Journal:Ogdensburg councilor proposes new vehicle policy

This is a great idea!  Each employee that has a car will have declare it on their income tax as income earned. This is an unnecessary expense on the tax payers and should be discontinued. 

Journal Car

Journal:Sales tax discussion heats up

I can understand Senator Ritchie's stance on increasing taxes. We do not want any more tax increases, but the bottom line will be 1% on all or 18% on the property owners. This is not a question of getting or not getting a tax increase, it is a question which tax increase we are going to get and who will pay for it.

I always believed in a flat tax or a sales tax with each individual paying a share of the cost. This is a tough spot for Senator Ritchie who has always been supported by the conservative party.

The end results will be which tax and who will pay it. Senator Ritchie should look into legislation that would raise the limit on how much local legislators can raise local sales tax. Each County and Municipality have different financial needs and saying one tax fits all may not be the right approach.

Journal Sales Tax 

Journal:St. Lawrence County supervisors support sales tax referendum

A public referendum would answer the question of what type of tax the voters preferred. There should be a third choice for the county to balance the budget without a tax increase. Without the 3rd choice it appears the voters support any kind of tax increase.

Voters could choose between a 1 percent increase in the sales tax or an 18.5 percent increase in St. Lawrence County property taxes. This is supported by the county Supervisors Association.

Journal Tax Referendum

Journal:Ready for hunting

It is that time of year and the camouflage is coming out and everyone is gearing up for hunting season. Remember be safe, and be sure before you shoot.

It is part of the North Country's tradition and our heritage.

Journal Hunting

Journal:Doheny outlines aggressive outreach approach

Doheny Outreach Programs is Targeted to his Constituents

It appears Mr. Doheny is concentrating on equal representation across his district. He plans on opening district offices in all 12 counties. He is starting to build his campaign on customer services and equal representations for all in his district.

Journal Doheny

Journal:Storm clouds gather over St. Lawrence County budget

Property or Sales Tax Increase

County Just Keeps Borrowing

Sounds like the County just keeps increasing the amount they borrow. Legislators have to come up with a plan to stop this downward spiral. It will either be an increase in property taxes or increase sales tax rate. Most are looking for a sales tax increase which would distribute the cost of government to everyone. NYS is one of the highest taxed states in the country. Something has to give and until then those that have will end up paying.

The legislature is looking to pass a bill that would allow Counties to increase the sales tax on their own. This will allow the Counties some leverage in balancing budgets.

Journal County

Journal:Ogdensburg approves housing grant application

The Applies for More Block Grant $$$$$

By the skin of their teeth the City submits a grant processed for up to $400,000 from the Federal Community Development Block Grant funds. It appears the City will administer and manage the grant money, that is if they get it. After the last turmoil and political boondoggle it has to get better.

Journal block grant

Journal:Ritchie employs more staff members than most state senators

Senator Ritchie Staff Budget is in the Middle of the Pack and Under Budget

This is an interesting article and could be spun a couple of ways. I believe the Republicans were elected into the majority because the democrats lack of leadership, too much criminal activities among members, circus charades on the senate floor, and the democrats inability to spend within their means. During the last election the democrats did run up considerable deficits and it was left for the new majority to hammer out a balanced budget.

Senator Ritchie is in the middle of the pack when it comes to spending in the Senate and she has a very large area to cover. She has offices in Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence County to reach her constituency which is what every Senator should be doing. She is under budget, a conservative, and is looking out for you and I.

Journal Staffing

Journal:State, Union battle over staffing levels at state prisons

Staffing Levels in State Correctional Facilities in Question 

They are consolidating many jobs in the State Prison System. NYS Parole has been absorbed by the now called DOCCS Department of Corrections and Community Services. Facility Parole Officers and Correction Counselors are now called Offender Rehabilitation Coordinators. They are currently learning both job duties, the transitions has been planned but moving slowly.

Correctional Officer shortages has been held at bay with the consolidation of dorms across the state. The next few years should bring us to the major expansion that occurred 25 years ago. Many officers could retire with 25 years of service. This maybe a problem for the department.

Journal Staffing

Journal:Chinese officials coming to Ogdensburg

Mr. Ma is going to make it happen!  ESL for Chinese students and some locals can attend if they want to learn the Chinese language.

Journal:Ogdensburg housing administrator shelves rehabilitation grant applications

Now it is a breach of contract.  What does the City want from these guys, IN or OUT!

Journal:Festival starts this weekend

52nd Seway Festival

The 52nd Seaway Festival starts this weekend. This is always a big week in Ogdensburg, many family reunions and old friends getting together. The following link is for a schedule of events. Do not miss it, it is always a good time.  

Schedule: http://www.ogdensburgseawayfestival.org/2.html
Journal Seway Festival

Journal:Ogdensburg considering smoking ban in municipal parks

Smoking BAN in Parks?

I have to agree with Mr. Ashley and R. Storm Cilley, why legislate something that is not enforceable. Where was everyone when they wanted to keep sex offenders from the park. I wonder how much they are enforcing that law. That law was only a distance of 500' which let them live a 1/2 a block away. They should of made it 2000' and we could of eliminated many of our sex offenders.

This is political posturing and we need to move on.

Journal Smoking Ban 

Journal:Ogdensburg housing administrator accused of breaking federal regulation

C. W. Augustine - Quid Pro Quo?

C. W. Augustine of DeKalb Junction believe if they write the grant they should be guarantee the rights to administer the program. A little quid pro quo here, but it appears to violate federal procurement regulations.

I have a hard time believing they are going back to the same company after the last debacle. I thought the City considered administering the grant this time. The City of Ogdensburg has zero grant money this year due to the problems with the last grant money.  As the City turns!

Journal Federal Regulations

Journal:Developer upset with city, shuts down projects

Developer Problems on W. River Street

Let's see where this one goes! We have codes for a reason but killing the project is not the means to the end when it comes to development in Ogdensburg. This will be a test for the City on working through problems with developers.

Journal Developer Upset