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Monday, June 14, 2021 - 5:46 pm
BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG – City Manager Stephen Jellie says the City of Ogdensburg will lose up to $1.5 million in sales tax revenue after the New York State Assembly failed to pass home rule legislation regarding sales tax distribution.
The city plans to begin collecting its own sales tax in 2020, but won’t be able to collect 2.5 percent of the tax generated there without state approval. Instead it will collect just 1.5 percent, that’s a difference of as much as $1.5 million, according to estimates.
“The City of Ogdensburg is disappointed that the NYS Assembly was not able to act on a bill authorizing the collection of an additional 1 percent sales tax to be collected beginning in 2022. We sincerely hope the Assembly will follow the action to approve this bill that was approved by the NYS Senate on Thursday evening. Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly and City Council are greatly appreciative
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 5:09 pm
BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly says work is underway at the Ogdensburg beach and he remains hopeful for a July opening.
While City Manager Stephen Jellie is ironing out details with the state departments of Health and Environmental Conservation and finding lifeguards, city Department of Public Works crews and employees at the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority are making improvements to the former beach area.
Skelly said when the city asked the OBPA to help secure a lease for the beach for the city they stepped up and answered the call.
Friday, May 14, 2021 - 9:03 am
BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG - They say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, but some Ogdensburg city councilors are questioning if their colleagues understands the old adage.
City Councilor Michael Powers was officially censured in a 4-3 vote at a special meeting Thursday that did not allow for public comment.
In an interview leading up to the meeting Power said he was fine with the censure but questioned why the same standard wasn’t applied to other councilors.
“I already acknowledged my wrong doing. I’m human. I’m passionate about what is right and I will always be passionate about what is right. I had a slip of the tongue which I acknowledged immediately and apologized twice that same night in open session to the public,” Powers said. “I am fine for being censured for a mistake, but I think that standard should apply to all members of the council, not just those in the min
Friday, May 14, 2021 - 8:56 am
BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week
OGDENSBURG Ogdensburg is one step closer to opening a beach after city council voted to allow the city manager to sign a lease agreement with the Ogdensburg Bridge And Port Authority.
The same resolution failed at a Monday meeting after Deputy Mayor John Rishe brought it to the floor rather than having it included on the agenda.
When resolutions are brought from the floor they require a supermajority vote.
Councilors Michael Powers, Nichole Kennedy and Dan Skamperle voted to block the resolution Monday with concerns that more information on the matter should be garnered first.