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Ogdensburg mayor: Public sector must share same burden facing private sector as coronavirus hits local economy

Posted 5/1/20

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly says the decision that lies before the city is a tough one, but says the public sector has to share the burden faced by those in the private sector. …

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Ogdensburg mayor: Public sector must share same burden facing private sector as coronavirus hits local economy

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly says the decision that lies before the city is a tough one, but says the public sector has to share the burden faced by those in the private sector.

Skelly released a statement Friday that he intended to read at the special council meeting Thursday.

The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of capacity in the city’s GoToMeeting subscription. The application allows the city to host the meetings online, but as more than 160 people logged in, some councilors and members of the public were unable to attend.

The large turnout stemmed from a resolution that proposed cutting twelve positions at the city. It also called for the Parks and Recreation Department to be absorbed by the Department of Public Works.

The council meeting was cancelled, as it would not have complied with state open meetings requirements.

“Here in Ogdensburg a drive through city streets will showcase dozens of businesses either closed or partially closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hair and nail salons, barbershops, clothing and other retail stores, all closed. Restaurants have been ordered to serve only takeout food and a large number of staff associated with those businesses have been sent home,” he said. “At the center of our community Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has been forced to lay off a large number of employees. In short, there is virtually no aspect of our economy that has not been affected.

Skelly said the decisions on the table are the most difficult that an elected council can make.

“No one wants to take these actions, but we have an obligation to all taxpayers to live within our means and make ends meet,” he said.

Skelly said that public employees should not be exempt from the struggles facing the private sector and was critical of a protest parade held over the resolution in city streets Wednesday.

“Public sector employees should not be exempt from the pain that their friends and neighbors and business owners now face. No one is saying the reductions in the city’s workforce are permanent. But with an uncertain economic future, I believe the cuts are necessary at this time,” he said.

“On Wednesday many public employees and their supporters in Ogdensburg took to the streets in their vehicles, honking horns and speeding through neighborhoods to protest the proposed cuts. While it’s certainly their right as Americans to protest, it also set a poor example for the hundreds of others in the private sector who have lost their livelihoods during this ongoing pandemic. There was no parade when our small businesses closed and families began wondering how to pay their monthly bills, including property tax.

Skelly said the city the will come through the COVID-19 crisis and build in the future, but for now tough decisions must be made.

“Our city government will survive this, our police and fire and city hall staff will survive this, our private businesses and their employees will survive this - and together we will build a better Ogdensburg. But in the meantime, no one should think they are immune to the pain and challenges this community now has to face.”

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