Hey kids! Governor Manchin here! Did you see the State Journal report where my wife, Gayle, said that we had discussed what might happen if Sen. Byrd's seat suddenly became open? I did! And I wasn't happy! The report made it sound like we had discussed appointing Gayle to fill the seat! That's ridiculous! Who do you think has waited longer for that seat, me or her? You got it! I mean, come on! Whoever heard of a woman becoming a U.S. Senator who has never held public office and whose only qualification was that she was married to a powerful politician? Oh, yeah. Forgot. Well, I can assure you of one thing, Gayle would never be interested in running for president! At least, I don't think so. I did think it was strange when she asked me to start referring to her as Gayle Conelly Manchin. But before I worry about that, I need to make my weekly call to Sen. Byrd to see how he's feeling! Last week, his aide told me the Senator was kinda busy and wondered if he could call me back. I've been waiting all week! Must be a sure sign that something's wrong! Right?
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Manchin actions increasingly indicate soft on crime attitude
Last week, Gov. Joe Manchin handed out more than $3 million in state grants to various groups to fight domestic violence and other such crimes.
But while the governor often talks a good game in regard to being tough on crime, his actions fail to match his words.
Manchin has been quick to launch special sessions on issues ranging from mine safety to tax reform, but he demonstrates a less zealous attitude about crime.
Even in the wake of a law enforcement
uproar over the Supreme Court's ruling in the State v. Mullens case, Manchin said last week that a special session to strengthen the state's wiretap laws was not likely. The lastest voice added to the call for quick action came from the Wheeling News-Register, which recently opined, "We encourage the Legislature, then, to address the issue as soon as possible. The sooner criminals lose the advantage granted by the high court, the better."
The governor's lackadaisical attitude was also on display during the Logan's Law debate in 2005, when Manchin expressed more concern in a memo to fellow Democrats over claiming ownership of the bill than in the provisions of the legislation itself. Only through pressure from Republicans was the bill eventually passed in a tougher form than that originally supported by Manchin and the Dems.
Likewise, the state still apparently ignores a Supreme Court ruling in regard to driving while intoxicated. The high court affirmed DUI convictions even when "no contest" pleas are entered. But the Department of Motor Vehicles, at the instruction of the administration, continues to grant administrative hearings to hear appeals of driver's license revocations for people who were convicted of DUI after pleading "no contest." In other words, the magic words "no contest" can still help drivers escape the mandatory loss of driving privileges.
Manchin's reluctance to deal with the Mullens case has drawn the attention of law enforcement and legislators. Last week, the Republican House caucus held a press event demanding a special session on the subject, while lawmen described how drug cases are falling apart in the wake of the Mullens ruling. Manchin was unmoved, saying his attorneys are studying the court ruling, and legislation would be introduced in 2008 -- an impressive amount of time for drug investigations to continue to unravel and for more meth houses to explode.
GOV. JOE MANCHIN
Huntington TAR
killed in accident
A member of the Huntington Teen-age Republican club and recent Huntington High School graduate was killed in a car crash while returning from Panama City, Fla., on Sunday.
Christopher Withers, was riding in a van with four other 18-year-olds when it was involved in a crash with a car on US 331 in Alabama, according to reports.
Chris is the son of Bob and Elizabeth Winters of Huntington.
According to various news reports, Withers' fellow Huntington High graduate Bobby Gleason was taken into surgery at a hospital in Dothan, Ala., due to a head injury. He is still reportedly listed in critical condition.
Brothers Matt and Kevin Rowsey, as well as Eddie Paul, were injured, but not as seriously.
Alabama State Police said Withers was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the van.
Secretary of State Betty Ireland delivered the opening address at the 17th annual Southern Women in Public Service conference held recently in Tampa, Florida. This bipartisan event, sponsored by the Stennis Center for Public Service, brings together women leaders—mayors, judges, legislators, cabinet officials and others—from 14 Southern states to build skills and encourage women in public service. This is West Virginia’s first year in the conference.
“The Southern Women in Public Service conference is a program unlike any other in the country. Leaders from both political parties who are women working at the local, state and federal levels unite behind the idea that America will benefit from more women in public service,” Ireland said.
“It is the only conference of its kind in the nation, and I was very proud to represent West Virginia at this outstanding event,” she added.
Secretary Ireland, the first woman in the history of West Virginia to be elected to the state’s executive branch of government, was selected as the first West Virginia representative ever to serve on the Council of Pacesetters for this annual conference.
Delegate Virginia Mahan also represented West Virginia at the conference. “We need more policy makers of the caliber attending this conference, ” she said. “They would be exceptional no matter their gender. The truth is, women add a great amount of talent, energy, and intelligence to government leadership.”
An impressive lineup of speakers included Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink; Betty Castor, executive director of the Patel Center for Global Solutions, former University of South Florida President and Florida Education Commissioner; Congresswomen Kathy Castor (D-FL); Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio; USF president Judy Genshaft; Paulette Lewis, regional administrator of the Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor. First Lady Laura Bush joined the conference via video.
In addition, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek received the Lindy Boggs Award, presented annually to an outstanding woman leader in public service. Past recipients include Elizabeth Dole, Condoleezza Rice and Janet Reno among others.
Betty Ireland delivers opening address at bipartisan Southern Women in Public Service conference
