by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
State Sen. Steve Wise is cheap. Really cheap. He knows it and so does everyone else.
How cheap, you say. He once used a coupon at a men’s clothing store just to get a free tie and he wears a pair of shoes that were given to him by a friend — and the shoes weren’t a present. They were used.
“He wasn’t even dead,” said Wise.
His cheapness — and whatever other quality his “friends” choose to pick on — will be on full display next Thursday when Wise is roasted as part of a fundraiser for the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation.
“They have done some videos and showed pieces of them to me. I laughed so hard I started crying,” said Wise, who has been in the State Legislature since 1988. “It’s going to be a hoot.”
In all seriousness, Florida State College at Jacksonville President Dr. Steve Wallace says the roast is a great way to raise money for the foundation and thank Wise for his longtime support of education in general. Specifically, Wise spearheaded a program at the school that helps high school dropouts get at least their high school diplomas and eventually enroll in college.
“Sen. Wise is passionate about young people getting an education and is particularly concerned about high school dropouts. Pathways Academy is our Charter High School for dropouts. The program has been very successful and the students are graduating prepared for college but don’t have Bright Futures or other academic scholarships,” said Wallace. “Many come from fragmented families without resources to send their child to college. This is a fundraiser event to produce scholarships for these young people who need the scholarships now. Wise has never been roasted before and was a willing victim for the cause.”
Celine McArthur, the school’s director of community relations, will serve as host. She has also been gathering video clips over the past several weeks in which many of Wise’s friends and colleagues take their “shots.” Wallace said the two-hour program will feature both live and videotaped roasters.
“The roast will be a comedy show in the manner of David Letterman. All humor will be in good taste,” he said. “The audience does not have to know anything about politics to enjoy the humor. There will be short skits of real life hilarious events from Wise’s life performed by drama students. There is a lot of material on this guy.”
Wise’s wife Kathy will be there and there’s little doubt she’ll talk about how cheap he is and was, especially while they were dating in college.
“At the school, Cokes were five cents but you could get two for 11 cents and that was because you had to pay tax,” said Wise. “I would say, ‘Here’s your nickel. Get your own Coke.’ I am looking forward to it. The stuff I have seen so far is hysterical.”
Wise said he’s hoping for a good turnout. Over his 21 years in the Legislature, he’s made plenty of friends. Most them, he said, have been told of the roast and plan to either attend or contribute to the foundation or do both.
What: Roast for State Sen. Steve Wise
When: Sept. 17. Sponsor reception at 5:30 p.m. general reception at 6, roast from 7-9
Where: Wilson Center Theater at South Campus Florida State College at Jacksonville
Tickets: $2,500 for Gold level sponsorship; $1,000 for Silver level; $500 for Bronze; and $100 for individuals
Information: Call 632-3237 or send an e-mail to [email protected]
356-2466