Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted three finalists recommended to him by the Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee for an unscheduled vacancy on the Metropolitan Council in 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.  The vacancy occurred as a result of the resignation of Mary Krinkie on May 9, 2005.  Krinkie had been a member of the Metropolitan Council since July 2004.  Eight people applied for this position.  The finalists are John Q. Doan, John M. Kysylyczyn, and Fred E. Meyer.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today appointed eight citizen conservationists to serve on the newly created Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund Advisory Task Force.  The Task Force was created during the past legislative session to examine the process for expenditures from the trust fund and is expected to issue a report by February 15, 2006.  The Task Force includes 16 members, eight appointed by the Governor and eight appointed by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lorie S. Gildea to a Fourth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in Hennepin County.  The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Myron S. Greenberg on March 1, 2005.  Twenty-eight people applied for this position.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Diane R. Alshouse and Robert A. Awsumb to two Second Judicial District trial court bench vacancies in Ramsey County.  The first vacancy occurred with the Supreme Court’s conversion of a vacant referee position into a district court judgeship. The second vacancy occurred as a result of the resignation of the Honorable Louise Dovre Bjorkman on April 8, 2005.  Thirty-nine people applied for these positions.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lorie S. Gildea to a Fourth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in Hennepin County.  The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Myron S. Greenberg on March 1, 2005.  Twenty-eight people applied for this position.

Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Ardis Sandstrom to the State Rehabilitation Council.