There are always challenges in local government, but the situation in Ogdensburg is getting out of hand with one Councillor introducing a "censure" resolution against the mayor for allegedly violating the City Charter by sending an e-mail. When you read the particulars, its ludicrous and its a case of the system not working.
Ogdensburg and Watertown both have council/manager forms of government and that system has its good and bad aspects. However its the system in place and the job of the elected and the appointed is to make it work.
In the Maple City, one Councillor on his way out of office seems intent on making sure Mayor Bill Nelson joins him, so he is proposing a censure resolution, which is clearly a political stunt, no matter who you favor in the election.
In Ogdensburg, the manager has openly opposed the elected officials seeking his ouster rather than doing his job and leave those deliberations to the Council.
In Watertown, I have worked to keep the system working, and work out any differences without theatrics. You have to do it through persuasion and relationships as in this form of government, the electeds cannot just boss staff around and short of firing a city manager, there is no direct action available.
That's why when something like the Arena situation developed this year it was important to have maximum disclosure and a public process for devising new policies for the manager to implement.
The hiring of a superintendent for recreation is expected by the end of the month, according to a memo released this week. The budgetary adjustments and chain of command issues to set up Parks and Rec as its own department are also to be in place by months end.
The corrections were done without the devolution of process seen in the 'burg, and part of that may be the personalities involved. It is naive to think things will not go wrong and sometimes a relatively small event like the Knox Street home in the 'burg goes viral on you. ]
However, Tuesday's council meeting in Ogdensburg is going to be ugly and the showboating on these censure resolutions will challenge Mayor Nelson's ability to take charge and set the record straight, if at this point that's possible.
The Journal Accusations OnCity Council Agenda
3 comments:
You now FULLY understand why serious systemic change is needed here in the tired old Burg
I remember when Mr Vaugh faced censure himself when fellow councilors questioned his missing of serveral meetings without an excse.. This discussion was held in closed door sessin and the mayor and manager soothed over the fact Nicky had neglected his duties using the excuse he had his wisdom teeth out and couldnt talk. The fact was Nicky had been running around zealousy for Matt Doheny trying to help Matt get his nomination for the Congressional seat.. He then shifted attention to running for the 118th and Addie Russell on Twitter. The Republican party would have no part of him as their canidate thus he QUIT the race..He even had the audasity to copy letters written by Doheny and sign his anme to these letters and ask for financial assistance from the party. Over the next few months he brought items to the meetings for Pat Ritchie and other Senators trying to impress the people of Ogdensburg with his great knowledge of politics..
Bottom line this guy is a bottom feeder willing to attack anyone to get a name for himself. Hehas done everything possible to show his distain to the people of Ogdensburg and his not running for offi e is a blessing for the taxpayers of the Burg.
He is in the pocket of city manager Sciorra now and will continue to be until a new consilor takes his position. He promised Mr Sciorra that he could convince one other dumb counsilor to his side and he did in Skamp.. Yes this should get interesting
The city of Ogdensburg is about to embark on a new era. It will not include Wm Nelson as mayor nor Arthur Sciorra as city manager.
Sciorra has ruled the city with an iron fist since he first came there a few years ago.. Thats his style and there are those who applaud that style, but I,m not one of them. Hedosnt know nor does he understand the daily operaions of any one department but his style is to let the head operate it in a way within his guidelines. Nothing wrong with that. The one thing I differ about is he secretcy in which he operates the city and I mean even to counsilors. That most of us dont like and anyone that has dealt with this man really has a first hand view of it.
I know Nelson was kept in the loop somewhat but when Nelson found out Art has been less than truthfull about different things he tolerated it and backed him until this one...
Nelson has lost touch with the people of the Burg and their reai problems.
Out campaigning he came onto contact with the people again and to his suprise he found out that most everyone wants this manager gone and not just because of Knox St but his general personality and attitude.. Nelson began playing politics quickly...
I feel badly for Bill.. Hes a nice person and a great family. He had the best interest for Ogdensbrg always at heart. He is personable beyond belief and warm and courteous but his downfall is he became a politican and forgot where he came from.
His ambition to becoame the head of the mayors assc in NY and his probable continuance in politics at a higher level ruined him. He became very secretive. He closed government to the people with private meetings and held continuaous executive sessions.. He let Art Sciorra run the City any way he want and backed his every move..
He isnt the only counsilor playing politics however. Shollette, Skampelel are both playing for the Democrats.. Vaugh palys for whoeveer will lisen to him..
I agree with the previous commentator that Vaugh is a bottom feeder.. His life experiences are from a text book and thats it.He needs to get a girl or woman to tag along with instead of his usuall company and possibly get married and have a family get a job and pay some taxes and most of all learn that hes not the second comming of Jesus Chirst.. GROW UP NICK..
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