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Tri-Staters turn out for former governor's book signing
HUNTINGTON -- Former Gov. Arch A. Moore Jr. was met with hugs and gifts on Friday, during his only scheduled book-signing in the state at the Huntington Mall Borders Bookstore.
The signing was part of the rerelease of "Arch, The Life of Governor Arch A. Moore Jr." in paperback. Author Brad Crouser, a Charleston lawyer who served in Moore's third administration, said many people don't realize Moore's accomplishments. He hoped his book would change that.
The well-wishers Friday did not need much convincing. Despite his political and legal ups and downs, the 85-year-old Moore can still draw a crowd.
JoAnna Spencer, 66, traveled from Mason County to pick up the paperback and have it signed.
"I love Governor Moore," she said. "In my lifetime, he's the best governor we've ever had, and I vote either party. I think he's just done so much for West Virginia, it can't all be written down."
David Baker, 84, served in the Legislature with Moore in the 1950s. They attended West Virginia University together and have been friends for more than 60 years.
The former Cabell County delegate called Moore a dedicated public servant and effective governor. Before Moore's administration, Huntington and the surrounding area was neglected, not even having access from Interstate 64 to the Tri-State Airport, he said.
Moore said he currently commits his weekdays to financial and government consulting.
"It has taken me around the world," he said. "I'm presently very deeply involved in a matter in Iraq."
Moore said he was amazed at the book's popularity, and he called the biography a complete evaluation of his family's dedication to public service.
Borders General Manager Darren Jones said the store expects the book to sell very well.
"We're very lucky to have him here," he said.
Crouser also said Friday was special because no other book signings were scheduled.
"This probably won't happen again," he said.
Publishers Keith and Cheryl Davis, of Woodland Press, also made a special trip to the signing.
Keith Davis said 2,000 copies of the hardback originally were pressed and few of those remain. Currently, about 1,000 paperbacks have been published, he said.
Moore, whose daughter is U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, served three terms as governor, from 1969 to 1977, and from 1985 to 1989.
He ran for re-election as governor in 1988 but was defeated by Gaston Caperton after allegations of corruption. Moore pleaded guilty to accepting illegal payments during his 1984 and 1988 elections and spent three years in federal confinement. Moore was disbarred and forfeited his state pension after his conviction. In 1995, he paid a settlement of $750,000 to the state.
Looking around at the supporters excited to meet Moore, Keith Davis said, "There's a certain amount of controversy surrounding him, but you wouldn't know it."
Moore has always been a man that didn't talk about problems, but solved them, said Fred Donohoe, 75, of Milton. Donohoe spent 35 years with the West Virginia State Police, including several years of service in the former governor's mansion.
