assembled between now and Friday's opening. 'We should have a very nice Mountain Festival this year,' Marson said. 'And thanks to Cole Chevy for putting all of that together.' Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
