BOLLINGER PROSECUTOR'S POST TO BECOME VACANT

MARBLE HILL -- There were no candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot for prosecuting attorney in Bollinger County, which means after Dec. 31 the job will be vacant unless Gov. Mel Carnahan appoints someone.

Democrat Paul Hahn, in his second four-year term, did not file for re-election. Hahn will begin working next year in Jackson with the Lichtenegger law firm.

Although he will continue to have an office in Marble Hill, Hahn said he has made a commitment to the law firm and is not interested in being appointed.

State law gives the governor authority to fill prosecutor vacancies. Since there are not many attorneys living in Bollinger County, the law allows Carnahan to name a nonresident to serve.

If a nonresident were appointed, the appointee could not legally file for the office in four years unless they had become a resident of the county.

Murry Dunn, chairman of the Bollinger County Democratic Central Committee, said the committee will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the Bollinger County Courthouse courtroom to make a recommendation for an appointee to the governor.

One Bollinger County resident who could be a potential prosecutor is Associate Circuit Judge Bill Hopkins. He lost a re-election bid last week after 20 years on the bench.

Dunn said as of Tuesday Hopkins had indicated he was not interested.

"My personal preference would be to recommend a local person if they had an interest," said Dunn.

Two candidates who have expressed an interest and will be interviewed are Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Kiser and Eric Taylor, an attorney from St. Joseph.

Dunn said others who express an interest would be considered Monday.

Kiser, who lives in Piedmont, could serve as prosecutor of both counties.

Hahn said there are several precedents for that happening.

Currently, Hahn serves as the assistant prosecutor in Wayne County and Kiser serves as the assistant in Bollinger County.

"I think if Jon were appointed he could handle the job in both counties," said Hahn. "He could be here when necessary, and has experience in a county similar to ours."

Dunn said he wants the committee to make a recommendation quickly so the position can be filled by Jan. 1.

The governor is not required to follow the Democratic committee's recommendation, although he normally does in filling vacant county offices.

Hahn said many people in the county are concerned and want to see it filled with a competent person.

"It would be nice to have this appointment well in advance of the end of the year because there is a certain amount of transition I would be able to assist with," said Hahn.

"There are too many things in this office to just dump this on somebody's lap Jan. 1. I want to avoid that if at all possible."