SCOTT COUNTY REPUBLICANS NOMINATE NEW PROSECUTOR

BENTON -- The Scott County Republican Committee Tuesday night nominated assistant prosecutor Cristy Baker-Neel to fill the vacancy left by Scott County Prosecutor David Dolan. Dolan assumed duties as Scott County Associate Circuit judge on Monday.

Ervin Arnzen, vice-chairman of the Scott County Republican Committee, said that Gov. John Ashcroft promised to appoint a replacement for Dolan before the governor leaves office next Monday.

The Scott County Democratic Party had previously nominated Frank Marshall to assume Dolan's position, but Arnzen feels confident that Ashcroft - a Republican - will appoint Baker-Neel to serve out the remaining two years of Dolan's term.

"It is our opinion that if Gov. Ashcroft makes an appointment before he leaves office, it will be Cristy Baker-Neel," Arnzen said.

Baker-Neel was selected over Marshall and Ella Boone, a Scott County public defender.

Arnzen said that Boone was eliminated - among other things - because she lives in Jackson.

"I'm a little surprised; I didn't expect them to make a recommendation so soon," Baker-Neel said Tuesday night. "I'm very pleased that I was chosen."

Baker-Neel, a Republican, is a sixth generation resident of Scott County.

"I've lived here all my life, except for when I was in school and when I clerked in a court of appeals in Kansas City after law school," Baker-Neel said.

Arnzen said that part of the reason Baker-Neel was selected for the prosecutor's position was her familiarity with the job and the fact that she is from the area.

She graduated from Sikeston High School and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia to earn a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation and her law degree.

Baker-Neel has practiced criminal law for 7 years as a public defender in Stoddard, Mississippi and Scott counties, in private practice and as an assistant prosecutor under Dolan.

Gov. Ashcroft will be faxed a copy of the committee's recommendation this morning. The committee expects a reply before Friday.