By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The chairman of the Local Government Task Force says he’s not sure that the Massena Central School District voting against the New York Power Authority relicensing review proposal will accomplish anything.

“I don’t think anything’s going to change,” LGTF Chair Joe Gray said. “Sometimes when a kid throws a tantrum and holds his breath, he’s only hurting himself.

“If there was evidence something would change, I’d be with them.”

The deal was to bring to a close the review of the 2003 St. Lawrence FDR relicensing agreement between the school district, municipalities in Waddington, Massena, Louisville, St. Lawrence County and NYPA. On Thursday night, the school board

Gray said although he doesn’t think the area is getting a fair shake, there isn’t enough political support or local money to fight NYPA and the state in court.

“I don’t think anybody likes the deal on our side, or thinks it’s a good deal … I think there are some positives, not as many positives as I would like, but it’s where we are,” Gray said. “We don’t have the resources … to sue the power authority.”

He added that he doesn’t believe the North Country will be able to gain any ground “until there’s wholesale change in Albany and the attitude Albany has for us.”

Ultimately, Gray says he isn’t surprised that the school board voted the deal down.

“I understand thoroughly enough, you vote with your head or you vote with your heart. They voted with their heart,” Gray said.

See story for more details on the school board’s decision.