Gov. Locke, staff find home at L&I building

LAUREN WALSH, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- With his regular office in the domed Legislative Building off limits after last week's earthquake, Gov. Gary Locke and his staff settled into new digs on Monday.

Locke's staff set up computers and phones in vacant office space on the first floor of the Department of Labor and Industry Building in Tumwater.

Earlier Monday, staff was allowed into the Legislative Building long enough to collect essential items and equipment. Dana Middleton, spokeswoman for the governor, said she saw only minor damage in the offices, but the governor and staff don't expect to be back for at least a week.

The L&I building was chosen to house the temporary offices because there was enough vacant office space to accommodate all of the governor's staff members without splitting them up.

Staffers acted like it was the first day of school, with each one looking for the right classroom, Middleton said.

Middleton said the L&I employees have been very generous and welcoming.

"They're even giving us food and water," Middleton said. "The L&I folks are being really wonderful."

Middleton said Locke himself does not have a temporary office set up because he is too busy to need one.

"He's a governor on the move -- he's mobile," Middleton said.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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