ESCALATING FEUD WITH JENNINGS MAY COST CONNERS HIS JOB.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: JAY JOCHNOWITZ Staff writer

ALBANY Public Works Commissioner Michael Conners appeared close to losing the job he took six months ago Wednesday as he continued to push the envelope of independence further than any city official has done in recent memory and all but accuse colleagues of bid rigging.

In a telephone interview from New York City, where he was attending a fund-raiser for Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, Mayor Jerry Jennings made no effort to hide his frustration with his flamboyant commissioner and longtime friend, flatly acknowledging that Conners' job is in jeopardy.

``This is a business, and if he's not happy working for me, I'm sure he can find another job, and that's a discussion I'm going to have with him tomorrow,'' said Jennings.

``I can make a living on the outside,'' said Conners, a part-time county legislator and an insurance agent. ``My reputation is far …