DRISKILL A GOOD CHOICE FOR DEVELOPMENT CHIEF

The Missouri Senate is expected today to confirm the nomination of Joe Driskill as head of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. We commend Gov. Mel Carnahan's selection for this post and hope the Senate supplies speedy and overwhelming approval. We believe Joe Driskill is a terrific choice for

this office, combining governmental experience with vigor and an understand~ing that all Missourians, not just those in metropolitan areas, deserve investment in the state's economic potential.

Evidence of Rep. Driskill's worthiness for this office can be found in the broad spectrum of praise generated by his nomination. Lawmakers from both political parties hailed the sixth-term state representative as open-minded and dedicated; Driskill never was one to practice "in-your-face" politics or heavy-handed partisanship, thus leaving bridges he crossed in his career unburned. State business leaders have likewise lauded Driskill's selection, citing the representative's work in moving to passage such legislation as the 1989 Rural Economic Development Act and the more recent JOBS 2000 package. His interest in the cultivation of business enterprises landed him a position as chairman of the House Commerce Committee.

One of the reasons Driskill has remained alert to the problems inherent in accelerating the Missouri economy, and especially sensitive to the plight of rural areas in attracting jobs, is his representation of some of the poorest counties in the state. If job creation is a priority statewide, it is particularly important to counties like Ripley, where double-digit unemployment numbers are the norm. Any economic development leader will know the value of landing a major factory for the state; Driskill will know that, plus the impact a few dozen jobs in Piedmont or Doniphan.

For this reason, Rep. Driskill seems uniquely suited for his new job. While just 37, he has 16 years of experience in Jefferson City, as an intern, as a lobbyist, as a staffer in the treasurer's office and as a legislator. And though knowing the workings of the capitol, he has not lost touch with his constituents. His values are those spawned in a small town. Driskill claims himself unabashedly as a public servant during a time when many people find it fashionable to disparage government leaders. We believe he will bring some Southeast Missouri common sense to the Department of Economic Development and look forward to his assumption of the job.