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R.I. Governor renominates 3 to commerce board; no move yet on 195 commission appointments [The Providence Journal, R.I. :: ]
[February 26, 2014]

R.I. Governor renominates 3 to commerce board; no move yet on 195 commission appointments [The Providence Journal, R.I. :: ]


(Providence Journal (RI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 26--PROVIDENCE -- Governor Chafee has nominated three people to continue in their roles on the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's board of directors after their terms expired on Feb. 1.



Those nominations include Karl Wadensten, the one member of the agency formerly called the Economic Development Corporation who voted against the controversial $75-million loan deal for Curt Schilling's former video-game company, 38 Studios. Wadensten is president of VIBCO Vibrators in Richmond.

He and the two others renominated -- Oscar T. "Tim" Hebert, CEO of Atrion Networking Corp,. in Warwick; and Elizabeth Francis, executive director of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities -- would serve another four-year term. As with all of the governor's appointments to boards and commissions, the three must be approved by the Senate before the nominations are finalized.


The nominations have been referred to the Senate's commerce committee. No hearing dates have yet been set, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said Tuesday.

Hebert and Francis were among eight new nominees Chafee selected last year after the board's active membership had dwindled to five following the 38 Studios collapse. As former Red Sox pitcher Schilling's company spiraled toward bankruptcy last spring, Chafee ordered all directors who had approved the loan deal to step down. In the end, only Rhode Island AFL-CIO President George H. Nee, who refused to step down, remained on the board despite having voted yes for the Schilling deal.

The board terms for Hebert and Francis soon expired, however, because they were appointed to continue terms of former board members. Three directors' terms expire each February.

Meanwhile, Chafee has made no move yet with regard to three commissioners on another key economic commission whose terms expired on Oct. 3.

Those Route 195 Redevelopment District Commission members -- Barrett W. Bready, Diana L. Johnson and Barbara A. Hunger -- continue to serve until either they're renominated and approved by the Senate or replacements gain Senate approval.

"The governor is happy with the performance of the 195 Commission," Chafee spokeswoman Faye Zuckerman said Tuesday. "They continue to serve until a replacement is named, and that board is in good shape." ___ (c)2014 The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.) Visit The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.) at www.projo.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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