Journal:City Delays Attorney Report Discussion

It is a Waiting Game      

How much longer do we wait? Each councilor should review the document prepared by Mr. Silver. When the review is complete each councilor should be able to deduce if the City Manager was negligent in his duties. An emergency meeting should be called and the public needs to know the truth.  This needs to be put to rest!

Journal Article

Journal:Independent Investigation Considered

A Shell Game With Grant Money

Mayor Nelson and the council are calling for an independent investigation into the management of the Housing Program. This is a strong move by the Council which passed with only one  reluctant councilor, Mr. Vaugh. This is an indication that Council has nothing to hide and is moving towards a more transparent government.

I agree with Ms. Bruyere, she took issue with the use of more than $105,000 in grant funds to renovate the home at 2 Grove St. Add that to the $80,000 worth of renovation the Knox Street property, and the $50,000 they are giving the occupants to buy the house. Something is definitely wrong with this picture!!!  

Why is the City buying houses, renovating them with taxpayer's money, and giving grant money when they sell it.  The City Manager appeared to be play a shell game with our money. Dump grant money into a city owned house, sell it with grant money to the City.  When the sale is complete, what was once grant money is now City money.   

Journal Article

Journal:Vaugh Launches Phone Campaign Against Nelson

Vaugh Shooting off at the Mouth - No One Listens

Well if anything could boost Mayor Nelson's re-election it would be a negative comment from Mr. Vaugh. Mr. Vaugh's election to City Council has been riddled with controversy from day one. Young, inexperienced, still living with mommy, not paying taxes, and still in school just what I NEVER voted for!

It is not clear who the voters in Ogdensburg despise the most, City Manager, Sciorra or Nicky Vaugh, Councilman. Mr. Bean, Republican Chair of Ogdensburg and his committee have been behind Mayor Nelson from day one.

Councilor Cilley denounces Mr. Vaugh's message about the Mayor and council and the idea that Mr. Woods was lying. Mr. Vaugh should watch his statements about Mr. Woods, his comments may embroil the City in a costly lawsuit.
 
Journal Article 

Journal:Clerk Race Highlights Small Differences





Galvin Regan

Mary Lou Rupp

Not much coverage on another big race coming up in November. Each candidate has stated their positions and it appears each candidate is heading in the same direction. Good service, more dealerships, document preservation, and customer service seem to be the platform of both candidates.

This race has been political from the appointment of Mr. Regan to the firing of Mrs. Rupp. Bad blood exists between the two candidates and it has been a race from day one with the finish line just around the corner.

 Mr. Regan brags how successful the clerk's office has been since he was appointed County Clerk. Most of his accolades have been the accomplishments well managed office with proven policies and performance established by Mrs. Ritchie and Mrs. Rupp. He brags about increase revenue but the revenues are lethargic compared to prior years. The Veteran's identification card was a prior project and been established in many other counties.

Mrs. Streeter is playing a game of political survival and what better way but with an article in the Journal. Good news for her, Mrs. Rupp will do the right thing and keep her on as Deputy Clerk.  Mrs. Streeter continues to switch her political affiliation as often as the wind changes. Mrs. Streeter was offered the chance to learn the Motor Vehicle Department but wanted to stay in the clerk's office. Promotion sometimes require extra duties and skills, especially when the DMV generates 75% of the income for the County.

Mr. Regan and Mrs. Streeter state they fired Mrs. Rupp because of the County's fiscal state; that would of been more believable if he stated that prior to the firing and she was not running against him.

Journal Article Highlights
Journal Article Deputy Clerk 

Journal:Silver's Investigation Report Delayed

Silver's Report Delayed

This will drag out to the end and hopefully the results of this investigation is not a surprise to everyone. The voters would like an answer and conclusion to this matter before the election. If a special meeting is called, it will be interesting who will support or denounce such an action.

This needs to come to a conclusion, and the City needs to stay out of the business of buying and rehabilitating private property with taxpayer's money.

Journal Article

Journal:City School Board Approves TwoRaises

It is all about the KIDS! Just after I paid my School Taxes, 3.5% raises to the top 2 dogs in the school system.  I thought times were tough and we were laying teachers off. 

Everyone in the country is worrying about keeping their jobs and the school system continues to spend. This is perfect timing!

Joural Article

Journal:Chamber Sets Halloween Contests

Holloween Party at Dobisky Center

Get your little ghost, goblins, and ghouls ready for the Chamber's Halloween Contest. This is a great time for the family and kids. Pumpkin carving, games, and contests fill the night on October 24th, 6 - 8 pm at the Dobisky Center.

Refreshments will include apple cider, homemade cookies, candy and other Halloween treats. Come and join the fun!!


Journal Article

Journal:City May Have To Pay To Fire Sciorra

How Much Will it Cost the Voters?

What is next, someone better start doing their job. Hopefully, City Attorney Silver will produce the necessary evidence to put this disrepute to rest. We need to clean house, Wood is gone and Sciorra may be next if there is sufficient evidence.

Mr. Vaugh, just resign, please! Mr. Skamperle said, "It is a heck of a lot more than taxpayers lost on the property at 819 Knox St.". The question is, what price should we put on an honest and open government in Ogdensburg? The voters have lost confidence in our City Manager, which was reflected in the last council meeting. I have to agree with Mr. Cilley, Mr. Sciorra will have a difficult time managing the City if he stays.

Journal Article  

Journal:Ogdensburg Company Deal Depends On Federal Contract

General Proplusion Inc.

Is this the real deal? Will Ogdensburg become the home of General Propulsion Inc. which could lead to 200 new jobs. This is a continuation of the job trend across the United States. Canada has been producing more jobs for Americans than the United States.

Times are tough, the economy has been spiraling down and the Federal Government is spending less money. Military contracts are at a premium and securing such a contract is necessary for General Propulsion Inc. to open its corporate headquarters here.

Many blogger are chary of the company and Mr. McCoy has done some research. Hopefully our leaders or our next leaders will do their homework. According to Ottawa Business Journal General Propulsion Inc. only employs 5, but employed 22 at its peak. Just goes to show you, "Inc." does not mean big.

Journal Article

Journal:Capacity Crowd Hears Woods' Address

Hopefully, this turnout sent a message to City Council!

The voters are out

They are engaged

They want action

And they will be voting  

Councilor Sholette, Vaugh, and Skamperle are not listening to the demands of the voters. Two of these councilors will be gone next year so they can continue to play political games. 

Journal Article

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Journal:Accusations OnCity Council Agenda

City Councilors Strutting Their Resolutions

Mayor Nelson and Deputy Mayor Morley appear to have the bull by the horns. Problem is there is a Rodeo clown named Nick Vaugh throwing up barriers at every step. Nick has finally made a stand and it appears he is siding with the actions or lack of action by Mr. Sciorra as it relates to the Knox Street property.  There has been one resolution after another and they all add up to a lot of posturing. This City Council needs to evaluate the documents and move forward. Who should review the City Managers actions?  I believe it is the duty of City Council to review Mr. Sciorra's actions.

Mr. Sholette has never been a fan of the City Manager and I am surprised he is not making a stand for the voters.  I would think each and every council member has had plenty of time to review the documents. City Council should have reviewed the documents without the City Attorney Silvers deciding what should and should not be considered. They should tackle this situation as a unified body using the City Attorney as an advisory.

Journal Article  

Journal:Three Council Members Oppose Sale

Dream House Free

When did the City get into the business of buying houses and giving them away? I can understand grant money to help with the down payment but buying a $51,000.00 house with taxpayer's money is a little over the top. I have to agree with Mr. Skamperle, "that's ludicrous." and unfair to everyone that has a mortgage.

Mr. Sciorra claims he did not know the house was being purchased with grant money only. Is Mr. Sciorra running the City or is it running itself?

Ownership is obtained when someone has a vested interest in a piece of property. Paying for the whole house would be a gift from the taxpayers to the Burkes. Most first time homeowner grants are 10 - 20 thousand, I never heard of one that paid for the whole house.

The City picked the house up for back taxes, therefore they can pocket the profit in grant money.  Something sounds totally wrong with this picture. City Council needs to start working for the taxpayer and stop playing politics. 

Journal Article

Jornal:Council Members: Mayor Going To Far

                         WHO IS PLAYING POLITICS?
Mr. Sholette, and Mr. Skamperle have been fighting with Mayor Nelson and the City Manager for the last 4 years.  It appears they are changing their positions on Mr. Scoirra.  They believe Mayor Nelson and Deputy Mayor Morley are doing it for political reasons. 

It appears Mr. Sholette and Mr.Skamperle will now vote to support Mr. Scoirra; sounds like someone is calling the kettle black.  The problems with these kind of games, the City is the loser in the end. 

Journal Article

Journal:School Districts Must Disclose Teacher Ratings

New Teacher Evaluation

These evaluations should be interesting and should actually put some pressure on the administration to do thorough and possibly accurate evaluations. Many times it is too easy to sign off and give a benign evaluation not documenting or providing training to teachers that need help.

Looking at the last standardized test scores, Ogdensburg did not fair very well. One interesting fact was that there was a dramatic drop in certain grades that should have been addressed. Then again we live in a depressed, low economic area, with many poor family which justified these scores.

There are many very good teachers in the Ogdensburg School System and I applaud their effort.  Many times it is the system that is the demise of the education process. We must move beyond that to improve our educational system and strive for number 1 in the World.

Well with three great raises ( 2.7, 2.8, 2.9% ) coming to the teachers over the next 3 years, I am sure they will work harder than ever. Remember it is all about the kids.

Journal Article