TPI is in Albany for Aubertine-Ritchie showdown tomorrow

Welcome back to The Public Interest!

We're coming back at an exciting time... After four days at home, I'm now sitting in a swanky Albany hotel room. I'm here to attend the confirmation hearings for the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets — Darrel Aubertine.

Mr. Aubertine, a Cape Vincent dairy farmer, must first get through the committee that he used to chair.

He's no longer chairman because he lost his re-election bid in November... to the woman who now chairs the committee.

The Senate Agriculture Committee will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. to consider his nomination. He's expected to pass, but the questioning could yield some interesting scenes.

It's the makings of a great political drama, writ small.

We'll see if any fireworks go off tomorrow.