BOLLINGER PANNEL RECOMMENDS PROSECUTOR

MARBLE HILL -- The Bollinger County Democratic Central Committee has voted to recommend to Gov. Mel Carnahan that he appoint a Cape Girardeau lawyer Bollinger County prosecutor.

At a meeting Monday night, the committee heard from three candidates before deciding to recommend that the name of Scott Reynolds be submitted to the governor.

Murry Dunn, chairman of the committee, said the vote was not unanimous, but he wouldn't reveal how many votes each candidate got.

"He had a very impressive resume, and can be a good, young prosecutor for Bollinger County," said Dunn. "He gave us a great display of courtroom rhetoric."

Also seeking the committee's endorsement were Bollinger County Associate Circuit Judge Bill Hopkins, who lost his re-election bid, and Eric Taylor, a St. Joseph lawyer.

The prosecutor, Paul Hahn, did not seek re-election to a third, four-year term. Since no one filed for the office, it becomes vacant Jan. 1, and must be filled by the governor.

There are some legal issues concerning residency that still need to be resolved before the governor makes a decision. The governor is not required to follow the recommendation of the central committee.

State law allows the governor to appoint a nonresident to fill a vacancy as prosecutor if no qualified resident of the county wants the job. But some of the wording in the statutes are ambiguous.

It is not clear whether Carnahan would be required to appoint Hopkins because he is a resident of Bollinger County who wants the job, or if a nonresident could qualify for the appointment by moving to the county.

"I am currently prepared to move out there, concurrent with the appointment," said Reynolds. "The residency is a touchy issue. The governor may look at the residency statute and interpret it to mean that you have to live there to be appointed."

Dunn said the residency question was discussed by the committee and statutes were reviewed, and the committee determined that Reynolds was qualified to be appointed.

Reynolds, 32, is the son of Cape Girardeau County Assessor Jerry Reynolds, who has been a Democratic officeholder since 1977.

When he decided to seek the appointment, Reynolds said it was his understanding that Hopkins was not interested and that no Bollinger County residents wanted the position.

"I was surprised to learn Saturday that Bill was interested," said Reynolds. "I am friends with Bill Hopkins and have a great deal of respect for him."

Reynolds said he is pleased to have the committee's recommendation and realizes the ultimate decision is up to Carnahan.

"I was very honored to get their recommendation," he said. "I think I have the work ethic and legal experience to serve the county as prosecutor and to do a great job.

"The governor still has to make the appointment, and I trust him to look at all the statutes and factors concerned and make the decision. All I want is what is in the best interests of Bollinger County."

Reynolds has been out of law school for four and one-half years. Before returning to Cape Girardeau to practice law he worked in the Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis and was an assistant county prosecutor. Reynolds said he disposed of 40 to 50 cases each week in that job.

While in law school, Reynolds served as a law clerk for Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.