News
January 6, 2009
W.Va. inaugural to greet a new day
State deserves it, Manchin says
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia's first lady says her husband's second inauguration later this month will reflect and celebrate the ways West Virginia has changed over the first four years of the Manchin administration.

Gayle Manchin said the theme grew out of Gov. Joe Manchin's first inauguration, when the Capitol dome was under wraps for renovations, and the state's economy was also, figuratively, undergoing repairs.

The theme of this year’s inaugural is to celebrate the positive change in the state over the last four years, first lady Gayle Manchin said.
In the past four years, she said, the state's economy has improved and attitudes about the state have changed.

"Over the four years, we have sort of evolved into a new West Virginia," the first lady said.

While at least six of the 11 governors elected in November have cancelled or scaled back inaugural activities because of the economy, Manchin said West Virginia is in a position to proceed with its celebration.

"The consensus we received from people around the state was we had earned the right to celebrate, and when I say 'we,' I don't mean Joe and me, I mean the people of West Virginia," she said.

"Out of these 11 states, we are doing as well or better than any of them, and it's been a compilation of reasons: The governor has been fiscally responsible, energy obviously has been doing very well, and we have been building our economy," she said.

Scheduled events will be similar to those for Manchin's first inauguration in 2005, beginning with an Ecumenical Mass at noon Jan. 18, at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral.

Events on inauguration day, Jan. 19, will begin with a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program of Tribute and Remembrance at 8:30 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church.

The inaugural parade - a tradition the Manchins returned in 2005 after a 32-year absence - will begin at 10 a.m. on Kanawha Boulevard at Capitol Street and proceed to Greenbrier Street.

In addition to dignitaries and floats, the parade will feature marching bands from West Virginia University, Marshall University and at least 25 high schools around the state, inaugural committee spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro said Monday.

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Posted By: MarshallFan (11:34am 01-08-2009)
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When will you people get it? The Manchins don't care about you, me or the State of WV. All King Joe cares about is King Joe and assorted family members, like the Mafia does. Get it?`

Posted By: Kitty (8:19am 01-08-2009)
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Islandreporter! Obviously you didn't get the horse pun on "woe"! Sorry you have no sense of humor! Again, her remark was put in asterisks to state it in the form she gave. There is no "two wrongs don't make a right" in this instance! I think I know the difference between whoa and woe! Good grief!
Earned_my_degree: Yes, the Manchins have done some good things for WV. However, it doesn't mean they need to go all out like they did the last time. If a party must be held, then something more sedate and within reason would give a better impression to the state and its people. Better yet, just be inaugurated and be done with it! Many other states are not having a big bash and they say it is due to the economy. As you can see from these posts, I'm not alone in this point.

Posted By: hdt (7:54am 01-08-2009)
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Papa Joe and Gayle are out of touch! At a time when businesses are laying off, the stock market is a joke and prices are totally unstable, to blow your own horn with the hoopla the Manchins plan is a waste of money. The second time around the Inauguration should be simple and unpretentious.

Posted By: Earned_My_Degree (7:17am 01-08-2009)
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I agree with Natalie, the Manchins have done much for West Virginia. Now, let's bust out a bottle of wine and a deck of cards and let the celebration begin.

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