OGDENSBURG -- Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger Parrino visited Ogdensburg and met with local officials recently to discuss the waterfront damaged caused by flooding last year.

The purpose of the meeting was for the Commissioner to see firsthand the damage caused by last year's high water, and to hear our concerns. He has been conducting these visits all along the pathway of Lake Ontario through the St Lawrence River, according to City Manager Sarah Purdy.

“The message we wanted to give him is how important the Ogdensburg waterfront is to our community and to our visitors, and the fact that so much of it was damaged, is now unsafe and off limits until it can be repaired is a detriment not only to our ability to attract tourists and waterfront events but also to our ability to provide a place of recreation and enjoyment to our own citizens,” Purdy said.

Purdy said the commissioner clearly understood our concerns about how frustrating it is to have to keep this area blocked off until the repairs can be completed and the conditions can be returned to a safe level.

“We also talked to the Commissioner about how important it is to the city that the state has agreed to fund 12.5 percent of the eligible repair costs while FEMA funds up to 75 percent, because the fiscal distress we are experiencing makes it hard for us to come up with the other 25 percent, so having that 25 percent cut in half is greatly appreciated,” Purdy said.

“In addition to Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Roger Parrino, other officials present today were Assistant Commissioner Joe LaBella, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Michael Morris, and Governor's Representative for the North Country Region Jeffrey Farrell, “Purdy said.

Other city officials present were councilors Stevenson, Kennedy and Shaver, Matt Curatolo, Scott Thornhill and Andrea Smith.