Chaumont attorney joins appointments office staff

A Chaumont attorney, Michael W. Schell, recently was hired as counsel in Gov. David A. Paterson's appointments office.

Mr. Schell, a lawyer for 34 years, had left his role as the governor's senior adviser for intergovernmental affairs in October 2008 to join Mr. Paterson's re-election team. Mr. Paterson announced in April that he would not seek a full term.

Mr. Schell has a long record of involvement as a Democrat, having co-founded the Democratic Rural Caucus and served as executive chairman of the state party from 1999 to 2001.

A Paterson spokesman said Mr. Schell replaces two people in the appointments office: Michael Knapple, who left last spring and wasn't replaced, and Jon Gunther, who left the office within the last month. Together, they made $123,000 annually. Mr. Schell's annual salary is $66,500.