Al Sikes to sign his new book Saturday in Sikeston

Al Sikes, former Sikeston, Missouri, resident and an early pioneer of the rise of the Missouri Republican party under the leadership of Jack Danforth (who was elected state attorney general in 1968), took a position as assistant attorney general in the first breach in the Democratic political machine, which had controlled Missouri politics for over 30 years.

Kit Bond was elected state auditor in 1970 and governor in 1972, the year I joined the Missouri legislature for six years.

Bond, Danforth and Sikes (all of whom started in the attorney general's office, which bred other judges and congressmen) lived in a historic time in Missouri politics. Another assistant Missouri attorney general under Danforth is now U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Sikes went on to own a number of Missouri radio stations before becoming chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and eventually president of Hearst New Media.

"Sikes' bold leadership at the FCC eliminating barriers that blocked new technologies, helped lead to digital TV, radio and mobile phone services," Sikes' website reads. "He also began actions against Howard Stern that resulted in Stern wishing Sikes dead on his daily radio show."

Sikes is on a national book signing tour of his new book "Culture Leads Leaders Follow," which I highly recommend. He will be at the Sikeston Depot from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday for a book signing.

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Sherm Smith, a good friend of mine and former partner with me at the Dexter and Kennett newspapers, passed away last week.

He adapted his entrepreneurial skills in photography, newspaper management and real estate and his love of autos to start the Smith Classic Car Auction where his honesty, smile and integrity pioneered this Cape-located auction to its success.

An unexpected heart attack took him away from his family, friends and Dexter leadership. I, and others, miss him.

Gary Rust is the chairman of the board of Rust Communications.