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The Capitol Struggled to Return to Business Monday

October 23, 2000
By: Rodger Oakes
State Capital Bureau

State employees went back to work on Monday, not knowing what to expect. I'm Rodger Oakes for Missouri Capitol Caucus.

The normal sounds of state government were mixed with a concert from the Royal Dutch Symphonic Band as flowers and black bows lined the inside of the capitol Monday.

Inside the State offices, the focus was on business as usual...however hard that might have been.

Betsy Byers, the Deputy Secretary of State for Elections, said the whole capitol had a somber attitude, but her office was working as best they could.

Actuality:Byers
RunTime: 17s
OutCue:
Contents: Byers said the secretary of state's office is getting calls about the Governor and the election and her office is trying to answer those questions.

Carnahan's name will remain on the ballot for U.S. Senate, and if he were to win, Governor Roger Wilson would appoint someone to the seat.

The State Auditor's office was also working Monday morning, and worked all of last week as well. However, today was not easy for anyone, said State Auditor Claire McCaskill.

Actuality:Mccskl
RunTime: 21s
OutCue: the governor is not with us anymore.
Contents: McCaskill says today is the hardest day because there is no funeral or memorial service to plan for or attend and today the reality sets in that the governor is not with us.

Governor Wilson allowed members of Mel Carnahan's personal staff to take the day off in light of the weekend's events. In fact, Wilson was not at work today either. He was attending the funeral of his cousin, William Boyd Wilson, in Columbia. Other state employees were out of the office campaigning for the upcoming elections.

But, for the people in the State Capitol Monday, the echoes of the Dutch Band rang through the day. And, the echoes of a fallen governor did as well.

For Missouri Capitol Caucus, I'm Rodger Oakes.