By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – After 22 years in city politics, Ogdensburg Mayor William D. Nelson is cleaning out his office.

Nelson said he’s learned a lot over his lengthy political career that had him bumping elbows with high profile politicians including former Pres. George W. Bush, long-time New York Sen. Charles Schumer and various New York governors including George Pataki and Andrew Cuomo.

But one thing that has carried with him through it all is that you have to be true to yourself.

“You really have to listen to people. You can’t just rush to a judgment. And you have to be true to yourself. You can’t veer from your beliefs. You have to be who you are and do what you truly believe is best for the community,” he said.

“There are times when you will be the only one voting for or against something, but if you aren’t being true to yourself, how can you be true to your constituents?”

Nelson said he is proud of many of the city’s achievements that occurred while he was mayor, but was hesitant to take the credit for them, because accomplishing feats like saving the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility from closing and keeping the Ogdensburg Psychiatric Center in the city take community-wide efforts.

“You can’t accomplish anything by yourself. I am only one vote. It really takes the whole community to make government work. That’s why I read the names of all our staff and committee members and my family. It takes everyone,” he said.

Nelson said one of the constants he fought for as mayor has been cleaning up the old industrial sites in an attempt to develop the city’s waterfront. He had always hoped to see the Diamond National site developed prior to his exit from the public stage.

Nelson said the Diamond site was a campaign issue that dated back to his first term as mayor. He recalls fondly the day he and then Sen. James Wright pushed the plunger in tandem to take down the building that had long been vacant on the property.

Over the following decades, the city found wide success in obtaining funding to clean up the polluted ground at the Diamond site, as well as several other former industrial sites. He said Ogdensburg has been among the most successful cities in the country when it comes to sourcing funds to clean up properties.

“I would have liked to see some development on the Diamond site. But I have no doubts that the new council will work hard to make that happen. I know that will see that land developed in the near future,” he said.

Nelson says there are many things he will miss about being the leader of the city, but one of the toughest things to leave behind will be close connections he has made with the community.

As mayor, Nelson said he worked closely with the city’s schools. Among the many artifacts he has collected and held on to are countless pages of letters from students, and binders of news clippings or ceremonies he has attended to honor veterans, students and volunteers.

“I truly love being a public servant. I love doing dedications, and proclamations, and meeting with students and working with volunteers. I love this city and this community and I am honored that they have chosen me as their chief representative. I will miss it,” he said.

Despite his affection for the city, Nelson said he is ready to open a new chapter in his life that can be dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren. He said family members of elected officials sacrifice the most. He said the duties of a public official often interfere with family plans and cut deeply into the time one can spend at home.

Nelson said his decision to retire was among the hardest he has ever had to make.

“It’s not easy. But there comes a time when you need to move on and pass the torch and for me it’s that time,” he said. “My wife and my children have supported me as mayor, but now it’s time for me to focus on them,” he said.

Nelson served 16 years as the Mayor of Ogdensburg and two terms as a city councilor. He also served on the city’s planning board.