Southeast man on short list for highways commission

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Duane Michie of Caruthers-ville is on Gov. Bob Holden's short list of nominees to fill the latest impending vacancy on the Missouri State Highways and Transportation Commission, according to several sources familiar with the situation.

The sources, who did not wish to be identified, said Michie, a Republican, is a leading candidate to replace commission vice chairman Edward D. Douglas of Chillicothe, whose term ends Dec. 1.

Michie, the chief executive officer of First State Bank & Trust Co. Inc. in Caruthers-ville, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

Jerry Nachtigal, Holden's spokesman, would neither confirm nor deny that Michie is under consideration.

Michie, who is also chairman of the Pemiscot County Port Authority, would serve a six-year term on the commission if appointed.

Douglas' replacement will be the third person Holden, a Democrat, has appointed to the independent, six-member governing board of the Department of Transportation in recent weeks.

Holden last week named Democrats Bill McKenna of Crystal City and Jim Anderson of Springfield to replace two commissioners whose terms ended Oct. 13. McKenna and Anderson will be sworn in Friday when the commission meets in Chillicothe.

However, all three Holden appointments are subject to confirmation by the majority Republican Senate after it convenes in January.

State Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, said Michie would make an excellent commissioner. Since Foster's legislative district includes Caruthersville, Foster would be responsible for sponsoring Michie's nomination in the Senate.

"He seems to be a very good choice; I haven't heard any negatives," Foster said. "He represents the port authority well. I would be glad to sponsor him based on all the information I have."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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