Journal:Dekalb Junction contractor files defamation suit

The Truth will Set You Free!

There have been many questions raised on the quality of work by James O’Neill and C.W. Augustine Inc. Mr. O'Neill claims local contractors, Frederick and Pat Biggs and Mark A. Jones, have undermined his reputation as a contractor. This has been an ongoing battle between Mr. O'Neill and the contractors, forcing Mr. O'Neill to file a 1 million dollar lawsuit to protect his reputation and business.

The Knox Street debacle, a highly publicized political boondoggle,  brought this back to the forefront. How do you spend close to $200 K in the rehabilitation of two houses in Ogdensburg? There should always be checks and balances when tax payer's money is used. The courts will seek the Truth of this Lawsuit!

Journal Defamation Suit

Journal:St. Lawrence County grand jury indicts three on drug charges

What is Next???????

All I have to say, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!

Journal Grand Jury

Journal:Ogdensburg sets visitor center public hearing

May 14th Public Hearing

The Bloggers and other interested individuals will have their night at the City Council Meeting May 14th. The concession lease at the Dobisky Center will be the center of a public hearing. Should alcohol be served?

The Dobisky Center is the front door of the St. Lawrence River for the City. That door needs to be opened to tourist, and visitors, The slips should be open to visiting boaters not port to a handful in Ogdensburg. The City should get out of renting dockage and promote the waterfront in Canada and other local waterfront communities. Boaters riding by see just about every slip taken and most boats are not big enough to tie to the main dock.

Why would you stop in Ogdensburg, unless it was for a meal and a nice cold beer. This would not be a bar, but a restaurant that serves alcohol.

If you have any comments May 14th is your day!

Journal Public Hearing

Journal:Ogdensburg council poised to reject visitor center concession agreement

Dobisky Center, Concession Stand Yes or No?

The numbers need to be crunched and if the City is making money on this deal they need to go forward. Having some kind of eatery there encourages traffic and the use of the building. Mr. Ashley needs to look at the numbers not just vote against it. Ms. Stevenson let us know what the number are.

If we plan to develop our waterfront we need a reason to visit it. Food is a major draw and should be encouraged as long as the City does not lose money.

Journal Dobisky

Journal:11-county committee supports UTV legislation, gets mandate relief update

The balance of UTV usage hangs in the Assembly 

It looks like the communities and counties are behind registering UTVs or Side by Side recreational vehicles. The Adirondack legislative group, that represents 11 counties in NNY unanimously supports Assembly bill No. 7743. This bill would increase registration weight 500 lbs. to 1500 lbs., allowing individuals to register their UTV as they do their ATV.

UTVs have many features such as roll bars, dump boxes, and family seating that make them more practical and family friendly. This is an upstate issues and the downstate and NYC assembly members continue to decide what we can do.

This bill passed the Senate last year and still has not made it to the floor for a vote in the assembly. Addie where are you? Hopefully, you support this UTV legislation. It has been supported by the Adirondack legislative group (11 counties), sportsmen, hunters, and outdoor enthusiast.

Plus NYS will get their cut when individuals start regististering their UTVs.
   

Journal:Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club celebrates national club week

National Boys & Girls Club Week

The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club offers much more than fun. The Club continue to expand the services it supplies to the community. Besides the regular basketball games, game room, and floor hockey they have added a teen room, adult computer learning lab, and a new obstacle course.

This is National Boys and Girls Club week, so stop down and check out everything they offer.

Journal:Ogdensburg Police say crack bust indicates a disturbing trend

INDICATION OF CRACK
I would of thought the last 3 murders in Ogdensburg was an indication of a trend. Each case was related to drug use and each one ended in the death of a drug dealer. In each case the suppliers have the same characteristics, they should be easy to pick out in town.

The next question will be, how the DA and judge handles this case. The DA and Judge should send a message to every drug dealer in the City and those that want to setup shop here, NOT IN THE RIVER CITY!

I would like to give credit to Detective Mousaw and the rest of the task force for a job well done. Let's keep up the good work.

Journal Crack

Journal:Ritchie stymies industry-requested market order

Market Order = Another Tax

Mike prices are up and State Government is looking to take advantage of the farming community. Imposing a market order on milk would raise approximately $1.7 million that would be controlled by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and an advisory board. Sounds like another money maker for the state. Little details how the money would be used, distributed, and the restrictions on use is another reason to be apprehensive of a new tax.

Market orders or tax is another way for the government to grab a little milk money from the farmers. Federal and State government have imposed market orders on everything from milk to Christmas trees. Milk production does not control milk prices but parallels the demand for cheese. $17.00/100 lbs. could be $12.00/100 lbs. next week which would devastate local farmers.

Journal Market Orders

Journal:Police unions, Ogdensburg officials tackle contract negotiations

Contract Negotiations for City Employees and

First Challenge for City Council

Negotiating the upcoming contracts with the PBA and CSEA should be the first test for our new City Council. With a former member of the OPB on the board it should be interesting. Acting City Manager Philip A. Cosmo is negotiating this contract which is tough for someone who is only acting. Mr. Cosmo as the negotiator for the City, and an employee of the City, one could consider this a conflict of interest.


Journal Negotiations

Journal:Ogdensburg school district has lost 50 positions in the last five years

Merger, May be the Only Alternative

Andrew Cuomo is pushing for school mergers. Little by little each district will cut until the only option left will be a merger. Little school district many become a thing of the past.

A new type of school system has popped up and has been very successful in low income areas. P-Tech or Pathways in Technology Early College High School partner with the Education Department, Colleges, and business to produce a marketable young adult. Graduation from a P-Tech school will earn the student his High School Diploma and an Associate Degree. These school stress science, math, and technology with a touch of real life working experience.

These type of school prepare student for the working world. Working close with businesses they create an employee with marketable skills.

Journal 50 Positions

P-Tech Schools

WDT:Hatred and racism in judging Zimmerman

Trayvon Martin the Shot Heard Around the
World

I very well written article! Innocents and guilt should be decided by a judge and jury, not on public opinion. Everyone has an opinion and this has caught major headlines across the nation. Ogdensburg had the Oxley case and central Florida has Trayvon Martin.

WDT Trayvon Martin