Burch selected to commission

JEFFERSON CITY - Bill Burch of Sikeston will serve on the Appellate Judicial Commission. Burch's appointment was announced by Gov. Bob Holden.

The Appellate Judicial Commission accepts applications and selects three candidates to fill judicial vacancies on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, without regard to political affiliation. The governor can only appoint one of the three candidates.

A Supreme Court judge and two resident citizens from each of the three court of appeals districts makes up the seven-member commission. In selecting the citizen members, one attorney is elected from each district by the Missouri Bar members in that district and one member who is not an attorney is appointed from each district by the governor.

Burch replaces Dr. Ruth Bamberger, who resigned, and his appointment becomes effective New Year's Day.

Burch, owner of Burch Food Services, earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. A member of the Sikeston Jaycees, he served as past national director of the U.S. Jaycees. The former Sikeston mayor, he is also a member and past president of the Sikeston Lions Club.