Effort underway to remove Kent Carper’s name from two Kanawha County buildings

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — A long-time lobbyist in West Virginia is asking that the names on certain buildings be changed. At issue is the controversy surrounding former Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper.

The Justice and Public Safety Complex in Kanawha County was named after long-time Commission President Kent Carper, and the building bears his name. The communications center at Metro 911 is also named after Carper. But Carper resigned earlier this year, after being investigated for alleged indecent exposure at Charleston’s Daniel Boone Park and possible obstruction of justice. No charges were ever filed.

But a recent op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail suggests the two locations be renamed in honor of murdered Charleston Police Officer Cassie Johnson.

“He’s an individual who resigned in disgrace. And had he not had the financial resources of anyone else, he was able to hire a very good lawyer. He hired a public relations firm and put a spin on something that was shameful,” said Nelson Robinson, who wants Kent Carper’s name removed from the two county buildings.

“Cassie Johnson, a young woman. A Charleston city police officer who gave her, you know, she answered a call and gave the ultimate sacrifice. She lost her life,” Robinson continued

WOWK 13 News did reach out to a spokesman for Kent Carper and his family seeking comment for this story, but they declined to speak with us or issue a statement.

The W. Kent Carper Justice & Public Safety complex was so named after being renovated in 2010. So far, the county commission has yet to receive a formal proposal to remove Carper’s name.

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