Even as Long Island Power Authority recently fired one of its most experienced utility officials and a second announced his resignation, newly named chief executive Carrie Meek Gallagher told employees last week that she had hired a “special assistant” who has extensive Long Island political ties.

In an internal memo, LIPA announced the appointment of Robyn Fellrath to the post. Fellrath was most recently regional director for the Workforce Development Institute, a nonprofit, but her connections to Long Island and state politics run deep.

Fellrath, a former intern for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, spent three years at the state Department of Labor, most recently as downstate director of labor affairs, and was formerly a chief aide to Suffolk Legis. Sarah Anker, according to her online biograp

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