SCOTT CITIAN CHOSEN FOR SCOTT COMMISSION

BENTON -- The 14 members of the Scott County Democratic Central Committee chose one of their own Tuesday night to fill the vacant seat on the Scott County Commission.

Wayne Petitt, a 27-year-old corporate administrator from Scott City, was elected to fill the unexpired term on the Scott County Commission. He also serves on the committee.

The seat on the three-member board opened up last month when Associate Commissioner Joe Spalding, a Democrat, died after an extended illness. One year remains on Spalding's term.

The committee met with potential candidates Tuesday night in the circuit courtroom of the county courthouse. About 30 people had expressed an interest in the position but only 17 candidates attended the meeting.

About 50 people, including several county employees, Associate Circuit Judge David Mann, Prosecuting Attorney Cristy Baker-Neel and County Clerk Rita Milam, were at the meeting.

The candidates ranged from Oran Mayor Louie Hirschowitz to former commissioners Durwood Dover and Dewaine Shaffer and also included several area businessmen and farmers.

Each of the 17 candidates was allowed three minutes to explain why the position interested them. The committee then met in closed session.

After 45 minutes, Chairman Michael G. Marshall announced that Petitt had been selected.

Now the committee must prepare a biographical sketch of Petitt and pass that information on to Gov. Mel Carnahan, who will decide whether to make the appointment.

All replacement candidates for unexpired terms of elected offices must be appointed by the governor.

Petitt is a native of the county. He was elected to the Scott City Board of Education in 1990. He and his wife Kim have two children, ages 5 and 2 months.

Marshall said this wasn't the first time the county has had to select a replacement candidate. Over the last few years, the committee has chosen a prosecuting attorney and a nominee for circuit clerk.

Since Petitt was both a committee member and candidate, he had to leave the jury room three times while the other members voted.

"I was on pins and needles," Petitt said. "I was surprised but it was nerve-wracking."

Selecting a committee member didn't necessarily make the task more difficult, just more awkward, Marshall said.

"It was a close vote," Marshall said. "We didn't want a caretaker who sits back and reacts to the people or the business."