By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Mayor James Hidy says he played a pivotal role in reducing Massena's crime rate, combating social services fraud in the village and reducing blight in the Grove neighborhood.

"I inherited Massena at its worst moment in time. I challenged the status quo to bring this village back to life," said Hidy, who is running for re-election in November as a Republican.

His main challenger is Democrat Timmy Currier, Massena's police chief, who recently released a report indicating the crime rate has dropped significantly this year.

"I've taken the issues head on and will do everything in my power to correct the wrongs plagued by previous administrations to doing nothing," Hidy said.

Crime Rate Down

Reported crimes in Massena totaled 1,565 in 2012 and 1,521 in 2013, but are projected at just 1,218 for 2014. The actual number for January to August 2014 is 812 reported crimes, according to a spreadsheet from Massena Village Police.

Hidy blames some of that trend on a group of people who relocated to Massena from the New York City area that federal and state prosecutors say were here to sell drugs. They included Patrick "Problem" Lloyd, who was arrested numerous times for a litany of offenses between 2012 and 2013, including attempted kidnapping and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

In a series of emails, Hidy pressured then-District Attorney Nicole Duvé to put Lloyd and his cohorts away on bail that was high enough that they couldn't post it within minutes of an arraignment.

"He (Lloyd) became the 'poster child' of my commitment for safer streets. In fact, I began meeting with Chief Currier and Village and Town justices establishing our agenda going forward to (put) Mr. Lloyd and anyone else dealing in drugs off our streets and behind bars while they wait for court appearances," Hidy said in an email.

Lloyd and several of his accomplices have since been arrested on federal charges. Their cases are still pending.

Hidy says he has also gone after the current DA, Mary Rain. He says he was dissatisfied with her because an alleged heroin dealer residing in Massena, Elvis Pigott, was released from pre-trial custody because of a speedy trial violation. Although he was freed from jail, Pigott is still facing felony drug charges.

Social Services Fraud

Hidy says that another one of his major pushes as mayor is to combat social services fraud.

"When we the taxpayers, through what we earn by working, pay into the Social Service system [and] those who are able-bodied … drain the system from those who legitimately need the funds," Hidy said. "Now, we have a dedicated [social services] investigator serving Massena."

He says that the county chooses to place many social services recipients in Massena because of the low electricity rates and those people need to be watched to ensure they're not abusing their benefits.

"All one needs to do and we've all witnessed, is drive by certain neighborhoods where doors and windows are left wide open during the middle of winter while you the taxpayer is flipping the bill," Hidy wrote.

"After numerous meetings with the Landlord Association, I feel more confident than ever we've a great partnership working together to revitalize our neighborhoods and once re-elected, I plan on continuing this relationship."

Neighborhood Blight

Hidy says when he took office, the Grove neighborhood was slowly turning into a garbage dump, but he believes it is starting to turn into a decent neighborhood again. The Grove area includes Sycamore, Cedar and Willow streets, as well as Woodlawn, Liberty and Bishop avenues.

"I was appalled to see where certain areas of the village had succumbed to extreme blight," Hidy said, citing mounds of trash and junk on properties that in some cases spilled onto the public sidewalk.

His solution was to coordinate with the village code office and craft a public nuisance law, which is now in effect.

"If one was to travel the streets in this Grove area today it's certainly much better and cleaner than it was," Hidy wrote.