WILDMAN TO SERVE ON STATE TRANSITION PANEL

JEFFERSON CITY - An advisory group on economics and agriculture to Gov.-elect Mel Carnahan will be holding its first meeting this afternoon in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, chairman of the House Commerce Committee, is co-chairman of the panel with Tom Irwin, a top aide to St. Louis County Executive Buzz Westfall.

Also serving in the 41-member committee from the area are Walt Wildman of Cape Girardeau, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, and state Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, who is vice chairman of the commerce committee.

Eight different transition advisory groups have been appointed to make recommendations to Carnahan on the various departments and agencies of state government.

Written recommendations will be submitted to Carnahan by Dec. 18.