DEMS TO PICK CORONER CANDIDATE

The Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to vote on a candidate for coroner.

The meeting will be at the Cape Girardeau County Administrative Building in Jackson, Mo.

The committee's recommendation will be sent to the governor's office, and the governor will make the appointment to fill the post left vacant by the death of longtime Coroner John Carpenter. Carpenter, who had suffered from colon cancer, died Monday at his home.

The person appointed to the post will serve the four-year term that begins Jan. 1.

"There is a sense that we need to get this done," said Tom Neumeyer, Democratic committee chairman.

Neumeyer said people interested in serving as coroner will be allowed to speak to the committee. At least five people have expressed interest in the position, and they will be asked to provide a resume and make a five-minute presentation to the committee.

After that, the committee will take a paper ballot vote, Neumeyer said. The committee has about 50 members.

Neumeyer said the results of the balloting will be submitted to the governor's office.

"I want to give the governor the best possible picture," he said.