Second Manchin event to cost more

Four years ago, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin spent $1.3 million on his inauguration. He plans to spend more later this month for his second inauguration ceremony.

Tentative plans have been announced for Manchin's inaugural ceremony. A total of $1.3 million in private funds was raised for events surrounding the governor's swearing in four years ago, and no taxpayer money is involved.

"I don't have any cost figures, but we anticipate raising the same amount of money this year," said Sarah Payne-Scarbro, spokeswoman for the Manchin campaign. "Because of price increases over the past four years, we could be spending more. But we will not be adding any more.

"We have the same exact layout of events, but I would not be surprised if costs would increase."

The events of four years ago included regional inaugural ceremonies in Wheeling and in the Eastern Panhandle. Scarbro said the local celebrations are not being planned this year, and that Manchin encourages all state residents to make the trip to Charleston for inaugural festivities.

Manchin is one of 11 governors being sworn into office this month, and six of the elected governors have announced they are foregoing inaugural ceremonies as their states struggle financially. But West Virginia remains one of several states in solid financial shape, and Manchin feels there is much to celebrate, according to Scarbro.

"We've made a lot of advancements over the years," she said. "We are taking note, and celebrating the progress."

She noted that in January 2005, Manchin first took office in the shadows of a State Capitol dome that was under wraps and undergoing a restoration. The theme of the first inauguration was "The Road to Success is Often Under Construction."

The Capitol dome project is now completed, and the theme for the 2009 events is "A New West Virginia."

Events begin at noon Jan. 18, with a High Noon Ecumenical Mass at the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in East Charleston.

At 8:30 a.m. Jan. 19, there will a Martin Luther King Jr. Program of Tribute and Remembrance at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Charleston.

A parade down Kanawha Boulevard that ends at the Capitol Complex begins at 8:30 a.m.

Manchin is to be sworn in at 1 p.m. on the north side Capitol steps, and a reception will immediately follow in the Capitol Rotunda and Cultural Center Great Hall.

There is no charge for any of the events.

Tickets to the inaugural ball, which starts at 8 p.m. Monday at the Charleston Civic Center, will cost $50 each and are available through the Charleston Civic Center box office.