SEN. CARNAHAN OPENS REGIONAL OFFICE IN CAPE

U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan broke a 14-year tradition of regional office sharing in Cape Girardeau by the state's two senators, opening her doors on Broadway in the H&H Building.

The move resolved the question of whether Carnahan, a Democrat, would have a permanent presence in predominantly Republican Cape Girardeau County.

She was appointed in January after her husband, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, died in a plane crash but was elected to the post. He beat out U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft, a Republican whose regional staff shared space with Sen. Christopher Bond in Cape Girardeau's Federal Building.

Ashcroft went on to become U.S. attorney general.

Carnahan spokesman Tony Wyche said the senator considered sharing space with Bond.

"In the end, we made the decision that Sen. Carnahan would open an office on her own," he said. "This allows her to work on the issues she has focused on."

The suite in the H&H Building costs $1,200 a month. Ashcroft's old office furniture is in use there.

Rich Lamb, a Sikeston, Mo., native and former aide to Gov. Carnahan, will man the office and conduct mobile office hours throughout Southeast Missouri. He most recently worked as a fund raiser for Southeast Missouri State University's foundation.

"We want to help individuals and communities with any challenges they have with government and any opportunities that are out there," Lamb said.

He can be reached at 400 Broadway, Suite 502, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701, or (573) 651-0964.

Tom Schulte, who represents Bond in Southeast Missouri, said regional offices help senators stay in touch with Missourians.

"This district is very diverse," he said. "We have the Delta and the Ozarks. Having someone here to learn about both of them firsthand is important."

The rent and operation costs for Bond's office was unavailable late Thursday.