BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — James “Jim” LaFave, who was appointed to the Ogdensburg City Council in June, has announced he will seek election to the council.

LaFave was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Michael Powers. He was selected by the council in a 5-1 vote and will serve through the end of the year. He is being challenged in the November special election by write-in candidate Shannon Furgison-Thornhill, a local business owner who has frequently spoken during public meetings.

LaFave announced his candidacy in an announcement submitted to North Country This Week.

“I am seeking the support from the citizens of the City of Ogdensburg to elect me to the Ogdensburg City Council.”

According to the announcement, LaFave has lived in Ogdensburg for more than 40 years. He moved to the city from Lindenhurst, Long Island, in 1979 at age 17 when his father, Leon LaFave, returned to his hometown following retirement.

LaFave attended Mater Dei College, where he earned an associate degree in rehabilitative criminal justice. He met his late wife, Ann Marie McDonald, an Ogdensburg native, while attending college. They married in 1981 and spent 38 years together in Ogdensburg.

The announcement says LaFave worked for Universal Foods before beginning a career with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He served approximately 10 years as a correction officer and 24 years as a correction sergeant.

During his career, he served on the department’s Crisis Intervention Unit and later became team leader at Ogdensburg Correctional Facility. The announcement says his responsibilities included hostage negotiation and rescue, emergency response, gang intelligence and intelligence gathering in cooperation with agencies including the New York State Police and FBI.

LaFave also held several labor leadership positions, according to the announcement. Those included chief steward and trustee with Teamsters Union Local 687 and secretary positions with AFSCME Council 82 and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

After retiring from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, LaFave continued representing retirees through NYSCOPBA, serving as Northern Region Statewide Retiree Representative from 2020 through 2024.

His community involvement has included service on the Ogdensburg Planning Board, Charter Commission and Strategic Planning Committee. He currently serves on the Ogdensburg Housing Authority Board.

The announcement also lists membership in the Ogdensburg Moose Lodge and Knights of Columbus Council 281. LaFave served as recorder for the Knights of Columbus from 2024 through 2026 and currently serves as deputy grand knight.

LaFave said his involvement with the Strategic Planning Committee included work during the city's effort to secure a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

“I am running for City Council because I believe public service requires more than simply criticizing government from the sidelines. Constructive criticism will always have its place, but so does rolling up your sleeves, getting involved, and becoming part of the solution.”

LaFave outlined priorities in the announcement, including fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability, public safety, economic development, responsible growth, strong neighborhoods and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

“I believe responsible local government should focus on fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability, public safety, economic development, responsible growth, strong neighborhoods, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

He also said council members need to listen to residents and represent the entire city.

“While my principles and beliefs help guide the decisions I make, anyone elected to the Ogdensburg City Council has a responsibility to represent all of Ogdensburg—regardless of political affiliation, neighborhood, background, or personal viewpoint.”

LaFave said Ogdensburg has challenges but also opportunities for continued development.

“Ogdensburg has challenges, but it also has tremendous potential. I believe we must continue encouraging economic development, supporting our local businesses, improving our neighborhoods and infrastructure, pursuing opportunities such as the DRI, and making Ogdensburg a community where families and businesses want to stay, invest, and grow.”

LaFave said his decision to run is based on his desire to continue serving the community.

“I am not running for a title,” he said. “I am running to serve.”

He said he plans to spend the coming weeks talking with residents about their concerns and ideas.

“I will bring to the City Council the same work ethic, professionalism, accessibility, accountability, and commitment to public service that I have tried to demonstrate throughout my career and community involvement.”

The special election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

“I respectfully ask for your vote this fall on Election Day November 3rd, 2026.”

LaFave's campaign slogan is “Committed to Community. Accountable to the People. Focused on the City of Ogdensburg Success!”