Polygamy-issues panel has new leader
Posted by: joshuah in Pat Merkley, Utah, polygamous sectsFrom: Salt Lake Tribune
A committee that has worked as a liaison between polygamous communities and government officials in Utah has a new coordinator.The Utah Attorney General’s Office announced Friday that Pat Merkley has been hired to lead the Safety Net Committee. She will take over the post in August.
“Pat is someone who can get things done because she cares,” said Paul Murphy, spokesman for the attorney general’s office.Murphy said Merkley’s education, background and track record working with polygamous communities helped her rise out of a strong field of contenders for the job.
“She knows the problems, she knows the strengths and probably has more experience than anyone to step in and help people in that community,” he said.
Created nearly five years ago, the committee provides outreach services to polygamous communities and educates government agencies about fundamentalist Mormon culture. Some 300 people from 60 different agencies have been involved in the effort over the years. Murphy has led the group since its inception.
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