Quarter supporters lobby Gov. Holden

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Supporters of a Columbia artist have hung a banner across from the Governor's Mansion in an attempt to lobby Missouri's first family to back a particular design for the state's commemorative quarter.

The banner went up Thursday afternoon on the top of the 10-story Governor's Office Building -- tough to view from the sidewalk but in clear sight from the mansion just across the street.

The sign contains a Web site address and urges: "Don't let the mint highjack our state pride."

Unbeknown to the artist's supporters, however, Gov. Bob Holden and his family had left earlier Thursday for a four-day vacation in New York.

"They will not see the sign for a while," said Nia Ray, chief of staff for first lady Lori Hauser Holden, who is spearheading the state's selection of its commemorative quarter.

Too little too late

Even then, it may be too late to make much of a difference, Ray said.

Artist Paul Jackson has been upset since the U.S. Mint retooled his quarter design -- the most popular among the several options submitted by the state to the federal government.

Jackson's design shows explorers Lewis and Clark paddling a canoe. In the distant background is the St. Louis Arch, symbolizing Missouri's role in westward expansion.

The modified U.S. mint version has a different, more prominent boat that is full of people. The arch remains, but Jackson's surrounding landscape has been cut back.

The first lady's office already has submitted Jackson's concerns to the mint.

But "the original design that Paul Jackson submitted is no longer an option according to the mint," Ray said.

Jackson's supporters want the Holdens to insist on his original design -- or at least allow people to vote on it via the Internet along with the mint's modified options.

Missouri's quarter design has been repeatedly delayed. Ray said she doesn't know when the mint's versions will be returned to the state nor when the Internet election will be held.

Jackson's marketing spokesman, Scott Miller, said former state Supreme Court Judge Edward "Chip" Robertson agreed to allow the banner to be hung from his law office. Robertson did not immediately return a telephone call Thursday.

Miller also said the word "highjack" on the banner was intentionally misspelled as a subtle jab at the mint.

"In the first redesign the mint sent back, the word 'bicentennial' was misspelled," Miller said. "We wanted the banner to be up to government standards."