Bye-bye, "Open for Business"

"Open for Business" could be on its way out.

This is from a story that moved on the AP wire a little while ago:

Gov. Joe Manchin’s office announced Wednesday that an online and telephone poll is being conducted to allow West Virginia residents to come up with a new phrase for the 107 welcome signs posted on roads leading into the state.

Manchin said it’s time for the people of West Virginia to choose a permanent welcome slogan, one they’d want all the world to see.

The governor has been criticized over the “Open for Business” slogan since he first proposed putting it on the road signs during his 2006 state of the state address. Members of the Republican Party said the slogan was cheesy and a West Virginia University student collected about 15,000 signatures in an online petition last year aimed at changing it.

At the time, administration officials said the signs would remain up for the time being but that the phrase could easily be replaced later.

The poll, which lasts through Sept. 19, asks people to vote on whether they want a permanent slogan on the signs. If so, they’ll be asked what they think the new slogan should be, using up to 20 letters.

If the majority wants a permanent slogan, the governor’s office will conduct a second poll on the top suggestions.

The poll is available at three Web sites: www.wvgov.org, www.wv.gov or www.wvtourism.com.People without Internet access can call 1-866-SLOGAN-4.

Manchin plans to ask lawmakers to make the poll results official during next year’s regular legislative session, spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg said. The estimated cost of changing the signs is about $50,000.

Here I thought West Virginia already had a slogan: Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.

Manchin told the HD editorial board that "Open for Business" refers to state government's new willingness to make things easier for businesses willing to set up shop in the state. Manchin said he wanted to cut the red tape and make things easier. Trouble is, if you have to explain a slogan, it's time for a new slogan.

I'm old enough to remember when the 6th Street Bridge had a pink signs with mountains, welcoming people to the "Switzerland of America."

Bring back "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia."