The Senate on Thursday easily confirmed Gov. Ted Kulongoski's five nominations to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Board of Commissioners in a five-minute action that included votes from 29 Senators.

As was expected, the appointees faced no controversy or debate during their confirmation hearing, said Sen. Ken Messerle, R-Coos Bay.

"That went through without any hitch," Messerle said in a phone interview from Salem. "There was no discussion at all. The positions came. They went through with one vote."

Kulongoski's appointments to the board include Brady Scott, chief executive officer of the Coquille Economic Development Corp.; Jerry Hampel, owner of North Bend Oyster Co.; Dan Smith, president and chief executive officer of Bay Area Hospital; Caddy McKeown, southern regional director of ASPIRE and current chairwoman of the Coos Bay School Board; and Dave Kronsteiner, president of Coos Bay-based West Coast Contractors.

They replaced commissioners Jon Barton, Mike Waldrop, Cheryl Scott, Ingvar Doessing and Gary Gregor.

Kulongoski in December declined to re-appoint two commissioners and asked at least two others to resign. Another commissioner resigned the day before Kulongoski announced his decision, clearing the entire port commission.

The port had been in the midst of a sometimes hot debate over the use of public funds to build a multi-million dollar maritime terminal that could handle container cargo.

"The governor just wanted a new mix of people on the commission," Messerle said. "The old one worked hard. They did a good job but there was controversy. The governor just wanted to start with a clean slate. I support the governor in that."

The Senate waived the usual procedure of presenting the five new appointee's positions to the Rules Committee on Wednesday and moved to consider the group with the full Senate on Thursday.

Their confirmation required a minimum of 16 votes from the Senate, but Messerle said there was no opposition to the governor's selection. Kulongoski was not present during the confirmation hearing.

Kulongoski plans to swear in the new commission today, during a visit to Coos Bay and North Bend. The ceremony will be at 1:15 p.m. at Coos Bay City Hall.