Hog-wild in the Mansion?
The Wicked Wag notes that none of the Wag's entries has evoked written comment. Hello? Anybody out there? The Wag is starting to feel like one hand clapping.Maybe the issues at hand are too important to be limited to the Gazz ArtAttack blog in a land where few people understand the enormous transformative power of art. Yes, art. The Wag will expound some day soon on all that, but for now, the Wag is still quivering with the realization of the parallels between how things are being done at the Governor's mansion and how things aren't being done next door at the Cultural Center where the museum should be.
There has been some talk about the Governor's spending program at the mansion. The word going round is that costs for renovations will probably not stop at last week's $3.3 million. If the Gov and The Missus have their way--and the Gov is getting pretty used to having his way--the total costs will be more like, ummm, upwards of $5 million. That's with the new "banquet room and kitchen." So, what is happening here is exactly THE STRATEGY applied to the museum project. Say the cost will be one figure, knowing very well that the job can't be done for that, then do as you please and say I'm sorry later (if necessary) rather than asking permission. (In the case of the museum, that strategy went awry, but that's because Joe is less than interested in the museum.) A lot of times the public won't be paying any attention, and the newspapers, those barking dogs, often can be confused and thrown off scent. Or maybe the editorialists and writers at the papers don't really care, either.
The Wag notices that the Manchins are beginning to behave like Ferdinand and Imelda, those infamous charming rulers of the Phillipines. With the Gov's approval rating supposedly at 80%, who wants to say that he and his wife are doing the wrong thing? So the rulers take the opportunity to run hog-wild. Because they can.
Ms. Manchin perhaps has several more ideas for the mansion, which she is not totally forthcoming about, possibly because she expects the poverty mentality here will cause our collective knees to jerk and mouths to fly open with automatic shouts of 'No!' The Manchins, like all cunning West Virginians, have developed strategies to get around all that.
The fact is, the mansion has needed to be refurbished, and truly does need additional and updated facilities. The question is, to what degree, and in what fashion? Like the much-debated and often-changed plans for the state museum, the project should be approached in a rational way, with costs honestly, forthrightly projected. What's that you say? "Forthright" and "West Virginia political process" are mutually exclusive concepts?
The Manchins were told long ago that vinyl replacement windows were not appropriate for the historic residence provided for them during their tenure. Much of the renovation work has been done outside of proper bidding procedures. Granted, those bidding procedures are tedious and too often result in stupid outcomes, but the process is supposed to help guard against wretched excess. The Gov and The Missus have broken the law in ignoring purchasing rules. Are we agreeing to ignore that because we like them? If plans go forward to add a wing to the mansion, it must be architecturally appropriate to the building. If it is not, it will be a blunder not only at our financial expense, but an unavoidable eyesore at the expense of our architectural legacy.
The big problem is that the Manchins are so lacking in education in this area that they don't realize what they are doing, and so drunk with the power that popularity seems to confer on them that they think they can do no wrong. No one should touch that building without consulting at least one architect who specializes in historic structures, who has knowledge of National Register regulations.
In a state where the basic educational level is low there are few people who understand the importance of these issues. Regarding the vinyl windows discussion, several people in the statehouse said, "Wouldn't they have used better materials if they had been available in their day?" Apparently the answer to that question is not clear to everyone, so here it is: The mansion is an example of the best materials and building practices of its day, making it worthy of careful preservation. Before downtown Charleston got its facelift, you could see the common idea of "improvement" played out on the "modernized" storefronts on historic buildings. The same ill-informed thinking is at work here.
The Wag is no politician, and no one-issue drone. The Wag acknowledges that the Manchins are charming folks. But the Wag wonders if the same clumsy, ill-informed processes are at work in other sectors of state government, and we're unaware of it? Are we being dazzled by warm smiles? It wouldn't be the first time, would it?
7 Comments:
What a disappointment our governor has become. West Virginians are generous to a fault, but the renovation of the mansion is a disgrace. Who do Joe and Gayle think they are? Spending taxpayer dollars on pool tables and other luxuries most taxpayers can't afford is a disgrace to out great state. It just goes to show me, once again, the more things change the more they stay the same. Politicians in this state are only interested in themselves, not the people they are elected to serve.
Please do the proper research before spewing such inaccuracies. Taxpayer money is NOT being spent for the second and third floor renovations. It was a fundraising drive established from their inauguration. These so-called "poker tables" are actually multi-purpose tables. The lids flip and are used as eating tables and places to do business with guests of the house. This doesn't have enough shock value so these aspects were conveniently left out. And, again, they were purchased with private money. This has not cost taxpayer's one dime. If one looks close at the costs reported by that right wing zealot Phil Kabler they would see that a shower head did not cost over $1100.00 dollars. It was in the $300.00 range. The reason for the increase? Because the pipes leaked (for God only knows how long) and had to be repaired. People in this state do repair things when they're broken, don't they? What entertains me the most is that people are upset that they purchased marble tubs instead of vinyl. Marble lasts forever. Vinyl: 15 years. Why not do something right the first time instead of piecemealing? I, for one commend the First couple for having enough class to want to showcase the mansion not only to in-state citizens but also to out of state visitors and international dignitaries. Do you know that when Governor's and other dignitaries from outside of West Virginia visit our state, they are forced to stay in hotels? How embarrassing! I'll bet when our Governor travels to another state or country, he is not treated this way. If you want people to stop treating us like second-class citizens, then let's stop acting like second class citizens. But it is this constant jealousy and fix it for today mentality that, sadly, will keep us second class citizens for a time to come.
I completely agree with the 7:11 anon. Lay off the Manchins. (And no, I am not the same person as posted above, and no, I don not work for the administration). Just because Manchin takes the place seriously and has the transparency to show us what he and the first lady are doing, people jump on him. Sure, I'd love it if the Manchin Manse had its share of WV kitsch... doubtless some nick-nacks will survive. And yeah, it would be great to know that some cost saving measures were in place (or an environmentally friendly plan...) But pressure him along those lines, not just with snide remarks about him acting uppity.
I thought this was a local art blog?
The Manchins didn’t break the law by “ignoring” state purchasing rules. At best, they broke a rule. There is a difference.
I don’t know why you’re so bent out of shape. I don’t think this is the case, but you sound like you’re pissed because they didn’t bring you on as a paid consultant or something. You fret about the Manchins doing something distasteful or “wrong” during the renovations, but never list any particular thing other than those windows. I know Gayle wasn’t an interior design major or anything, but I have no reason to trust your judgment over hers at all. I remind you that the Manchins restored the capitol dome to Cass Gilbert’s original design. Gayle is a very intelligent and dare I say classy lady who is more than capable of overseeing this kind of renovation. We needn’t bring in some hack from the moneyed Bridge Road aristocracy of “culture” every time something vaguely arts related happens at the Statehouse. I mean, $120,000 later, what did Lisa Fischer Casto do for the State Museum?
By the way, a lot of the trouble with the State Museum started when for whatever reason, the Commissioner rejected the first design from (I think) Chadbourne. They should have stuck (or been ordered to stick) with what they could afford.
All I can add to what Wicked Wag has blogged was published June 29 on the Op-Ed page, now on the blog under my name, not anonymously..that makes a big fat difference, my dears. It's all about courage, or arrogance, or honesty...take your pick. I will say that since I dissed the Gov and his lady over this mansion excess, I have recieved nothing but postive feedback...including an interview on radio up in Wheeling...people are outraged...and they have a right to be. As for the comment that marble lasts forever and vinyl tubs don't, I have one great big PUHLEEEZE? In the original bidding process, vinyl tubs were priced (for FIVE) then in a sort of mission creep it transmogrified into marble....skipping the intermediate that does well for most people and is just as durable, more maintenence -free: porcelain coated cast-iron. Our governor seems to have the "Me? Whee!" attitude of Muhammad Ali in his prime....acceptable in Ali but not in the Governor of West Virginia who only comes across as ...sophomoric...big toys for big boys..
Yeah Jane, I am guessing the Wheeling show you spoke on had Shane Mallett as a host. Let me explain who Shane Mallett is. First, he is a lawyer. Second he is Robert Fitzsimmons' errand boy who will do and say anything that Bobby orders. Third, Robert is a huge "ambulance chasing, extremely rich, lawyer who is pissed to high Heaven because tort reform legislation passed because of the Manchin Administration. And Shane, who is owned by Bob, is pissed also, because he is a lawyer and because Bobby tells him to be. They take time every day on their radio show and blast Manchin for anything. You see midget Bobby has dreams of being Governor himself but he just can't believe that Manchin still sits with 76% approval ratings. So Jane, while you think that these people are positive on you, they are simply giving you a forum to spew your innacuracies for their agenda. They could, honestly, give two cents, about you. They are LAWYERS! My final question to you Jane; Have the Manchin's used taxpayer money for the renovations to their private quarters? And if they have not, why do you care what they have bought. It is not costing you a dime!!!
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