Senator makes additions to staff

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, announced five new staff hires Monday, including the appointment of a former Watertown Daily Times political reporter as his communications director.

Andrew G. Mangione, Watertown, who worked at the Times from July 2000 to May 2006, will start his new position Monday.

Mr. Mangione, 29, graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2000 with a degree in journalism. Before joining the Times, he interned at the Legislative Gazette, a weekly paper dedicated to covering state government. In addition to politics, he covered Jefferson County government while at the Times.

The senator also has added D. Lee Willbanks as legislative director, and Katherine L. Doe, Watertown, Kathryn K. White and Debra A. Wiley as constituent liaisons. Mrs. Wiley, Cape Vincent, is Mr. Aubertine's sister.

Mr. Willbanks, Limerick, is a retired attorney who specialized in environmental law. He recently worked with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County. Mr. Willbanks is married to Judy Drabicki, the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 6 director. He joined Mr. Aubertine's staff March 3.

From his Assembly staff, Mr. Aubertine retained chief of staff Edward G. Gaffney, Dexter, and constituent liaisons Kathleen A. Finucane, Dexter, and Dianne T. Baker, Cape Vincent. Susan Donnelly is the senator's Albany office manager.

The senator's Watertown office is on the fourth floor of the Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington St. The phone number is 782-3418. Mr. Aubertine's Albany office is in the Legislative Office Building, Suite 608. The number is 1 (518) 455-2761.

Mr. Aubertine represents the 48th Senate District, which includes Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties.