Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Kris Sanda to the Metropolitan Council.  Sanda will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mary Krinkie in Metropolitan Council District 10.  District 10 includes the Anoka County cities of Blaine, Circle Pines and Lexington, and the Ramsey County cities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, and Shoreview, and the portion of Spring Lake Park that lies in Ramsey County.

"Kris Sanda will bring to the Metropolitan Council her considerable experience in government, as well as an impressive record of community service," Governor Pawlenty said.  "She is the kind of person who is not afraid to ask tough questions and push for cost-effective solutions to difficult problems."

Sanda, of Blaine, served as director of the Office of Consumer Services from 1979 to 1983 under Governor Al Quie and as commissioner of the Department of Public Service from 1991 to 1999 under Governor Arne Carlson.  More recently, she has served as a member of the Board of Medical Practice under Governors Jesse Ventura and Pawlenty.

In recent years, Sanda has been deeply involved in transportation issues, serving on Blaine's Transportation Committee and the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board (TAB).  The 33-member TAB, composed of local government officials, transportation experts and citizens, advises the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation on transportation planning and programming in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

"Kris Sanda's experience on transportation issues will be enormously helpful as the as the Metropolitan Council works to expand our multi-modal transportation system and slow the growth in traffic congestion," Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell said.  "Moreover, Kris' background equips her to be a strong representative for District 10."

Sanda's involvement in the community has included service as president of the Minnesota Lutheran Social Service Foundation, a consumer representative on the Medica Board and vice president of the St. Paul Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Metropolitan Council coordinates planning and development in the seven county metropolitan area and directly operates several regional services.  The Metropolitan Council consists of 16 metropolitan citizens appointed from geographically defined districts in the seven county metropolitan area and a chair.  All 17 members are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms that are co-terminus with the Governor.