Journal:Founder's Day Draws Largest Crowd

                  SEAWAY FESTIBLE

Great Days for all involved in the reenactment. Considering the heat, Founder's Day was a great success with a record crowd attending the event. The parade is today and hopefully it will have the same turnout as Founder's Day.

The weather has been very good and today looks like another hot and sunny day.  Have a great day and remember to keep hydrated.

Seaway Festible Parade Today

Stopped by the Dirty Gringo and have to say, the Marley was a meal and was very good...added some tortilla chips and guacamole to round off the meal. It was busy and the tables were full so we got our order to go.

Journal Article

Seaway Festival A Week of Events

Seaway Festival is here and the weather has been great. The battle of the bands was a great show and it was a great evening. The week is full of events with concerts in the gazebo, a car show, karaoke, kid rides and games, fireworks, and the parade. Click on the event schedule for a list of events on the City's Web.

Event Schedule

Journal:Parkway Auto Group Raided

DEA Raid Parkway Dealerships

Right under our nose! It appears the IRS and the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency have raided multiple Parkway Dealerships. Using dogs to search cars would lead one to believe drugs are involved. The US Attorney's office did not make a statement but it appears the Wood family may be facing tough times.

Journal Article

Journal:Canton Rents New Kayaks

Kayaks for Canton

 Mary Ann Ashley, Village Trustee is making a splash for the Canton Recreation Department. Mary Ann has donated her $3,500 yearly trustee salary to pay for the kayaks and life preservers to be used at the Canton Beach. I commend her efforts and believe she run for election because she cares for her community.

 I not sure but she was on or is still on the School Board for a few terms. Canton is a tight community and it is tough for outsides to make inroads but Mary Ann has done a great job and will do a her best for the residents of Canton.

 Mary Ann was quite a few years behind me in school but she is make a positive impact on her community. Good Luck Mary Ann!

Journal Article

WDT:Support Shown For Revised Wind Law At Hammond Public Hearing

Wind Power & Hammond

Wind power is back in the News in Hammond. It appears the battle continues, those for and those against. Those that have contracts are fighting for that $900.00/month/windmill check they get for having them on their property. Those against have been unyielding and continue to hold BFW at bay.

WDT Article  

Capital Tonight:Cuomo Announces Tentative Contract Deal With PEF



Public Employee Federation Contract?

The Public Employee Union (PEF) is following the footsteps of CSEA. It appears they have made the necessary concessions to prevent their members from receiving pink slips. PEF represents the professional employees at state agencies...nurses, physicians, councilors, engineers, and teachers started receiving layoff notices and may have a second chance if this contracted is ratified.

There are approximately 60 PEF employees at each correctional facility and many at the SLPC. PEF's and CSEA's ratification could cost jobs at local facilities once employees start bumping employees with less seniority. It appears this is the best contract either union will get and it will start with 3 big zeros and 9 furlough days.

Times are tough and everyone should sacrifice. Last year the County Legislature approved a contract that gave county employees raises for the last two years. I bet, they wish they had that money now. As for the teachers in the Ogdensburg school district 2.75%, 2.85%, and 2.95%, not bad when they are letting teachers go.

Capital Tonight

Journal:Mexican Restaurant To Open

The Dirty Gringo

A Mexican Restaurant, The Dirty Gringo will open in Ogdensburg this summer. It will be located on Main Street and will serve a variety of Mexican dishes. The Marley burrito sounds like the first dish I will try.

This will be a change from the typical Chinese, Italian, and American cuisine served in Ogdensburg. BUENA SUERTE Mr. Gravaline!

Journal Article

Journal:Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties show strong second-quarter sales tax returns

Canadian Dollars Help St Lawrence County

Sales tax returns are looking good for St. Lawrence County and other border towns. Canadians continue to pour into the US for significant saving on staple items like food and gas. The economy is improving but the recovery has been very lethargic and the Canadian customers have been a boost to the area.

St. Lawrence county legislators indicate the county's budget is in bad shape, and were looking for a sales tax increase in lieu of layoffs. Increases in sales tax returns has to be good news for the legislators and good news for the tax payers. How many more tax increases can we support in NYS.

Journal Article

WDT:Internal strife hits union

Corruption, Typical For NYSCOBA

NYSCOBA continues to have problems as union wrong doings are released to the media. NYSCOBA union leaders, Chris C. Leo, legislative director, and Brian Shanagher, executive vice president, decided to change the vote of the membership and supported Assemblyman Barclay over Assemblyman Aubertine in the 2008 special election for the 48th Senatorial District. They also paid members $150.00, mileage, and a jacket if they showed up at a rally for Barclay. These actions did not change the event of the election, most likely they worked against Assemblyman Barclay, and Darrel was elected to the48th Senate District. Good job Darrel Aubertine!

Corruption and criminal acts by the union have riddled NYSCOBA's past. This is the type of power that corrupts the leaders and in their eyes puts them above the law. Council 82 represented the correctional officers in the past and they were also riddled with corruption.

Mr. Leo, legislative director claims he feared for his job. Doing the right thing might have been going back to his state job; he decided to side with Shanagher, executive vice president and should be held culpable for his actions.

The losers in all this will be the correctional officers.  This is a reflection on them and their elected leaders.  There are reasons the leaders are not re-elected in NYSCOBA, the most obvious are the pending criminal charges?

WDT Article

Journal:Sen. Ritchie's City Office Now Open

Senator Ritchie's Office is Now Open in Ogdensburg

Those that need to vent their opinions or offer suggestions can make a quick stop at Senator Ritchie's Office in Ogdensburg. This office will make it convenient for individuals in St. Lawrence County to connect with the Senator. She has always been accessible as County Clerk and continues to bond and work for individuals throughout her district.

Journal Article

Happy 4th of July

Independence Day

Everyone have a happy and safe weekend.  Independence Day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from theGreat Britain.