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During the fall election campaign, Democrats criticized Republican Gov. Jodi
Rell for retaining many of the state agency heads appointed by her disgraced
predecessor John Rowland. They tried to gain points with voters by
portraying Rell as clinging to a state government apparatus that led to
favoritism and corruption. That tactic didn't work. Rell won big, but
apparently she doesn't want to hear the Rowland "cronyism" tune much longer,
so a change is gonna come!
It's tradition for governors to ask all commissioners to submit their
resignations at the start of each new term. Since agency heads "serve at
the pleasure of the governor" according to law, pre-filed resignations make
it easier for a governor to make changes. And Rell is doing just that.
She "accepted" seven resignations this week with no public word on which
commissioners simply wanted to move on versus those who are intentionally
being sacked.
Most of the departing commissioners were Rowland appointees. Asked if that
was a factor, Rell spokesman Chris Cooper said that "where people started
their careers in state government was not a criteria for her (Rell's)
consideration."
Several of the departing agency heads had battled tough public criticism.
Outgoing Social Services commissioner Patricia Wilson-Coker faced a
no-confidence petition signed by 700 of her employees. Insurance
commissioner Susan Cogswell made unpopular decisions on limited health
insurance policies and costly new homeowner insurance provisions for
shoreline property owners.
So
was controversy a reason for change? Cooper said "generally there was more
than one reason" for accepting commissioners resignations. He said the
governor is looking for "new direction in some cases and in every case the
very best people possible." He said the replacement process could take
anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
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