Saint Paul – 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 16. The vacancy occurred with the resignation of Brian McDaniel on January 1, 2009. District 16 includes the Dakota County cities of Apple Valley, Coates, the southern portion of Eagan, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Lakeville, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Rosemount, and Vermillion; and the Dakota County Townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion, and Waterford. Sixteen people applied for this position, two of whom subsequently withdrew their applications. The finalists are Christy Jo Fogarty, Mary Riley, and Wendy Wulff.

Fogarty, of Farmington, is a dental hygienist with New Art Dentistry in Hastings. She is completing a dental hygiene degree program at Metropolitan State University, holds dental hygienist and dental assisting registrations from Normandale Community College. Fogarty has been a member of the Farmington City Council since 2003, serves on the Metropolitan Urban Services Area Committee, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Authority, Empire/Farmington Joint Planning Committee, Farmington/Castle Rock Discussion Group, Farmington Water Vulnerability Assessment Task Force, Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission, Community Center Steering Committee, Recreational Facilities Task Force, Farmington Park and Recreations Task Force, and is an alternate member of the Apple Valley/Lakeville/Farmington Ambulance Board.

Riley, of Rosemount, is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Burnet. She chairs the Rosemount Port Authority, is treasurer of the SKB Community Trust Board, is a member of the Regional Dakota County Chamber of Commerce, the Rosemount High School Parent Communication Network, and volunteers at the River Valley Church in Apple Valley. Riley was a member of the Rosemount City Council from 2000 to 2004, and has served on the Rosemount Redevelopment Committee, Leprechaun Days Committee, Rosemount High School Senior Party Committee, has been a church Sunday school teacher, and was president of the Irishette Booster Club.

Wulff, of Lakeville, is a self-employed web designer. She served in the United States Army Reserve from 1983 to 2000, and was a library technician with the Department of Defense from 1988 to 1990. Wulff holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology. Wulff has been a member of the Lakeville City Council since 2003, and serves on the League of Minnesota Cities Board, Minnesota Women in City Government Board, Metropolitan Council Land Use Advisory Committee, Transportation Advisory Board, Metropolitan Legislative Commission Board, and the Cedar Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Group. She was also a member and past chair of the Lakeville Planning Commission.

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.