Journal:North County Public Employees Receive Layoff Notices

PEF Said "NO" to Contract

PEF (Public Employee Federation) represent the professionals employees that work in state agencies. They would be the physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, teachers, engineers, lawyers and others that did not feel the contract was worth ratifying. Nearly 70 percent of the membership voted, resulting in a “No” vote by a count of 19,629 to 16,906. Taking zeros for 4 years and getting furloughed for 5 days this year and 4 days next year; plus increases in all healthcare costs was not appealing to most of the members.

This was same contract that CSEA ratified last month which prevented layoffs for their members. PEF members felt this was not a fair contract and they were shouldering an unequal burden of the State's financial problems. Coupling this with the Governor's "NO" vote on the millionaire's tax, this contract was a slap in the face of the working class and deserved the same "NO" vote.

I spoke with a friend of mine that works in corrections and they indicated only 3 individuals lost their job. She did not know their names or positions but was relieved she still had her job. The DOT and OMH was not as lucky.I have to believe each and every PEF member that voted "NO" expected the layoffs. With a 70% turn out they got what they wanted. CSEA had less than 40% of the membership vote, that is sad solidarity.

Journal:NelsonCalls For Sciorra's Resignation

Art May Need This!

It was bound to happen and Mr. Nelson is assuming a leadership role in calling for Mr. Sciorra's Resignation. Many say it is political but this is what the people want and that is the job of the Mayor and the council. Everyone wants the members of council to make a stand on this issue. This should get interesting as we get closer to the election.

This could lead to a public showdown between City Council and the City Manager.

Journal Article

WDT:Ogdensburg council argues over access to documents in rent-free probe

                       Mayor Nelson Making A Stand!
Mayor Nelson is taking the bull by the horns and pushing for review of the documents that will shed light on the Knox street debacle. Once united and ditto voter, Nick Vaugh has turned on his once mentor, Mayor Nelson and tries to stop the review of documents and the review of the City Manager by council. Does Mr. Vaugh believe Art should review his own memos and corresponding documents pertaining to the Knox Street property investigation? Mr. Vaugh, a kid I never voted for, never supported, and this is another reason why.

Mr. Morley attacked Mr. Vaugh when he continued to try and stop council from reviewing the documents. I want to apologize to Mr. Morley, I insinuated in a prior blog he gave up but he is still in the fight and I believe he and Nelson want Mr. Sciorra's job.

With Mayor Nelson in a tough run for re-election, Knox Street could make or break him.

WDT Article

WDT:Ogdensburg city council upset at Woods separation agreement terms

Scorria and Woods' Agreement, Ties Hands of City Council

Mr. Scorria must have something to hide if he established this type of agreement with Mr. Woods. The City Council should be up in arms and want to get to the bottom of this Knox Street property issue. The agreement between Mr. Scorria and Mr. Woods protects them from liability and damages due to the mishandling of the property. WAIT A MINUTE! It might protect Woods but how does it affect Scorria? He still works for the City Council!

Nelson needs to bring this to a conclusion or we may have a new mayor! This will be a hot topic right up to November. I am totally disappointed, it appears Mr. Morley is giving up. Vaugh has seen and heard enough so it is time to move on. If we move on Art can continue not reading his emails from department heads, create secret agreements limiting the council's actions, and the Knox Street debacle will be one of many more blunders.

WDT Article 

Jornal:County Certifies GOP City Council Primary Results

Is it Name Recognition or Platform?

The Republicans have their candidates lined up for the city council race. Mr. Ashley, retired police officer and the leader of the primary appears to be the voters top choice. Mr. Hosmer gained name recognition when he had a run in with the City Council.  Having a run in with the City  appears to be the common denominator for new business ventures in Ogdensburg.   Jamie Amo edged out Mr. Mooney by 3 votes and became the third candidate for the Republicans.

Mr. Mooney has little to no name recognition but knocked on many doors during his campaign. I spoke with Mr. Mooney and he may have been a challenge to the status quo.

Everyone in town has dealt with Wayne Ashley as a police officer, the dog catcher, or maybe he put a fence up for you. Name recognition is a great things and as a retired City employee I wonder if his loyalty is with the taxpayer. He supports Nelson 100%, let's hope he is an independent thinker.

Mr. Hosmer has his hands full with his new marina. As a member of City council he will have insight to new money and will avoid harassment from the City.

Jamie Amo, well we all know Jamie Amo he may be the wild hair in the bunch.

Journal Article

R B Lawrence?

What ever happened with that DWI charge?

Journal:Ogdensburg Job Fair Organized By GOP Senators

OGDENSBURG HOSTS FIRST JOB FAIR EXPO

Senator P. Ritchie and Senator J. Griffo are hosting a Job Fair Expo at Odd Fellows on Route 37. The fair is going to introduce individuals to training opportunities, resume and interview techniques, and potential job opportunities. Many time we look at organizations like Claxton Hepburn Medical Center and think they hire nurses, lab techs, and x-ray technicians and assume we are not qualified. Organization this large have their own Maintenance, MIS, Clerical, Business, Environmental Science, and Lawns and Grounds Departments. This is true of many other employers so it is time to get off the couch and get back into the game. Take this opportunity to check out the job fair.

With over 50 employers and agencies setting up booths unemployed workers can get information on required qualifications and the type of jobs they offer. This is a good idea and something that usually happens in Canton or Potsdam not Ogdensburg.

Senator Patty Ritchie had a similar event in Fulton and over 300 people showed up. With over 10% unemployment rate in St. Lawrence County this should be a success.
 
Journal Article
Senator Ritchie's Home Page

Journal:Chinese Businessman Invests In Ogdensburg

Good Luck & Good Fortune Mr. Ma

Mr. Ma has decided to invest in the Ogdensburg area. Ivy Ridge and Sholette's Restaurant have been on the market for some time, who thought they would be purchased by the same person. It is also rumored he is looking at a home, rental property, and other river front property. Mr. Ma plans on opening a Chinese Restaurant and possibly a specialty shop. Good luck Mr. Ma!

With elections just around the corner each incumbent will be looking to put a feather in their cap due to Mr. Ma expansion into Ogdensburg and surrounding area. Each will claim they had something to do with the incoming business opportunities. This should be a good election year hopefully the voter will be able to read between the lines.

Mr. Ma was looking at various locations, I believe Ogdensburg was the best bang for his buck.

Journal:Executive Session Reason Disputed

           Executive Session or Not Executive Session
                         That is the Question
This is one of the biggest cover-up in sometime. The councilors have no problem talking about 90% of what went on in executive session to the press. It appears Mayor Nelson executive session was more about policy and little about Mr. Woods personnel record and his wrong doing.

Mr. Skamperle is not sure if it is an investigation or a review of the processes that took place with the Knox Street property. Mr. Cilley does not know what would be gained by going after one person or the another. That sounds like a play out of the Mayor's handbook on how not to micro-manage. Just maybe, we might find out who is or is not doing their job and if the tax payers are getting the right representation.

Mr. Nelson stated the council is seeking legal advice from the City's Attorney. Is that advice on how to proceed or how to follow the City's policies relating to Wood's and Scorria's involvement in the Knox Street property scandal. If this is the case policy and procedure should be discussed in open meetings.

Journal Article

Boston Herald:President Obama’s uncle had Social Security ID

Uncle Obama, Illegal Immigrant Booked for DWI

Only in America! President Obama's uncle has been running around the United States living the American Dream, ILLEGALLY. For the last 20 years Obama Onyango has been able to obtain a social security number, a driver license, and avoid a judge's deportation order issued in 1992.

Obama was living as an illegal immigrant until he was pulled over by Farmingham Police Department and charged with DWI and other driving infractions. Days earlier, 15 minutes away from Farmingham another illegal immigrant was criminally charged for running down a 23 year old man.

With the Presidential Election getting underway and the inability of the President to reform the immigration system, many Americans will not look favorably on Obama's re-election run. Illegal immigrants continue to run under the radar, reaping benefits, and creating an undue burden on the American tax payers. Something needs to be done soon.

Boston Herald Article 
Obama's Police Report Page 1
Obama's Police Report Page 2
Obama's Police Report Page 3

Journal:Mayor Calls Special Council Meeting

Free Pass for Art

Well Mr. Woods has resigned/fired/buy out/who knows, and with a confidentiality clause in his contract what can  he say...I wonder if this applies to the City Council? If so Art will get a Free Pass on this one and Mr. Woods will take the heat on the Knox St. property.

I would think the City Manager and the comptroller would have oversight when spending all or any grant money. There appears to be no checks and balance on who gets the money and how the Department Heads spend it. Apparently paying taxes, with grant money, on a property owned by the City was a misappropriation of funds. Then add the City's renovated, with grant money, to the house for the tenants, what a deal for the tenants.

If the City continues to buy, sell, renovate, and compete with the private sector they should have created a department to handle collecting rent.  I wonder if they inspected the apartment on Knox Street.  If so that is another $90.00 of grant money in their pockets...then again apartment inspections would not apply to them only the private sector.   

Art proclaimed his inability to do his job to the paper and stated he basically had no idea what his department heads are doing or responded to their emails.  What more does the City Council need to put this guy under wraps. I believe when this comes to a head and the City Council goes into executive session we will never know what happened.  With Mr. Woods as the scapegoat, Art should go unscathed.

Journal Article