Front, Mayor Tim Currier, Corey Belknap and Elizabeth ‘Lottie’ Hurd. Middle, Randy Ward, Brendon Closs and Trustee Francis Carvel. Back, Chief Mark LaBrake and trustees Albert Deshaies, Matt Lebire and Tim Ahlfeld. NorthCountryNow photo by Andy Gardner.

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The village board and police department on Tuesday recognized three teens for returning a safe containing thousands of dollars in cash they found while fishing in the Grasse River last month.

Corey Belknap, Brendon Closs and Randy Ward received Citizenship Awards from Mayor Tim Currier and Massena Police Department Excellence Awards from Chief Mark LaBrake.

Currier, a former police chief, praised the trio for doing the right thing.

“Thank you for your honesty, integrity and character. Massena is very proud of your actions,” Currier said.

“It’s a pleasure to have you in the village,” LaBrake told the teens.

In addition to awards, the police officers’ union purchased each of them new fishing equipment and tackle boxes.

Corey Belknap receives fishing gear from Ptl. Mike O’Brien. NorthCountryNow photo by Andy Gardner.

The safe they found belonged to Elizabeth “Lottie” Hurd. It was stolen on Oct. 1. A suspect was arrested in the burglary, Aaron Thompson, then 30, of 73 Ames St. He pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and is now serving six months in the St. Lawrence County jail plus probation time. Court documents at the time of his arrest indicated it contained $9,000.

The mayor said he hopes more people doing similar good things can make it to the press.

“I think we spend too much time focusing on the negative things around us,” he said, partially blaming “the cycle with 24-hour news.”

“There’s so many good things happening in this community,” Currier told the room. “I’m a firm believer that what’s good with Massena can fix what’s wrong.”