To the Editor:

There is no doubt that Ogdensburg is at a crossroads this election season. Mayor Bill Nelson will be stepping down after his long tenure as city mayor.

I thank him for his service. He is a good man and I believe he cares greatly about our community. Who we elect this Nov. 3 will have great influence on a new direction the city will be taking in the New Year. I believe that Vernon “Sam” Burns, Jenifer Stevenson, and Tim Davis are the candidates with the vision, ambition, and commitment that will help us bring Ogdensburg out of the past and into the future.

Jenifer Stevenson has served as a City Councilor for the past four years. Ms. Stevenson is a successful business owner who is often the voice of reason in an otherwise chaotic city council.

Tim Davis was a union pipefitter for 35 years. He has had experience estimating, and managing major construction jobs. He would be a major asset on the city council with the knowledge and experience he has concerning major construction projects.

Vernon “Sam” Burns has the education and experience in administration to help lead our city into the future. There is no need for me to repeat what has already been said about his accomplishments and his plans for the future.

Rather, I would like to give a different perspective into the type of man Sam Burns is. Perhaps you have seen him driving around in a 1998 bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle. That is my younger sister’s vehicle. Sam drives that car to work every day so that my younger brother can take Sam’s more reliable vehicle to attend college courses at SUNY Potsdam.

He has gone without for the past 40 years so that his children had the opportunity to attend college and better themselves. He has taught all of us that even when it’s not fun or popular that “ya gotta do the right thing.” I believe that if elected Mayor, Sam will do the right thing. He will advocate for ALL members of our community, he will work as hard as he ever has to bring in new business and new jobs, and he will bring new support for existing business to city hall.

Nov. 3, vote for Vernon “Sam” Burns, Jenifer Stevenson, and Tim Davis. They are the right choice for the future of Ogdensburg!

Noah Burns

Ogdensburg