The leader of the trade group that represents Ohio telephone companies and the state?s first utility watchdog are among nine candidates to be considered for a critical spot on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

A nominating committee will meet today to recommend four of the names to Gov. Ted Strickland, who will make the final decision.

It will be Strickland?s first appointment to the five-member body that regulates electric, gas, telephone and water utilities, as well as commercial transportation. Strickland is the first Democrat in the governor?s office in 16 years.

The committee yesterday narrowed a field of more than 100 applicants to nine candidates to be interviewed.

In order of their interviews, they are:

? William A. Spratley, of Columbus, now with nonprofit Green Energy Ohio, and Ohio consumers? counsel from 1977 to 1993.

? Raymond W. Lawton, of Columbus, former director of the National Regulatory Research Institute at Ohio State University.

? Steven D. Lesser, of Bexley, assistant director in the PUCO legal department.

? Charles R. Moses, of Dublin, president of the Ohio Telecom Association, representing the state?s 44 telephone companies, and top aide to former Gov. Richard F. Celeste.

? Paul A. Centolella, of Worthington, senior economist at Energy Solutions Group.

? Paul J. Duffy, of Columbus, PUCO legal director.

? William N. D?Onofrio, of Powell, leader of an energyconsulting firm.

? Robert E. Burns, of Columbus, senior research specialist at the National Regulatory Research Institute.

? Gretchen J. Hummel, of Columbus, lawyer representing commercial and industrial energy consumers.

By law, the agency can have no more than three members of the same party. The panel now has three Republicans and two independents.

The appointee will replace Commissioner Judy Jones, a Republican, whose term expires April 10.

The pay range is $73,715 to $147,451.

ajohnson@dispatch.com?