By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- As Election Day draws near, Ogdensburg Democratic Committee Chairman Noah Burns is continuing to attack mayoral candidate Wayne Ashley for campaign finance law violations and robocalls, but Ashley says he will no longer respond to any attacks that aren’t focused on issues facing the city.

In an email issued Thursday, Burns, who is the son of mayoral candidate Vernon “Sam” Burns, stated that Ashley’s campaign used robocalls to contact voters in the Independence Party during the primaries approximately six weeks ago.

“Mr. Ashley robocalled Independence Party voters back in September before the primary. Sam Burns has not robocalled anyone throughout his campaign. You don't have to take my word for it though; you can look it up because Sam filed his campaign finance disclosures on time as he was supposed to,” Burns said in the email.

The claim is true, according to Ashley, who pointed out that this call was separate from the allegedly illegal polling call that Burns accused him of making to voters in an email sent to NorthCountryNow.com Wednesday.

Ashley said he did record a message that was used in the robocall targeted specifically toward Independence Party members during the primary.

He said that call included his name and phone number and was compliant with the law. Ashley says he was aware of the recording, but thought plans to use it had been scrapped.

“It turns out they were used,” he said. “I apologize. I was not aware those calls had gone out. To be clear though, this recording was not the same robocall asking people who they would vote for. I had nothing to do with that. I’m not really sure why they are making an issue out this now, other than trying to confuse people.”

The attack from the city Democratic chairman comes just one day after accusations that Ashley failed to file a 32-day pre-general financial disclosure report, a point Burns reiterated Thursday in an email to NorthCountryNow.com.

“The fact of the matter is that Mr. Ashley did not file his financial disclosures before the Oct. 2 deadline. He has had signs up and magnets on his cars for well over a month. He has spent money on his campaign and has not reported it. That is illegal and he may be fined. He can make light of it and pretend that it's not a big deal but voters should know when a candidate does not follow the rules. Did Mr. Ashley not receive any campaign donations before Oct. 2? Donations have to be disclosed as well. Campaign finance laws are in place for a reason. Whether it be intentional or not, Mr. Ashley should own up to his mistake,” Burns said.

For his part, Ashley said he has talked with his treasurer Don Hooper, who has assured him that all required paperwork has been filed and accounted for.

Chairman Burns has also called on Ashley to debate his father publicly about the issues. The Democratic chair said he is attempting to set up a debate between the candidates adding that Sam Burns has already agreed to debate at anytime.

Ashley says he welcomes a debate as long as the city’s Republican and Democratic chairs set it up properly and the debate involves local media.

“If the ground rules are set up with the Democratic and Republican chairs absolutely I am up for a debate. But I will not respond to any more Burns attacks. The claims they are making are petty and not focused on the issues. I’ve got 11 days here and I want to spend it meeting with the people I am going to represent,” he said.