Locke Appoints Area Residents To Panels

Gov. Gary Locke announced Friday that two Spokane residents and a Pullman resident will fill positions on state panels.

Linda Lopez-George, an associate director at Gonzaga University, will join the Commission on Hispanic Affairs. The panel, which consists of 11 members appointed by the governor for three-year terms, makes recommendations to state agencies and the governor on assistance needed by the Hispanic community.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael Donohue will sit on the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, which recommends sentences for felony offenses and studies statewide sentencing practices. The panel consists of 20 voting members, 16 of whom are appointed by the governor for three-year terms.

Dr. Rom Markin of Pullman will work on the 17-member Washington Economic Development Finance Authority, which helps small and medium-sized businesses.