Fonda Chronis

Screen Capture from Youtube.com

BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – Former Schuyler County Administrator Xenophondas “Fonda” Chronis has been named as Ogdensburg’s new City Manager.

Ogdensburg City Mayor Michael Tooley made the announcement Monday following an executive session.

Chronis graduated from Syracuse University in 1992 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Policy Studies. In 2015 Chronis graduated from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He has a concentration in local government financial management and has an additional certificate in E-Government Management, according to a statement provided by the city.

The statement also says that Chronis was a business owner and corporate manager in the private  sector, though details regarding that experience weren’t immediately provided.

A press conference is planned for Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. where the public will have the opportunity to meet Chronis.

Chronis will receive an escalating salary over the course of a three-year contract. In year one he received $140,000. In year two he will earn $145,000 and in year three he will earn $150,000.

Requests for further details regarding Chronis’s background, including his resume, weren’t immediately provided, but Tooley said more information would be available at the press conference. He also said he would seek guidance regarding the release of his resume.

News articles from Fingerlakes1.com and Fingerlakesdailynows.com show that Chronis was on administrative leave in July of 2023 and stepped down from his role as Schuyler County Administrator weeks later. 

The news reports do not provide details regarding the situation and do note that his leave was not an implication of any wrongdoing.

He held the administrator position for less than two years according to those reports and the articles note that his departure from the position was mutually agreed upon.

It’s also been reported that Chronis served as assistant county administrator in Schoharie County, but details on his time and duties there were not immediately available.

Chronis was hired with help from Consultant John C. Krol and was a top priority for Mayor Tooley and the new city council.

The Ogdensburg City Manager seat was left vacant after the departure of Mohideen Buharie who served in the position for less than a year in 2023. Prior to that the role was filled by Stephen Jellie.
City Planner Andrea Smith has been serving as interim city manager since Buharie’s departure.

Although the hire was approved by council a contract has not officially been signed.

His term will officially begin July 1.