Voting begins for Extension Council members

Southeast Missourian ~ Cape Girardeau County residents have the opportunity to vote for members of the University of Missouri Extension Council, according to a news release from the extension.

The ballot will be printed in the Wednesday edition of the Southeast Missourian.

Ballots also are available at the extension center in Jackson, other locations in the county and online at extension.missouri.edu/capegirardeau. Ballots may be returned by mail or taken to the extension center, 684 W. Jackson Trail in Jackson, or dropped in the other ballot boxes on or before Jan. 31.

To complete a ballot, vote for eight of the 10 nominees listed by placing an X in the box in front of the nominee's name(s).

Nominees are Cape Girardeau residents Avon Crocker, Megan J. Franke, Paul Hoeflinger, William E. Meyer, Steven Peel and Larry Simon; Jackson residents Sue Jones and Dan O'Laughlin; Stephen Golden of Burfordville; and Wib W. Welker of Gordonville.

The following is information about each of the nominees:

* Avon Crocker: Homemaker and home economist; former 4-H and Girl Scout leader; Centenary United Methodist choir; United Methodist Women; Sunday school; casserole committee; Fish volunteer; Grandparent's Raising Grandchildren support group; and volunteer mentor with Missouri Mentoring Program.

* Megan J. Franke: Retired teacher and school Counselor; master gardener helping with Eating from the Garden program at South Elementary in Jackson; former Sunday school superintendent; former Boy Scouts leader; and recycling advocate.

* Stephen Golden: Cow and calf producer; bachelor's degree in business administration; master gardener and tree farmer; former 4-H member and leader; and FFA alumnus.

* Paul Hoeflinger: Self-employed, Infinity Recycling Solutions; guest speaker at small-business class; SEMO Food Bank supporter; and interests include camping and fishing.

* Sue Jones: Retired; secretary of Cape Girardeau County Extension Council; member of Town & Country FCE Club, which sponsors treats and parties to Cottonwood and Parkview Schools.

* William E. Meyer: Retired; Southeast Missouri University professor emeritus; treasurer of Cape Girardeau County Extension Council; member and elder of West End Church of Christ; secretary-treasurer of High Noon Toastmaster Club; past member of Cape County Farm Bureau Board.

* Dan O'Loughlin: President of Cape Girardeau County Extension Council; served on Extension Council from 2006 to 2010.

* Steven Peel: Owner of Seed Solutions LLC; passion is helping area farmers obtain the most out of their farms by maximizing the farm's potential.

* Larry Simon: Retired supervising engineer at AmerenUE; owner of LCS Refinishing; current member of Cape Girardeau County Extension Council; teach "Eating from the Garden" at Jackson South Elementary; member and past president and secretary of Southeast Missouri Black and Gold Chapter of Mizzou Alumni Association; and Deputy Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 11205.

* Wib W. Welker: Farmer; 4-H member as a youth; attend extension sponsored activities and meetings; and member of the Gordonville Fire Protection District.