Mass. Gov. Jane Swift (R) removed James Connelly from chairmanshi...

Mass. Gov. Jane Swift (R) removed James Connelly from chairmanship of Dept. of Telecom & Energy (DTE), replacing him with Comr. Paul Vasington. Connelly remains on DTE as commissioner. Connelly was appointed DTE chmn. in March 2000 by then Gov. Paul Cellucci (R). Swift spokesman said there was no single reason for ousting Connelly, but local news reports indicated he had been under fire in recent months for what critics called his anticonsumer leanings and for contentious personal style that antagonized key members of Swift’s administration. Connelly said Swift’s decision was arbitrary, but Swift spokesman said it was legal because DTE chairmen were designated by governor and could be removed at governor’s pleasure. Connelly isn’t alone in losing top commission post for political reasons. Ill. Commerce Commission Chmn. Richard Mathias will leave agency in Sept. Ill. Gov. George Ryan (R) withdrew nomination of Mathias for another term as chmn. last month in face of adamant opposition by Republican Senate leaders that stalled confirmation.