GOVERNOR TO HONOR HUCKSTEP AS LOCAL OFFICIAL OF YEAR

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene E. Huckstep is being honored Friday with the "Governor's Award for Local Elected Official of the Year."

Gov. Mel Carnahan will present the award to Huckstep Friday morning at the conclusion of the governor's job training conference at the Lake of the Ozarks, sponsored by the State Division of Job Development and Training of the Department of Economic Development.

"This is a pretty special award and we are pleased that Gene will receive this," said Mary McBride, executive director of Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council, which submitted the nomination.

"Obviously with 15 PICs in the state, there is quite a bit of competition for this type of award. I've been wanting to recognize Huckstep's contributions over the years for some time," said McBride.

She explained that Huckstep has been chairman of the County Commissioners Association -- composed of one commissioner from each of the 13 counties in this council -- for the 10 years since the organization was started.

About 900 people are attending the conference. Huckstep will be one of only two people receiving individual awards this year. Recently, a video crew came to Jackson to film him working in the county administration building. It will be shown just prior to the presentation of his award.

"This is really a very special award and an honor for him to receive it," said McBride.

McBride noted that Huckstep was one of the council's "founding fathers" and "took a strong lead in the early formation of the PIC during the transition from CETA to JTPA.

"Under Gene's direction, the staff services of Cape Girardeau County employees, including the county auditor, handled all the fiscal and record-keeping requirements for the PIC during its early start-up and until such time as contractual arrangements could be made to begin operation of the PIC with hired staff."

She added, "Gene has been an active partner in PIC's affairs since its creation, and has continued to contribute his time and wisdom to the betterment of job training programs in Southeast Missouri. He has faithfully served during the entire existence of the PIC and holds a keen interest in its operation."

The councils were formed to administer the Job Training Partnership Act passed by Congress.

McBride pointed out that her organization is unique because it is a private corporation receiving federal funds.

"A lot of times people don't quite understand how we work, but Gene Huckstep has been wonderful. I'm glad he's on our team. He has been quite a supporter. We're certainly going to miss him," she said.

Huckstep, who has been presiding commissioner of Cape County since 1979, has announced he will not seek re-election next year.

In the nomination letter, McBride also pointed out that Huckstep has supported Southeast Missouri through his involvement in many community and regional groups.

Those include: the Lutheran Home, St. Francis Medical Center executive board, the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, Regional Commerce and Growth Association, Boatmen's Bank board of directors, the Missouri Association of Counties and Missouri Association of County Commissioners, Southeast Missouri District Fair Board, and Cape Chamber of Commerce.

He is a past member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education and is currently chairman of the Southeast Missouri Solid Waste Management District.

"Gene is being recommended for the Governor's Award for Local Elected Official of the Year because of his initial and continuing effective leadership role in providing a job training commitment to Southeast Missouri," McBride said.