| Subject: Feed them to the lions |
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Ceasar
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Date Posted: 17:28:57 05/08/07 Tue
Deval to managers: (Re)apply yourselves
By Casey Ross
Boston Herald Reporter
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - Updated: 04:20 AM EST
Gov. Deval Patrick is launching a broad housecleaning of state government that could result in the dismissals of several top officials, including embattled Department of Social Services Commissioner Harry Spence.
Patrick, moving to strengthen his hold on state agencies, has asked about 50 top managers from previous GOP administrations to reapply for their jobs or expect to get the boot by June 1. The letter, distributed Friday, asks each manager to provide a justification for keeping his or her job.
“If you wish to be considered for reappointment, please forward immediately your resume, accomplishments, publications, personal statements and any other relevant information,” the letter reads.
Some State House insiders have expressed surprise that Patrick did not move more swiftly to remove Republican holdovers. The move comes after a series of early missteps by Patrick and personnel changes among his top advisers.
“Every secretary I have asked to compose a team of people who are pulling in the same direction and complement each others’ skills, who share information so we are not governing in silos,” Patrick said yesterday. . “There is no single formula for that.”
In addition to Spence, who has come under fire for deaths and injuries to children in DSS care, Patrick asked for resumes from Revenue chief Alan LeBovidge, Registrar of Motor Vehicles’ Anne Collins and Mental Health Commissioner Elizabeth Childs.
Kyle Sullivan, a spokesman for Patrick, said the letter does not mean there will be blanket firings. “The governor has asked each of the secretariats to build a team that shares this administration’s priorities and vision,” Sullivan said.
Spence, who was appointed head of DSS in late 2001 by Republican acting Gov. Jane Swift, has said publicly he hopes to keep his job. A spokeswoman said Spence was not available for comment.
Patrick said he’ll wait to hear a recommendation from his Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby on Spence’s future.
“I think Harry Spence is terrific. He’s brought a lot to the table, but every single Cabinet secretary is responsible for composing his or her team, obviously with my ultimate approval, and I trust them to do that,” Patrick said.
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