Keith BieryGolick

kbierygolick@enquirer.com

Update: A real estate firm ended its relationship with West Chester Township's fiscal officer after comments he made on Facebook about the Women's March.

Bruce Jones, a real estate agent once affiliated with Coldwell Banker West Shell, got into an online debate about women's rights. Eventually, he called a woman he was arguing with "ill" and told her to go "back to the asylum."

Coldwell Banker announced its decision in a statement Tuesday.

"At Coldwell Banker West Shell we believe in equal rights and opportunities for all," the company said in its statement. "Regardless of personal or political viewpoints, we support a culture of dignity and respect and we do not condone hate speech. As such, we have disassociated with Mr. Jones."

A spokesman for the company declined further comment. Coldwell Banker has 8 offices in Greater Cincinnati and another 11 in Columbus.

In an interview with The Enquirer on Monday, Jones refused to apologize and said he would not be censored. On Tuesday, he called Coldwell Banker a "very liberal company" in an email.

He said he has multiple other business opportunities.

"I wish my former associates well," Jones said in the email.

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West Chester Township spokeswoman Barb Wilson said in an email Jones' comments were not endorsed by the township administration or Board of Trustees. She declined further comment.

The Butler County Democratic Party condemned Jones on Tuesday.

"Jones’s sexist comments plays to stereotypes as women as ‘hysterical’ simply for exercising their First Amendment rights. His remarks don’t show he is a ‘strong elected official;’ it shows he is an incredibly poor one,” said Chairwoman Jocelyn Bucaro in a statement.

“Mr. Jones apparently is unaware that women, too, fight and die for our country to protect our constitutional rights. We vote, too.”

Trustee Lee Wong said Jones owed the community an apology.

"That really hurt us as a community," Wong said about Jones' comments. "Facebook and social media is the devil's playground today."

When reached by the Enquirer, Trustee Mark Welch declined to comment because he said he hadn't read Jones' Facebook posts. Trustee George Lang did not return a phone call and message seeking comment

The township's regular trustee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the township building, 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

Original story: In a Facebook debate about this weekend's Women's March, a West Chester Township official called a woman "ill" and told her to go "back to the asylum."

When reached by The Enquirer on Monday, Fiscal Officer Bruce Jones did not apologize.

"I will never be censored. No elected officials should be censored," said Jones, a Republican. "People appreciate when elected officials do not surrender to the 'PC Police'. If you want strong government, you need strong elected officials."

The debate was sparked by a post Jones shared about the Women's March on Saturday. The post challenged women to name one right in America they don't have but men do. It goes on to say one thing women have the right to do is "to kill their kids," apparently referencing abortion.

One woman questioned Jones about the post, saying she faced inequality every day and that he just "mansplained" women's rights to her.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO CENSOR ME BECAUSE I'M A MAN! YOU are ILL!" Jones wrote in response. "Now be off - back to the asylum."

Jones, who was elected in 2011, said extremist Democrats are so concerned with inequality they can't see the equality right in front of them. The father of two daughters told The Enquirer his comments were a "non-story."

Jones' position is not up for election again until 2019. He makes about $28,000 a year as the township's fiscal officer. A spokeswoman for the township could not immediately be reached for comment.

"They're never going to listen," Jones said of the people he was debating on Facebook. "It's like trying to argue with an idiot."

Nora Rubinoff is one of those people "pissed off" by Jones' comments.

"He doesn't have to agree with everyone," said Rubinoff, a West Chester resident and business owner. "But regardless of my politics, this kind of crap cannot happen."

Rubinoff has lived in West Chester since 1991. She considered herself a Republican until then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's "grab her by the p****" remarks surfaced.

"This kind of partisan politics does not move us forward," she said. "Public officials serve all of us who own property and businesses in this township."

Jones, who voted for Trump, viewed the recent election as a victory for equality. He had a simple message for those who don't like the opinions he shares on Facebook:

"Take a walk," he said.