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Popular Charleston Mayor Danny Jones is a fascinating and often exasperating public figure (as noted in an earlier story), but lately, speculation has increased that he may be preparing to take the final step in his long political transformation.Simply put, Danny Jones seems to like Democrats more than he likes his own party. His consistent and effusive praise of Sen. Robert C. Byrd is but one example, and lately there have been others, as pointed out by frustrated GOP activists:* He has been contributing thousands of dollars to Democrats' city campaigns, but hardly any to Republicans.* He has publicly endorsed the Democratic candidate for City Treasurer.* He did little or nothing to fill the Republican ballot in the city election (almost 50% of the GOP slots were left with no candidates) and he is doing nothing to campaign with the few Republican candidates on the city election ballot.* He has reportedly been meeting often with state Democrat Chairman Nick Casey.The big rumor making its way all around Charleston is that once re-elected, he will change parties. Some speculate he is interested in running for Congress in the 2nd District, and still others suggest he may even have his eyes on the governor's mansion in 2012 -- maybe sooner if, for some unseen reason, Gov. Joe Manchin does something besides seek reelection.For most Republicans, Danny Jones' exit from the GOP would not be met with weeping or gnashing of teeth, although he is not viewed with the animosity that South Charleston mayor and former Republican Richie Robb often engendered through his nitpicking at state committee meetings and his more vocal criticisms of the Republican Party, especially the president. With Jones, Republicans just seem resigned to the fact that the mayor is simply not a big fan of his own party, and a switch would make perfect sense for him.Ronald Reagan, the former Democrat, famously said, "I did not leave the Democrat Party. The Democrat Party left me." Mayor Jones may well feel the same about his party.I don't wish for Danny Jones to switch parties. As do most people, I like him personally very much, and admire the job he does as mayor. My wish would be for him to embrace his party, defend it, and work hard to advance the party and its candidates, locally and nationally. As a high profile and popular mayor, he has a tremendous bullhorn that could be used to lift his party along with himself.But he chooses not to do that, and like most Republicans, I'm often frustrated at his open support for Democrats and his swipes at the GOP. So, if he did make the switch, I would join many other Republicans in wishing him well and agreeing that he, like Robb, is finally where he seems to want to be.And Mayor Jones' frequent swipes at the Republican Party would be a lot easier to take coming from a Democrat, where at least you expect it.Secretary of State Betty Ireland was named one of Government Technology’s ‘Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers’ in its March 2007 edition. According to Government Technology, the magazine has dedicated its March issue to 25 individuals who are “pushing the boundaries of government-as-usual” and says this year’s group “may be our most diverse yet.”“I am deeply honored to be recognized by Government Technology as one of its ‘Top 25’ in the country,” Secretary Ireland said. “One of my goals for my administration was to push the envelope in the use of technology and it remains so. It certainly is nice to get some personal recognition, but it’s even better that West Virginia is being highlighted in a positive fashion.”Some of the initiatives highlighted in the magazine are the development of an online meeting notice system, an online campaign finance reporting system and furthering the progress of the use of digital signatures (eSignatures) in the State of West Virginia. Jessica Weilding, staff writer, wrote, “Ireland said her goal is to bring the state’s aging legislative code into harmony with emerging e-government technology – just as she’s brought the state into the 21st century by breaking gender norms.” (Ireland is the first woman ever to be elected to West Virginia’s executive branch of government.)“Technology not only helps state government with its internal business operations, but it also makes government more accessible to its citizens,” Secretary Ireland said. “Many elected officials want to leave a legacy after their gone – that’s not as important to me. But what better way to enrich the future of one’s office than to advance its use of technology. I’m proud we’ve been able to accomplish that.”According to The Associated Press, West Virginia University Board of Governors Chairman Steve Goodwin was jeered by faculty members on Monday when discussing the president search process. As reported by the AP: ...more than a dozen faculty members jeered WVU Board of Governors Chairman Steve Goodwin when he said the search for WVU's next leader was a "valid, open and conspicuous process.'' By the way, the day WVU insists it will name its new president happens to be Friday the 13th.