OLIVER EYES HIGHWAY COMMISSION CHAIRMANSHIP

Cape Girardeau attorney John L. Oliver, Jr. could be in line to become chairman of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission when the group re-organizes within the next few months.

Oliver, who was appointed to the commission by Gov. John Ashcroft, has two years remaining on his six-year term. He presently is serving as vice chairman of the commission.

The term of the present chairman, Harry T. Morley, a St. Louis Republican, expires Dec. 1 and he will likely be replaced by Gov. Mel Carnahan. Morley will continue to serve, however, until a replacement is named.

Since Carnahan is a Democrat, the next chairman of the six member commission will also likely be a Democrat, although that is not a certainty. Besides Oliver, the other Democrats on the highway commission are Carol L. Williamson of Springfield, who was appointed the same time as Oliver, and Tom Bolen of Hannibal, who has four years left on his term.

"If Harry's replacement is named before our December meeting, then the election will likely come at our December meeting," explained Oliver. "It is purely a democratic process. Somebody will nominate, and there will be an election."

Oliver said he is very interested in becoming chairman of the commission, but points out the final decision rests with other commission members.

But although the commission elects its own chairman, in the past most governor's have made it known who they prefer to have as chairman of the highway commission, as well as many other state boards and commissions.

Chris Sifford, communications director for Carnahan, said he expects the governor to pick a successor to Morley as chairman.

"The governor will likely throw his support to one person, though I don't know who that person is yet," said Sifford. "The governor has quite a bit of influence on the final decision."

Oliver said he is very interested in having an opportunity to chair the highway commission.

"If the situation warrants, I would very much like to be chairman until the governor gets a chance to appoint another Democrat to the commission," said Oliver.

The state highway and transportation commission has three Democrats and three Republicans, and oversees Missouri's 32,000 miles of highways. In addition, the commission is responsible for all other transportation in the state.

Seats on the highway commission are among the most prestigious appointments a governor has the opportunity to make.