Updated at 8:09 p.m. with information from police reports.

BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG—Ogdensburg police responded to city hall Monday and again Tuesday regarding issues involving Mayor Jeffrey “Mike” Skelly.

Skelly said the allegations were related to him allegedly making people feel unsafe.

Mayor Skelly said he went to city hall Monday to follow up with the city clerk regarding a request to hold a special meeting Wednesday, but when he arrived police officers were there.

He says two police officers were speaking with City Clerk Cathy Jock, but that they did not answer his knocks on the door.

Police reports confirm that police responded to a report of a male trying to gain entry to city hall. The report says police asked the mayor to leave to de-escalate the situation. It further reported that employees were escorted home to ensure their safety.

He said a police officer then approached him from the sidewalk. He said he told the officer he’d like to enter the building, but was told the chief was on his way and the chief would decide if he could enter.

He said the officers then told him that they would enter first and see what’s going on.

He said an officer then told him that the city clerk was upset and that he couldn't come in.

Skelly said he exchanged words with Police Chief Andrew Kennedy, in which they both stood up for themselves.

“We’re both men, it was fine,” he said.

The mayor said he returned to city hall Tuesday because he could not reach Jock to set up the special meeting.

A report from police shows that they recieved a call from the city clerk and says the mayor was assisted with gaining entry to his office.

Skelly said he then reached out to the code enforcement office and later the planning department in an attempt to gain entry to city hall.

“So I go up to the door and call Andrea Smith and ask Andrea’s secretary if she can let me in and Andrea says she can’t because of COVID-19,” he said.

Mayor said he then ran into Assistant Fire Chief Don McCarthy who informed Skelly that he had his own key and could use that.

Skelly said he didn’t realize that he had it and then entered city hall.

Skelly said he then exchanged words with City Manager Sarah Purdy, who informed him he should go home.

“Then two police officers show up, then two more, then two more,” he said. “It was crazy. I was just trying to set up a meeting.”

He said after an officer met privately with the city manager and city comptroller Tim Johnson, the mayor was told he could go to his office, but said an officer was stationed outside his door.

He said he attempted to get information from the clerk regarding setting up a meeting, but her blind was pulled down and an officer who spoke with her relayed to the mayor that she did not want to talk to him.

Skelly said he was never asked by police to leave the building.

No meeting has been officially set.

Attempts to contact Ogdensburg Police Chief Andrew Kennedy were not immediately successful.

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