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Ogdensburg mayoral candidate wants aggressive economical development

Posted 9/16/15

To the Editor: With the recent announcement that another retail establishment in our community has closed its doors, I am saddened that our citizens have once again lost out on opportunity for …

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Ogdensburg mayoral candidate wants aggressive economical development

Posted

To the Editor:

With the recent announcement that another retail establishment in our community has closed its doors, I am saddened that our citizens have once again lost out on opportunity for employment and services. I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard enough of businesses in our community shutting down!

How many more of these announcements will our residents have to endure before someone joins me in speaking up and yelling – STOP? We can no longer sit back and ignore the fact that businesses are closing in our City, or on the outskirts of town. I’m tired of witnessing some of our elected City officials sit quietly, do nothing and offer little hope that something positive will happen. I outlined a plan months ago stating that the City of Ogdensburg needed to submit proposals for funding through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. What projects were submitted and where is the push to make these a “Priority Project” in the Development Council’s overall Plan?

I have always felt that economic development is a contact sport and that we must be pro-active, not re-active. As residents of the City of Ogdensburg, we need to understand that businesses and jobs don’t come knocking on our door every day. We must move forward in our attempts to provide jobs for our young people and those who have lost their jobs already, and we must do it now! My opponent for Mayor has offered no plan, no proposals and no hope!

The City of Ogdensburg does not employ one specifically trained economic developer. The main engine for economic growth in our area has been the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority. I spent ten years as a member of the Board of Directors of the OBPA. I understand what they can do for our City. It seems that in spite of the inaction of the City Council and my opponent, the Bridge & Port Authority will move ahead with the airport expansion.

The City Council must work with the Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority to meet their need for water and sewer, to expand the airport, and to develop future business in that area. All of that expansion will be good for our City and taxpayers in the long run. Let’s build this area into the destination point that we all know it has the potential to be! The taxpayers are demanding action!

I ask for your support and vote in November to not only change Ogdensburg from re-active to pro-active but to also get aggressive on economic development. Let’s fight for our City! Thank you.

Vernon “Sam” Burns

Ogdensburg mayoral candidate