BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG - A former Ogdensburg City Manager who had a strained relationship with county officials and local firefighters was censured at a recent convention at the International Association of Fire Fighters recently.

The delegates voted to censure Stephen Jellie stemming from his actions in New York during which he repeatedly demonstrated a disregard of the law, fundamental lack of respect for professional fire fighters and callous and careless actions that compromised the safety of the community and the firefighters serving it.

It took place in Boston during a bicentennial event.

Firefighters say that in Wyoming, Jellie “created an unsafe work environment for responders by cutting minimum staffing from two to as few as two firefighters per station, reducing the qualifications needed for members of the fire service, and misrepresenting the resources and fiscal condition of Teton County.”

The measure was advanced in the form of a resolution offered by the New York State Professional Fire Fighters President Sam Fresina, and Kevin Ready, President of the Federated Firefighters of Wyoming.

 Jason Bouchard, President of Ogdensburg Firefighters Association, was critical of the former city manager.

 “During Mr. Jellie’s tenure, which lasted approximately 28 months, he attempted to dismantle, discredit and destroy a City Fire Department that stood for more than 150 years. He repeatedly put politics before the well-being of the people of Ogdensburg and its fire fighters,” he said in a prepared statement.

In August, Jellie was appointed to the City Manager position in Palmer City, Alaska.

The censure was advanced in the form of a resolution offered by the New York State Professional Fire Fighters President Sam Fresina, and Kevin Ready, President of the Federated FireFighters of Wyoming.

“Today, every IAFF affiliate learned that Stephen Jellie repeatedly put his political agenda first and compromised the safety of firefighters and the communities across the county. He creates a chaotic environment, jeopardizes public safety, and abruptly leaves because his actions simply cannot be tolerated. However, he continues to be placed in a position of trust, and it is my hope that by speaking out – others will be aware that from a public safety perspective the pattern of behavior and conduct are simply unacceptable,” Frensia said.

Jellie was  a controversial figure during his time with the city. He was hired without the traditional search and lengthy interview process typically involved in such hiring.

He’s received great praise from former Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey Skelly as well as then Deputy Mayor Steve Fisher.

He also received significant criticism from Councilors Michael Powers, Dan Skamperle and Nichole Kennedy, as well as members of the community.

During his time as city manager Ogdensburg has seen drastic reductions in its police and fire department. The city has also outsourced comptroller services and was entangled in lawsuits with the fire union and St. Lawrence County. The city additionally started collecting its own sales tax and requested the county take over a variety of services.