Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Lynette Boyer, Merle Ford, and Rebecca Kragnes to the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.

Lynette Boyer, of Otsego, is the Treasurer of the Minnesota Deaf-Blind Association. She is appointed as the Council member who is a representative of the deaf-blind community. This is a new position on the Council. Boyer is appointed to the remainder of a four-year term ending January 1, 2007.

Merle Ford, of Columbia Heights, serves on the Board of Directors of United Blind of Minnesota. He is appointed as the Council member who is a representative of an advocacy organization (United Blind of Minnesota). This is a new position on the Council. Ford is appointed to the remainder of a four-year term ending January 1, 2007.

Rebecca Kragnes, of Minneapolis, serves as Vice President of the American Council of the Blind—Minnesota. She is appointed as the Council member who is a representative of an advocacy organization (American Council of the Blind—Minnesota). This is a new position on the Council. Kragnes is appointed to the remainder of a four-year term ending January 1, 2007.

The Rehabilitation Council for the Blind gives advice and recommendations to the Minnesota Commissioner of Economic Security and the State Services for the Blind concerning products and services for the blind. The Council consists of eighteen members appointed by the Governor, as well as an ex-officio member from the State Services for the Blind.