Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 3, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces appointments to Growth Management, Personnel Appeals and Pollution Control boards

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today announced appointments to several state boards and commissions, including one reappointment to each of the three growth management hearings boards in Washington State.

The hearings boards rule on disputes that arise from county and city growth-planning policies in their respective regions.

Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board

Les Eldridge of Olympia has been named to a second term on the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. Eldridge served as a Thurston County commissioner from 1983-92 and served as both an assistant to the president and as director of financial aid and placement at The Evergreen State College. He also has extensive experience in growth management issues, adjudication and dispute resolution, intergovernmental relations, historic preservation, environment, trade development, economic and community development, health and human services and higher education. He will earn $78,354 annually, and his term will expire June 30, 2004.

Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board

Joseph Tovar of Bellevue was reappointed for another term with the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board. Tovar served as the planning director and land use planning for the City of Kirkland. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and has been a featured speaker at numerous events focusing on growth management issues. He will earn $78,354 annually, and his term will expire June 30, 2004.

Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board

D.E. "Skip" Chilberg of Deer Park was reappointed to another term with the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. Chilberg is a graduate of the University of Idaho and is a former Spokane County commissioner. He has served as the Idaho state budget director and as director of administration for the state of Idaho. He has served on the boards of directors for the Northwest Housing Council, the Washington Coalition for Rural Housing, and the Northwest Regional Foundation. He will earn $78,354 annually, and his term will expire June 30, 2004.

Personnel Appeals Board

Walter T. Hubbard of Seattle was named to the Personnel Appeals Board, which hears appeals on personnel matters for state employees. Hubbard will leave his current job as executive director of Midtown Commons, a non-profit community development corporation with the City of Seattle, before assuming a position on the appeals board on July 20, 1998. Hubbard previously worked as a consultant in strategic planning for businesses and served on the Washington State Board for Prison Terms and Parole. He also served as a contract compliance specialist for Washington State Human Rights Commission. He is a trustee of the Municipal League of Seattle, a member of the American Corrections Association, a member of the Board of Regents of Seattle University and has held membership in a number of public service organizations. Hubbard's salary will be $68,807 annually. His term on the appeals board will end July 26, 2003.

Pollution Control/Shorelines Hearings Board

Robert V. Jensen of Lacey was reappointed to the Pollution Control/Shorelines Hearings Board. He has served as chief executive officer of the Environmental Hearings Office, as an assistant attorney general for the state of Washington and as chief counsel of the Washington Department of General Administration. He is a member of the board of directors for the Olympia Area YMCA and has served as a member of the Lacey City Council and the Lacey Planning Commission.

Jensen will earn an annual salary of $72,351. His term will end June 30, 2004.

The board hears appeals on decisions and orders of the Department of Ecology and air pollution control boards or authorities. Members also hear appeals of any person appealing the granting, denying or rescinding of a permit on shorelines.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive