Darrel J. Aubertine, a former state legislator and a lifelong Cape Vincent, New York, dairy farmer, will be nominated to serve as the Cuomo administration's top agriculture official.
"I certainly am looking forward to working as part of the new administration, and working with agriculture in the state," Aubertine said just after the nomination was made public earlier this month. "I'm just elated to have this opportunity."
Senate approval awaits Aubertine's confirmation before he can take over as the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Aubertine served as a state senator from 2008 to 2010 in the 48th District, a historically Republican-dominated swath of Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oswego and Lewis counties, before losing to Patricia A. Ritchie (R-Heuvelton). Before that, he was an assemblyman in the 118th District. He chaired agricultural committees in both chambers. PD
—From Watertown Daily Times
