Published: October 09, 2008 11:47 pm      

Just among friends

Those who know him best ‘roast’ Gov. Manchin

FAIRMONT — Gov. Joe Manchin not only cuts his hair with a “Flowbee,” but he is also a closet QVC shopper.

It was little tidbits like those that were told and heard by family, friends, staff and co-workers of West Virginia’s Democratic leader at an old-fashioned “roast” of the governor held at Westchester Village Thursday night.

The roast was hosted by the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee, the Marion County Democratic Men, and the Marion County Democratic Women and featured an impressive list of speakers, many who have known Manchin since he was a small-town boy living in Farmington.

“Thank you for tonight,” Manchin said at the end of the program. “I thank you for a wonderful opportunity to be roasted by friends who know me the best.”

Manchin added that he would gladly be the subject of these jokes, which included anecdotes about his driving habits, hunting skills, and hobbies like boating, flying, biking and fishing as well as love for the political spotlight, among many others, to help what he believes is such a worthy cause.

“It was a good night,” Manchin said. “It was good to see all of my old friends and people who have been with me politically. They are a product of my environment.”

Many of the roasters, after telling the funny, personal stories, also got serious at the end of their speeches.

Oce Smith, sergeant at arms of the West Virginia House of Delegates, said that out of all of the governors he has known, which is a significant number, he believes Manchin is the best.

Ed Pastilong, West Virginia University Athletic director and long-time friend and sports teammate of Manchin, said West Virginia “just got lucky” with Manchin as the governor, lending the quote from a story he told involving the governor about scoring tickets to a football game.

Ron Radcliffe, executive director of Workforce West Virginia and long-time colleague, said he is just proud to be friends with Manchin and is proud that he was able to work under him for so many years.

The governor’s chief of staff Larry Puccio said after relaying stories about his political endeavors with the governor since beginning to work with him in his early 2000s, that Manchin will always be known as the governor who started and truly managed the State of West Virginia.

Other roasters included Jim Sago, former county commissioner and retired staff member of Manchin’s; Delegate Tim Manchin, the governor’s first cousin; Delegate Mike Caputo; Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal; Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe; Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine; long-time friend and supporter Joe Carunchia; and Meline Serdich, the governor’s cousin and best friend.

The event was emceed by Chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Executive Committee Nick Casey.

Manchin’s campaign manager, Sarah Scarbro, and daughter Brooke Manchin also roasted him together, telling stories about the governor’s recent trip to Colorado for the Democratic National Convention.

According to the pair, Manchin was somewhat of a press hog at the event, but needs a brush-up on his pop culture knowledge before he goes to interview with “The Tonight Show” again.

First lady Gayle Manchin also said a few words about her husband of 41 years, primarily outing his secret addiction to shopping through QVC. She said the act has brought many “mysterious” packages to their doorstep over the years, which contain such products as the hair “Flowbee” the governor uses to trim his locks to a huge, undesirable juicer.

The governor was also presented an award from Mayor Scott Sears on behalf of the City of Fairmont naming Thursday as Joe “Buddy” Manchin Day, making reference to the fact that the governor frequently calls everyone “buddy.”

Manchin also presented Carunchia, who playfully complained that he has supported the governor for years but has never been named to a cushy Charleston government position like many of his other hometown friends, with a “great idea award” for all of the sound advice Carunchia has given him over the years.

Also on Thursday before the roast, the governor traveled to several local locations for some grant presentations, ribbons-cuttings, and groundbreakings.

The first stop was three-grant presentations at the Marion County Commission chambers. One was to revitalize an underpass on the rail trail in Montana Mines. Another was to pave the West Fork River Trail, and the third was to fund sidewalk work in Pleasant Valley.

The governor’s next step was Scott Place Homeless Shelter, where he staged a groundbreaking for the Next Step Transitional and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs at a site beside the building.

That was followed by two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, one at Country Roads and Fairmont Fitness Center, which opened this summer, and another at Lion in the Sun, which just opened a new location at the McAteer Building on Locust Avenue.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.