To the Editor,

I attended Governor Cuomo’s 2015 Opportunity Agenda presentation by Deputy Security of State, Dede Scozzafava on Thursday at the office of the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority.

The presentation was very informative and Dede did an outstanding job, as usual. One of the items in the Gov’s Opportunity Agenda includes the proposal that there will be $1.5 billion set aside for use as an Upstate New York Economic Revitalization Competition. This competition will be between the seven upstate regional economic councils.

As we all know, the North Country Council has done reasonably well in this type of competitive setting thanks to the leadership of Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University and many other North Country members.

My concern is that as this regional council gears up and meets to decide what projects should be included in our proposal, that it is of vital importance that the City of Ogdensburg has a seat at the table when the plan is formulated.

At the present time the Mayor of Plattsburgh, Mayor of Watertown and Town Supervisor of the Town of Potsdam are members. As home of the only port on the St. Lawrence River and the largest “River” community, Ogdensburg is being left out!

Imagine the importance and the possibilities if our region wins one of the three $500 million prizes! Let’s not be left out of the discussion.

Ogdensburg deserves a seat on the Regional Council! Join me in sending a letter to our Governor asking for an Ogdensburg seat at the table and a vote on the Regional Economic Council.

Sincerely,

Vernon “Sam” Burns