The “Help Wanted” sign continues to hang outside the State House.
Gov. Lincoln Almond’s re-election honeymoon was short lived. In the weeks following his convincing victory over Democrat challenger Myrth York, two of Almond’s cabinet members, Andrew H. McLeod, head of the state Department of Environmental Management and Barry G. Hittner, director of the Department of Business Regulation, resigned.
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McLeod cited a lack of support for DEM on the part of the “Rhode Island body politic.” In recent years, DEM has been under intense criticism and most recently, a review by the state legislature. Hittner, in his resignation, said that it was simply time to do something else.
Lisa Pelosi, a spokesperson for the governor, said that resumes and calls of interest are being accepted for both positions. She specifically said that the governor let it be known to the national governor’s conference that there was an opening at DEM.
As for the state Department of Business Regulation, there has been speculation that a viable candidate may emerge from within the Almond administration. Political observers are closely watching Lt. Gov. Bernard A. Jackvony, who lost in the November election to Sen. Charles J. Fogarty.
On election night, Jackvony, a lawyer, was gracious in defeat. John Holmes, a Republican campaign strategist who has helped steer Almond to victory in one Republican primary and two general elections, praised Jackvony for his work as lieutenant governor and predicted that Rhode Island “would be hearing from Bernie Jackvony again.”
Pelosi said that as yet, the governor has not talked to Jackvony about his future plans. But she did suggest that the lieutenant governor may have expressed an interest in remaining in public service.
“The lieutenant governor has not made any decisions about his future or shared those with the governor,” said Pelosi. “He has served well and we believe he has an interest in continuing his public service.”
Jackvony was not available for comment prior to the Providence Business News’ deadline.
