February 4, 2010 - Video Now Available From Public Hearing On Election Reform
This video features Tony Martin's plea to Beckley Mayor Emmett Pugh and Beckley common council to respect the wishes of Beckley's voters not to eliminate the city's democratic primary, but to begin aligning the city's election cycle with the state and federal mid-term elections.
January 26, 2010 - Proposed Beckley Election Change Advances
Despite strong public opposition, all but two members of Beckley Common Council voted to move another step closer to eliminating the city’s primary elections during Tuesday night’s public hearing. What is even more confusing about council’s vote to move the proposed plan forward is that it appears all sides are in agreement about the fact that a better alternative would be to align city elections with the state’s off-year election cycle. >>Read more
January 25, 2010 - The Fight For Open City Government
The decision to change the city's election procedure would appear to be an important opportunity for meaningful citizen participation. Yet on an issue that is as public as it gets, our city leaders have made little or no effort, beyond what is required by law, to inform the public on their decision, let alone make an effort to involve us in the decision making process. >>Read more
January 12, 2010 - Beckley City Officials Propose Changing City's Election
Beckley to eliminate primary elections. Beckley, WV - City officials say the change is in an effort to increase voter turnout and save money. Declining voter turnout is not just a Beckley issue. Many cities are struggling to increase the almost nonexistent voter turnout in their municipal elections. Just as common are those cities that have made the difficult decision to move or change election cycles and have achieved success. Beckley Mayoral Candidate Tony Martin agrees this is an option Beckley should explore, but says there is no solid evidence that the plan proposed by city leaders will increase voter turnout. Mr. Martin says, the city should take this opportunity to align municipal elections with mid-term congressional elections. Allowing the city to successfully save money and increase voter turnout.
December 19, 2009 - Tony|TV Why Are You Running For Mayor
Tony Martin explains what prompted him to enter the race to become Beckley's next mayor.
December 7, 2009 - Ben Bolen Receives Star Citizen Award.
Beckley Mayoral Candidate Tony Martin presents Ben Bolen his campaign's Star Citizen Award. Beckley, WV - Ben Bolen decided he would celebrate his birthday this year by giving Christmas to others. It was for this reason the TONY|2011 Campaign selected Ben Bolen to be the first recipient of the TONY|2011 Star Citizen Award. Tony was there to celebrate and present the award to Ben during his birthday party at Mac Arthur Skating Rink. >>Ben's Story:
WVNS-TV Ben Bolen is celebrating his birthday by giving away his presents to the less fortunate.
Register-Herald Youngster to celebrate birthday by giving Christmas to others
December 5, 2009 - Tony|TV Beckley Christmas Parade
It looked a lot like Christmas. It was snowing and it was cold, but the parade was still on. Watch as Tony|TV follows Tony during the parade. It was obvious he was loving it.
November 19, 2009 - The First Volunteer Meeting
The Campaign held its first volunteer meeting on Thursday, November 19th. Pride, fulfillment, and friendship, are only a few of the personal rewards that can be discovered as a volunteer for TONY|2011. We would like to grant a warm welcome to our new volunteers. Your efforts will be the success of this campaign. >>Volunteer
October 31, 2009 - Opportunity|NOW Turning Talent into Jobs
Turning talent into jobs was the subject of discussion during a lunch meeting on Wednesday at the Tamarack on Harper Road in Beckley. Mayoral Candidate Tony Martin met with Sally Barton, Executive Director of The Tamarack Foundation to discuss the enormous impact local artisans have on our state's economy.
October 18, 2009 - Tony will attend the 2009 Create WV Conference in Huntington
The purpose of the Create WV Conference is to work towards achieving objectives to a) enable West Virginians to live within the most innovative and prosperous communities in the world, b) propose and support statewide policies and programs that will support creative community development, and c) promote West Virginia as "a great state to create," thereby retaining and recruiting more talented people to live and create here. The three day event will be held in Huntington, WV October 18-20, 2009. >>Details
October 17, 2009 - The Introduction of Tony-TV
From the beginning the goal of this campaign, beyond the obvious goal of winning, has been to come up with creative ways to get the community more involved. Tony-TV is yet another way we're attempting to achieve that goal.