APPOINTMENT PLEASES AREA LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS PEOPLE

Gov. Mel Carnahan's appointment Thursday of State Rep. Joe Driskill to head the Missouri Department of Economic Development is drawing rave reviews from area legislators and people involved in business and job growth.

Everyone agrees that Driskill, who has earned a strong reputation during six terms in the Missouri House for economic development and business-related legislation, will move the state toward a new and more effective strategy for job creation.

"I certainly will hate to lose Joe from the legislature, but it would be impossible to find anybody better equipped - anybody who would have a better grasp of the Department of Economic Development than Joe," said Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett. "The trade-off is: the state will gain, but we will lose in the legislature."

In the Missouri House, Thomason noted, Driskill commands "a considerable amount of respect" because he is well-versed on the issues.

"It is hard to find a weakness in Joe's argument, and that makes him extremely effective on the floor," said Thomason.

"Joe is the kind of guy when he gets up on the floor and speaks for or against things, people take note of what he says."

Praise for Driskill's appointment crossed party lines. Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, termed Driskill "an excellent choice.

"I'm excited about a Southeast Missourian in a key cabinet position and I think he will prove himself to be an able leader in economic development efforts. I look forward to working with him," added Kinder.

"I have always worked well with him in the past and will do so again."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, agrees that having someone familiar with the needs of Southeast Missouri in charge of the department will be a big benefit.

"He is definitely somebody we can call and he will understand our problems," said Ziegenhorn. "Joe is well-deserving; this has been his area of expertise for years.

"He will make us proud and will definitely be out searching for things the state needs - especially jobs."

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hendrix said he has known Driskill for a long time and has no doubt he will be outstanding in his new post.

"He has the background both from the business standpoint and the government standpoint to know what needs to be done in economic development," said Hendrix.

"...He has an understanding of our problems and what will bring Missouri to the forefront in creating jobs."

Carnahan has called for a major re-direction of the state's economic development efforts - a move Hendrix agrees with.

"I think the direction they are heading is good. I have talked with Joe about where the department needs to go, and I don't disagree with him at all," said Hendrix.

"Joe is a very fair individual and he is not going to get parochial toward any part of the state, which is what I think we are looking for. He has some plans to solidify the office and make it even more professional."

Another admirer of Driskill is Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, whose district borders Driskill's.

Like Thomason, Richardson anticipates big things from Driskill in his new job but feels the legislative branch will miss his leadership.

"I'm very sad to see him leave the House. Even though we are on opposite sides of the aisle, we have worked very well together. I have found him to be of very high integrity and a very effective legislator."

Richardson added that Driskill has been "very conscientious" during his career and has tried hard to reflect the feelings of the people he represents.

Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, agrees with Richardson's view of their colleague.

"Joe is a fine legislator. He has great ideas, he has a conservative bent and understands issues," said Kasten.

"This is an excellent choice and I wish him well. I plan to work very hard with him and know he will have the interests of the whole state at heart, and hopefully, just a little extra bit of interest in Southeast Missouri.

"We on our side of aisle have appreciated him because he is fair and a person of his word."

Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, who is Driskill's state senator and will sponsor his nomination before the chamber, predicted swift confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

"I think he will be a good director," said Howard. "He's conscientious, and certainly concerned about the welfare of the state of Missouri."

Ed Dust, executive vice president of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, is excited about having someone he knows well heading up the department.

Dust is enthusiastic about proposed changes the governor and Driskill plan for the Department of Economic Development.

"I am real excited about the direction that department will take under Joe's direction," said Dust.