Governor Steven Beshear Thursday appointed four new commissioners to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. They replace members whose terms have expired. The new commissioners' terms will expire Sept. 12, 2011. The commission is made up of 11 members.

Samuel R. Coleman Jr. of Middlesboro, Ky., will represent the state at large and replaces Henry L. Blythe of Mayfield. Coleman is the director of the Small Business Development Center at the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Virginia L. Burton of Lexington, Ky. will represent the state at large and replaces William H. turner of Lexington. Ms. Burton is a free lance writer and a Fayette County Substitute Teacher. 

George W. Stinson of Louisville, Ky. will represent the First Supreme Court District and replaces Betty J. Dobson of Paducah. Stinson is a real estate developer of SLS Management LLC in Louisville.

Timothy W. Thomas of Madisonville, Ky. will represent the Fourth Supreme Court District and replaces Thurmond Coleman Sr. who retired from the commission in September after 16 years. Thomas is president of the Hopkins County United Way and chair of the Hopkins County Joint Planning Commission.

 “We are delighted to welcome these new members to the commission,” said John Johnson, Kentucky Human Rights executive director, “and we thank our outgoing commissioners for their outstanding service to the people of Kentucky.”

KCHR is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and policies of federal civil rights laws. 

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