WV Gov Blames Legal System for Abrupt Departure of Popular Employee
WV Gov Blames Legal System for Abrupt Departure of Popular Employee Save Email Print
Posted: 11:02 AM Nov 9, 2007
Last Updated: 11:12 AM Nov 9, 2007
Reporter: Amanda Barren
Email Address: Amanda.Barren@wsaz.com

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His job was to preserve the memories of the state, but now he is a memory.

Fred Armstrong was fired last week. For decades Armstrong was West Virginia's State Director of Archives.

After serving the state for years Armstrong was given a termination letter last week and told to leave the building immediately.

Armstrong was a familiar and friendly face in the capitol. He thinks he was let go because he did not want to move the states archives to make room for a new cafeteria.

Friday, we asked Governor Joe Manchin about Armstrong's abrupt departure. Manchin said current laws prevent dismissals from happening any other way.

Click on the link below to hear the interview.

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Posted by: Barbara on Jan 15, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Fred Armstrong was one of the most devoted and capable employees at the Division of Culture and History. What a shame that a total incompetent like Randall Reid Smith can be appointed to such a position.

Posted by: Sue on Dec 11, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Shame on the Governor for letting this bring more bad publicity to WV. As a native, I am appalled that a fine man like Fred Armstrong could be treated so shabbily. How sad.

Posted by: Looking for someone else to vote for on Nov 30, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I will not be voting for Joe Manchin. I will vote for anyone opposing him. Good grief, I'd even vote for Lloyd Jackson. Randall Reid-Smith is a laugh out loud joke. He is the worst commissioner ever. I miss renay conlin, norm fagan and all the others. I don't like Reid-Smith and will never step foot in the Cultural Center again. If the Clay Center allows him to sing, I won't step foot in their building again either. Joe Manchin must go. He is a joke. Reid-Smith is a joke. I don't like these people at all.

Posted by: Joetta please elaborate on Nov 11, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Considering you have the inside information why not elaborate. As for me it seems the other people here feel as I do. History is more important than a cafe. If they are hungry cross the street to one of the fine businesses next to the capitol and eat. I for one feel that the legislature should take this up and make the cultural center off limits to business. That is what tamarack is for. I should say I admit joe is a one termer if things continue as they are going now. He does not care about education or history. Changes the state logo at will then spends millions to appease us to change it. Now here we are again in another issue that should not be. Maybe another family member needs a job as state archives director. Sheeesh cannot wait to retire and leave here.

Posted by: Pat on Nov 11, 2007 at 05:56 PM
What's new about Manchin dodging an answer. Before he was elected, he spoke at my men's club and was asked where he stood on the regional airport. After a 15 minute "answer" everyone just looked at each other and scratched their heads wondering what side he was on. I doubt if anyone in that room voted for him after that display of waffling. It was comical.

Posted by: Joetta on Nov 11, 2007 at 05:04 PM
The reason he was fired was because he was an at will employee. He served at the will of the Governor. Not Mrs. Joe Goodwin but Joe Manchin had Fred Armstrong fired. Bite the bullet little man and admit you screwed up. You know now that you did.

Posted by: WV Citizen on Nov 11, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Randall Reid-Smith should be escorted out of the building by police. He is the worst commissioner ever. Governor Manchin simply doesn't care about Culture and History, that is why he allows Randall Reid-Smith to stay. Fred Armstrong was treated dispicably. Someone please get the police to escort Reid-Smith out of the building. We need a new commissioner. I will not be voting for Governor Manchin again.

Posted by: Scooter on Nov 11, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Another lame excuse by the Governor. C'mon, Governor Manchin, you don't listen to anyone and hide behind the veil of procedure. Looks like another one-termer. And people say THIS is the guy who's going to take Senator Byrd's position? Have mercy on ALL of us!

Posted by: Marion on Nov 10, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Joe,Don't you know what is going on in your own backyard? You say the problem is due to the law. You are correct. Kay Goodwin is trying to break the law by taking the Archives Library and turning it into an entertainment center for politial parties paid for by the lobbyists. Fred Armstrong lost his job doing what the law said he should do--protect the Archival records. You should not put archival records into a lending library. If you insist on turning the Archives into an entertainment center, then you should build a new building for the archives where they will be safe Between now and election time, the truth will come out. All voters should contact their state delegates and senators and demand that something be done to protect the archives. Gov. Manchin and Kay Goodwin should apologize to Fred Armstrong and make him the Commissioner of the Cultural Center. His professional background is far superior than Randal Reid Smith's background, who is a washed-up opera singer.

Posted by: Gerald on Nov 10, 2007 at 10:15 PM
Joe Manchin doesn't have the nerve to tell the Goodwin family no. The Goodwin law firm has made million off state deals. Isn't that enough? They have no right to degrade our archives to put in Kay's Cafe for a party place. When Mrs. Goodwin told Dawn Miller of the Charleston Gazette that only the archives would be moved she lied. The secret Space Reapportionment Study shows much much more to be relocated to make room for her party place. Manchin should ask forgiveness for what he did to Fred Armstrong at his next confession. He should offer to rehire Fred with a big raise and fire Kay Goodwin whose name should now be Badloss for her firing of Fred.

Posted by: Judith on Nov 10, 2007 at 11:01 AM
I am outraged that Governor Manchin would try to make it sound like the most honorable, honest, reliable, modest, earnest person in state service, Mr. Fred Armstrong, archivist, was dismissed without notice or cause because of "court" rules. To the average citizen it makes Mr. Armstrong, 30-year trusted employee of the State, sound like a criminal. Shame on you Governor Manchin! As a former resident of West Virginia I always hope for good public images for the wonderful state of West Virginia. This despicable dismissal of Mr. Armstrong, and the pitiful attempt by Governor Manchin to make it sound as if this kind of treatment was the "Usual" practice to get rid of unwanted State emoloyees, and was out of his control to investigate is a TERRIBLE image for West Virginia.

Posted by: reader on Nov 10, 2007 at 04:40 AM
he is such a bad...BAD govenor, thank god that i was not stupid enough to vote for him. liar...liar pants on fire

Posted by: Bob on Nov 9, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Come on Joe give us a better reason then to blame it on the legal system.

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