Bostonherald.com
Wednesday, September 19, 2001

Swift reported seething at Buckingham `bunker mode'
by David R. Guarino

Pressure is building for a high-level shakeup at Massport - from director
Virginia Buckingham on down - as acting Gov. Jane Swift privately complains
of a ``bunker mode'' at the agency.

Massport Director Virginia Buckingham (Herald file photo)But Buckingham,
installed in the $150,000-a-year director's seat by Swift's predecessor,
Paul Cellucci, has no plans to step down, her spokesman said.

``No one here is focused on that,'' said Massport spokesman Jose Juves.

Juves said the airport agency will accept the blame for lax security that
allowed terrorists to hijack two planes at Logan - but only if the blame is
warranted.

``If (the investigation) in some way points to Massport, there are certainly
people who are going to take responsibility for that,'' he said.

Buckingham, 36, has remained largely behind the scenes since last Tuesday's
tragic terrorist attacks, but Juves said she was working, talking to
victims' families and government officials, and not in the ``bunker.''

``The first priority is and remains dealing with the crisis at hand and
ensuring the safety and security of the airport,'' Juves said. He said
public image ``hasn't been the focus of the agency.''

However, Swift administration sources said the acting governor is fuming
over Massport's blaming other entities - from the FAA to the airlines -
rather than accepting responsibility.

``They have definitely been in bunker mode and . . . it doesn't seem like
(Buckingham) has stepped forward in a leadership role at all,'' one
administration source said. ``Something will be done - maybe not now, but
clearly down the line.''

The sources said the governor is also looking at sweeping change to the
patronage-laden agency, including a seismic shift in its mission to eschew
economic development in favor of airport management and safety.

But another official cautioned that any changes will wait until the federal
probe is complete.

``People don't want any upheaval now because it would be harmful of the
investigation but there is an understanding that there is a need to do
something down the road - and that may include personnel changes,'' the
source said.

Swift has already hinted broadly that changes will be needed. She said it
was ``obvious to all of us . . . there was a problem'' at Logan. Sources
said Swift is seething about Buckingham's fading into the background.

A former press secretary to Gov. William F. Weld and chief of staff to
Cellucci, Buckingham instead let Massport Security Chief Joseph Lawless and
Aviation Director Thomas Kinton answer questions.

Some insiders have said that Kinton, respected in aviation circles, is a
possible replacement for Buckingham.

But Lawless, a former driver for Weld, has offered neither a reassuring
voice nor confidence in the airport's internal probe, the sources said.

State officials said Lawless has thwarted offers for help from federal
agents and repeatedly suggests the airline-controlled security checkpoints
are to blame, not his troops.

Not helping Buckingham is the frosty relations between her and many top
elected officials, including Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, FAA
Administrator Jane Garvey and members of the state's congressional
delegation, the sources said. But U.S. Sen. John Kerry said again yesterday
that it's too soon to consider Logan shakeups.

While Buckingham reportedly has a cool relationship with Swift, other
administration sources said she has friends in the inner circle.

Marie Szaniszlo contributed to this report.
© Copyright by the Boston Herald and Herald Interactive Advertising Systems

========================================================

Bostonherald.com
Thursday, September 20, 2001

Gov eyes rapid reform
Seeks power to directly reform Massport

by David R. Guarino

Acting Gov. Jane Swift, moving to seize control at Logan International
Airport, is reviewing options that would allow her to bypass the Massport
board and directly name a new agency director, sources said.

Bowing to intense pressure for action after hijackings begun in Boston
leveled the World Trade Center, Swift yesterday launched fast-moving reforms
to the patronage-laden airport operator.

``Airport operations will never be the same anywhere in America and
certainly we have a moral responsibility at Logan to take that very
seriously because of the tragic consequences of a security lapse at Logan
last week,'' Swift said.

A day after sources told the Herald that Swift was seething at Massport
leaders' handling of the terror crisis, the governor formed a five-member
commission to recommend broad reform in just 45 days.

Despite the intensifying speculation that she will be forced out along with
Logan Security Chief Joseph Lawless, Massport director Virginia Buckingham
said she welcomes the governor's review.

Buckingham called Swift's decision a ``legitimate public policy discussion
to have.'' She wouldn't contemplate her own future, saying she's focused
only on doing her job now.

Swift said the state has a ``special responsibility'' to lead the way in
airport reform, and vowed to implement ``structural and cultural changes''
at Massport, a historic dumping ground for political allies to governors
past and present.

Administration sources said Swift is eyeing legislation to eliminate the
Massport board, giving her authority to directly appoint the executive
director. The 7-member board is already appointed by the governor.

The sources said Swift sees her own political future tied to Logan reform
and, in an effort to create a ``fortress'' at Logan, might look to hire a
new director or security chief from a well-respected airport or airline,
possibly even someone with experience battling terrorism.

Still, the politically connected Buckingham is already receiving high-level
support - first from Swift's former boss.

Former Gov. Paul Cellucci, who appointed Buckingham as agency head in 1999,
told the Herald that she has as much experience for the job as any previous
Massport chief. Cellucci, now U.S. ambassador to Canada, said in an
interview that locals looking for a scapegoat should look elsewhere.

``I think it's kind of easy just to try to lash out at people,' Cellucci
said. The ambassador said he hopes Swift isn't too myopic as she eyes
Massport changes.

``Jane Swift has a job to do but fundamental questions have been raised, not
just about Logan Airport but airport security not just in the United States
but here in Canada,'' Cellucci said. ``(Looking for scapegoats) is the easy
thing to do. What we really should be doing is completing the
investigations, find out why things went wrong and make sure it doesn't
happen again.''

Swift has been under fire since hijackers commandeered the twin jetliners
from Logan on Tuesday morning, crashing them into New York's twin towers. On
Thursday, she suggested eventual reform but said it would only come after
federal investigations end. Sources then told the Herald though that Swift
was angry with Buckingham for being in ``bunker mode.''

Swift yesterday said her planned changes will focus on whether Massport
should be operating an airport, the port of Boston, and bridges along with
economic development and tourism.

``Should an airport authority also be managing a port? Should there be a
better way to ensure that airport operations focus on security and that is
the focus of the organization?'' Swift asked. ``Those are the types of
questions going forward that we'll be asking.''

``We need to cooperate in that process because the only reason it's going to
have meaning is if it's informed by and has the cooperation of people who
know about any flaws and weaknesses in the system,'' said Massport board
Chairman Mark Robinson, himself a former cabinet secretary of Gov. William
F. Weld.

Robinson said he'd take the first steps today, bringing twin discussions of
airport security and mission changes before the Massport board. Boston city
councilors yesterday also called for Massport to focus on airport management
and set aside its real estate and tourism operations.

Copyright by the Boston Herald and Herald Interactive Advertising Systems,
Inc.
==========
**NOTICE: In accordance with 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.**
==========