News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 18, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appoints new members to the Horse Racing Commission

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today announced the appointment of four new members to the Washington State Horse Racing Commission.

Two of the appointees will fill new positions created by the 1997 Legislature. The two other new appointees are replacing members who resigned from their posts. Since 1933 every new governor has made significant changes in the membership of the Horse Racing Commission.

The new members to the commission are:

Hartly Kruger, president and general manager of the Spokane Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. A resident of Spokane, Kruger has a strong background in the tourism industry. From 1969-1982, he was president and general manger of the Seattle King County Convention and Visitors Bureau. From 1966 to 1969, he was general manger of the Oakland, Calif., Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kruger is taking one of the two new seats on the commission. Kruger's term expires Jan. 17, 2002.

Patrick H. LePley, a Bellevue attorney, will fill the other new position on the commission. He is extensively involved in state horse racing and breeds race horses. From 1986 to 1992, he was legal counsel to Washington owners and trainers. LePley's term expires Jan. 17, 2000.

Guy Roberts, a horse breeder from Sunnyside, is past president of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association. His Guy Bar Farm was one of the leading Washington breeders in 1996 and 1997, based on race results and earnings. Roberts replaces James Seabeck, who resigned from the commission. Roberts' term expires Jan. 17, 2001.

Dolores Sibonga, of Coupeville, is a former member of the Seattle City Council and a current board member of the Art Institute of Seattle. While on the council, she chaired the following committees: Finance, Management and Budget; Personnel and Property Management; and Parks and Recreation Public Grounds. She replaces Robert Plut, who resigned from the commission. Sibonga's term expires Jan. 17, 1999.

The Horse Racing Commission regulates and supervises all horse race meets held in Washington state that have pari-mutuel wagering.

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