LOCAL METEOROLOGIST GIVEN JAYCEES AWARD

Secretary of State Bekki Cook wants to replace Missouri's political caucuses with a presidential primary.

Cook supports legislation to establish a primary that would be held in April of every presidential election year.

If state lawmakers approve such a measure this session, Missouri could hold a presidential primary in 2000, Cook said in an interview following a speech Monday night to the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

The Jaycees presented the Distinguished Service Award to KFVS-TV meteorologist Charles G. Neese IV for his civic contributions. The award is given annually to an individual who is between 21 and 39 years of age and has contributed to the community.

About 40 people attended Monday night's banquet at the Drury Lodge.

By holding the primary on the same date as municipal elections, the state would avoid the added expense of holding a separate election, Cook said.

Cook said her office has heard from the public on the issue. Missourians want an April election even if that means the state won't be a key battleground in presidential primary campaigns.

In recent election years, the parties' nominees for president have been determined early in the primary season, she said.

An April primary probably wouldn't put Missouri in the national campaign spotlight, Cook said.

Neese was singled out for the Distinguished Service Award for his charitable efforts. He co-hosted the local segments of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon for three years. He has chaired the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign and the United Way fund drive.

Neese also is an American Red Cross volunteer, works with Habitat for Humanity and is a Bible study leader at La Croix United Methodist Church.

He was chosen by the Missouri Jaycees as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Missourians.

Laurel Adkisson, financial services officer at Commerce Bank, was named Boss of the Year.

She was nominated by two of her employees. Adkisson was recognized for her support of her employees' participation in the Jaycees, and her contributions to the Toybox program, Riverfest and other activities.

Adkisson received the Jaycees' Distinguished Service Award in 1995. She also was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Missourians.

Cook praised the work of the state's civic clubs in her speech to the Jaycees. "Service clubs are the heart of volunteerism in almost any community," she said. Service clubs help bring people together, she said.

As secretary of state, Cook said she wants to trumpet the message of community service and good will around the state.

She pointed out the last line of the Jaycees' creed, which states that "service to humanity is the best work of life."

"That's a really good creed," said Cook.