Join us tonight at the Parkersburg City Council Meeting! The Council will be meeting at 6:45 PM to hear a presentation from Fairness Parkersburg about the importance and impact of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance. We are expecting a large group of people opposed to the ordinance to show up, the churches are estimating 500-600 people will be in attendance. The Council Chambers can only hold around 240 people so the more folks who can grab a good book and bottle of water and head down early to get a seat the better, however we totally understand if you have jobs and can't be there till later. If you support the NDO and you don't have anything better to do before the presentation at 6:45 head on down to the Parkersburg Municipal Building at 1 Government Sq, Parkersburg, WV 26101. PLEASE BE AWARE: We are first and foremost advocates for peace and non-violence. Tonight's council meeting will most assuredly be very emotional for many supporting the NDO who have lost loved ones and faced both discrimination and been victims of violence. We ask that you please try to control your emotions and reactions. We want to be respectful to the council members who will be there. We have been told by some members of council that the grimaces, unfavorable looks, and "frowns" on our faces when those opposing the bill make outlandish comments like, "There is no discrimination in Parkersburg", "these people choose this life", and "When you ride with the devil you are going straight to hell" are looked on unfavorably by council. Keeping this in mind we ask that you try to be respectful and again refrain from screaming out your opposition, booing, or otherwise disrupting the council. INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK: If you would like to speak to council about your experience and encourage them to vote yes on the ordinance. Please be prepared to line up when the public forum portion of the agenda begins. We ask that you carefully consider your statements to council and provide a well thought out statement. The Council generally gives each speaker a five minute period and we ask that you try to stay within that five minute window and if the chair starts to cut you off simply finish respectfully and do not argue. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT: Please call your City Council Member and let them know you support the NDO. Mayor Tom Joyce: 304-424-8420 District 1: Dave McCrady 304-588-7644 District 2: Sharon A. Kuhl 304-485-8980 District 3: Bob Mercer 304-588-8074 District 4: Eric Barber 304-580-8376 District 5: JR Carpenter 304-428-5680 District 6: Mike Reynolds 304-834-0708 District 7: John Reed 304-615-9801 District 8: Zach Stanley 304-615-7570 District 9: Jeff Fox 304-428-7732 We only a little over 300 signatures from 1000. Please continue to share the petition via your social media and encourage your friends who would support the NDO to sign. If they don't live in Parkersburg it is okay for them to sign as it shows that failing to protect these groups reflects poorly on the appeal of the city.