Thursday, 4:30 PM
Romney stands by appointment to Brookline Housing Authority
By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff
Even as the move drew sharp criticism, Governor Mitt Romney on Wednesday stood by his appointment of his spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, to the Brookline Housing Authority.
Romney also said that the pension gains that will result for Fehrnstrom are of no concern to him.
"I don’t disqualify someone because appointing them would mean they would get pension benefits," Romney said. "I think it would be any inappropriate way to make any appointment."
The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that Romney had appointed Fehrnstrom to a five-year term as the governor’s designee on the authority.
The position is part-time, but the appointment will allow Fehrnstrom, who is to leave his spokesman’s job on Jan. 4, to extend his years in government and obtain the 10 years of service necessary to qualify for a state pension.
The Fehrnstrom appointment set off a stir in the political world. Romney has touted himself as a reformer, and has launched attacks on Beacon Hill perks and extravagant pension benefits.
The head of the state pension system, Michael Travaglini, denounced the move. Former Governor Michael S. Dukakis, a lifelong Brookline resident, questioned Fehrnstrom’s qualifications for the post.
