U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin came to Logan County to listen to its residents about concerns they have about government, finances, national security and other issues.

Manchin visited Logan High School, then held a town hall meeting in the Logan County Commission courtroom at the courthouse and then stopped by to tour the Chief Logan Rec Center and to talk with residents there about their concerns and

worries.

Manchin talked with residents about coal and the Environmental Protection Agency's veto of the Spruce Mine permit.

More than 30 Logan Countians gathered at the courthouse to talk with the newly-elected U.S. senator. Manchin said he heard a lot of concerns and he will take those back to the U.S. Senate next week.

"The bottom line is that you hear from the people on the ground and that's who we are in West Virginia," Sen. Manchin said. "They want to get their financial house in order, they would like to have an energy policy that makes sense and they'd like to be able to take care of their families and have a strong country that gives them an opportunity. They're concerned about these things. I have to make sure I represent them the way I should be representing them and I heard from them."

Manchin said he will take all the information he and his staff have gathered on his tour through West Virginia and he plans to address those issues with Congress.

"I know that finances is a big thing and jobs are important to everybody," Manchin said. "This helps me go back next week and say 'Listen, I was in Logan and all over the state of West Virginia and this is why I'm voting the way I am -- not because the party tells me to do something, but because the people of West Virginia expects certain things to be done.'"

Former Logan County Commission President Art Kirkendoll was in attendance and he asked Manchin to go back to the U.S. Senate and call a "domestic session" to talk about problems people are facing here in America, rather than focusing so

much on other countries' problems.

"When Logan County made such an important vote to make his a U.S. senator, he promised me he would always be close by and the first time he had the opportunity, he said he wanted to hold a town hall meeting," Kirkendoll said. "I was very excited by the fact that he made several comments about crossing the aisles and everyone being Americans, rather than worrying about being Democrats or Republicans to get America back on track. Some of the comments were right to the point. America is concerned and there is a lot of problems and I think he understands them. I think he will use the good, old West Virginia common sense approach to bring a light to Washington, D.C., that the public is tired of it. I think we're finally demanding that we be allowed to work and pay fair taxes, take care of America's good and put America back on line.

"I asked him to go back to D.C. and ask for a domestic session. What I mean by a domestic session is to take the issues that concern the people like jobs, the cost of being an American, getting up every day and having a job, the values of America and putting America first. I want to help everybody, but we have to take care of America first. Right now, we're a little weak and we've got to fix that."

Manchin said both parties should work together.

"Everyone is concerned about their own party or their own politics more than the people," Manchin said. "In West Virginia, we have people working together, Democrats and Republicans. This needs to be fixed. We're in trouble, so let's fix it. I see them being much more cautious and hesitant about fixing things that are so blatantly wrong, because they are afraid it will affect them

politically."

Manchin said he has confidence in President Barack Obama that he can do a good job as America's leader.

"I believe he can, I truly do," Manchin said. "If I didn't think he could, I wouldn't have asked him to do it. He's bright and articulate and he just needs now to step in and take rein and take hold of this thing, don't worry about the 2012 election, be worried about how to fix America today. I believe he can and I believe he will."

Manchin also commented on the upcoming special gubernatorial election coming up next month in West Virginia.

"They're all good people," Manchin said of the candidates. "These are people I've worked with. Earl Ray and I have worked together for many years and he understands the finances. John Perdue is a good man who has a lot of experience. Natalie Tennant is a bright, young star, and Rick Thompson and all of them, I know them all. I'm going to go in there and cast my ballot and I'm sure you're going to cast yours."

Machin also heard from Logan County Sheriff Eddie Hunter about the growing drug problem and the new drugs like bath salts.

"Bath salts are beginning to be a popular drug here," Hunter told Manchin. "People are having them shipped in here legally."

Manchin also met with Logan County Commissioner Willie Akers and Logan County Businessman Wally Thornhill and talked about issues concerning southern West Virginia.

Logan County Delegate Rupert "Rupie" Phillips, who also talked with Manchin, was impressed that the senator took so much time to talk with people.

"This is great that he's hearing what people have to say," Phillips said.

Manchin said he was impressed with the Chief Logan Rec Center and how it has grown in a little more than a year in business. Manchin helped provide the funding for the building and then turned it back over to the Logan County Commission to run. The Rec Center has more than 1,700 members currently and numerous people using the facility each day.

Manchin talked with residents at the Rec Center about the facility and getting healthy. He also got on an eliptical bike and worked out for a few minutes before stopping to talk to Rec Center members about their concerns.

"The people of Logan County don't have any excuse now not to get healthy," Manchin said.