Projo Politics Blog

Governor Carcieri today appointed two new members to the state Ethics Commission: John D. Lynch Jr. of Warwick and Mark B. Heffner of Barrington.

Both are lawyers in private practice.

In a statement released this afternoon, Carcieri notes that Lynch works at the law firm of Lynch, Bernard and Lynch, where he has "extensive experience in civil and criminal law before the Rhode Island Family, District, Superior and Supreme Courts as well as appearing before the United States Federal Court, District of Rhode Island."

Heffner, a Harvard College graduate and former five-term state representative in the 1990s, specializes in elder law. Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed called Heffner "a vigorous advocate for transparency in government" during his time in the Assembly, one who helped to overhaul the state's open meetings and open records laws.

Lynch replaces Richard Kirby, who recently took a job with Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors, D-Cumberland. His term will expire in 2012. Heffner will take over the long-vacant seat formerly held by Patricia Moran. His term will expire in 2011.

The governor selected the members from lists submitted by the House speaker and Senate president.

"The names submitted by the Speaker and Senate President are exceptional, and I am confident Mr. Lynch and Mr. Heffner will serve with honor," Carcieri said in his statement.

 Tags  Governor Carcieri John D. Lynch Jr. Mark B. Heffner Rhode Island Ethics Commission

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