Latest news with #Ogdensburg
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ogdensburg seeks state funding to update comprehensive, waterfront revitalization plans
Jul. 16—OGDENSBURG — The city is seeking funding to update its aging Comprehensive Plan as well as its Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan. On Monday night, City Council passed a resolution supporting the application of a grant through the New York State Department of State's Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Program to "update its aged comprehensive plan to align with its more current goals. Through this plan, the public and community stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide guidance and feedback to ensure each future project undertaken by the City spurs economic development, creates new and improved recreational activities for residents and visitors, and protects the City's greenspaces." Mayor Michael Tooley called it an "important first step" to find funding for the update. Council also approved the grant application for funding through the Department of State's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. "The St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie River waterfronts located in the City of Ogdensburg are vital assets to the City's economic, recreational, and environmental well-being. These waterfronts have long supported development, provided valued spaces for community recreation, attracted tourism, and contributed to the region's ecological health. To ensure these resources are managed efficiently, equitably, and sustainably, the City of Ogdensburg intends to submit applications for both the update of its Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and for the implementation of a priority waterfront project identified in the current plan," stated the resolution. In other City Council business: — The city designated City Manager Fonda Chronis as the authorized official to act on behalf of the city in regards to the $1,000,000 awarded by the Northern Border Regional Commission for the Main Street Pump Station Rehabilitation Project. — Council heard a presentation from Kobe Harrington with the St. Lawrence County Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force has the following mission statement: "To identify, investigate, and provide services for victims of human trafficking with the collaboration of task force partners all utilizing a victim-centered approach and increasing awareness within the local community." — Recommendations made by the City Charter Commission will be presented to City Council on Monday, July 28. — Monday's meeting began with a 40 minute executive session. The resolution stated it was called for "to discuss collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of civil service law." — The meeting concluded with a second executive session to "discuss proposed, pending or current litigation." After coming out of the executive session, City Council entered into a contract with Paul V. Nolan for legal consultation services to represent the city's interests in the upcoming re-licensing of the Ogdensburg Hydroelectric Project. "The services to be performed by the attorney will involve representing the city's interests in the upcoming re-licensing of the Ogdensburg Hydroelectric Project by Ampersand Ogdensburg Hydro (AOH) before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and assisting the City of Ogdensburg's City Attorney with several matters that involve FERC's regulation of the Project," stated the resolution. "The city manager and city attorney contend Paul V. Nolan, Esq. is best positioned to provide the city with these services." Nolan will charge a rate of $300 per hour with the contract term beginning July 1 through March 31, 2026. Solve the daily Crossword
National Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Hundreds of Americans turn out for 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally
In an effort to show Canadians that many Americans value the relationship between the two countries, hundreds of North Country residents came out to the 'Elbows Up for Canada' rally in Ogdensburg, N.Y. Saturday afternoon. Article content A number of signs, red T-shirts and Canadian flags could be seen in front of Ogdensburg City Hall as many upstate New York residents showed their support for their Canadian friends across the river. Article content Article content 'It's been heartening to see the enthusiasm, and the crowd has been wonderful,' said Ginger Storey-Welch, one of the organizers of the rally. 'We wanted to show Canadians that we care about them and value them.' Article content Article content Article content Overall, approximately 200 Americans showed up to the rally, many with signs and T-shirts that were Canadian-themed. Article content One of those people was Pat Kingsley, who wanted to support the cause and have her voice heard. Article content 'What Candians have been hearing from our administration is not what's in our hearts,' she said. 'Canadians have always treated us fabulously.' The rally was meant as a display of friendship amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada, and U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st state. Article content The event began at 1 p.m. at Ogdensburg City Hall, where organizers got the rally going on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Article content Along with everyday Americans, there were a few local officials who attended the rally and shared some words. Article content Article content The first speaker was Josh Pearlman, who spoke on behalf of senior New York Senator Chuck Schumer. Article content 'For generations, the United States and Canada have been close friends and staunch allies, boasting a relationship between neighbouring countries that is simply unrivaled anywhere else on the planet,' read Senator Schumer's letter. 'Recent events have strained that friendship, and unsurprisingly, it's already hurting North Country communities.' Article content Article content After Pearlman, Blake Gendebien shared some words over the loudspeaker; he is the congressional candidate for New York's 21st District, an area that covers most of the North Country. Article content Gendebien also emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Canada, Article content 'For over 200 years, our relationship has been deeply shaped by geography, trade, security and cross-cultural exchange,' said Gendebien in his speech. 'These are not Democrat or Republican issues, they're local issues that affect everyone.'
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. border city residents put their 'Elbows Up' for Canada amid trade war
Hundreds of people gathered in Ogdensburg, N.Y., at the U.S-Canada border over the Fourth of July weekend, singing songs and chanting in support of the friendship between the two nations currently at odds over questions of trade and sovereignty. The trade war, which has seen the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on various Canadian goods and threats by President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st state, has led many Canadians to boycott travel to the states. It's a decision that's been strongly felt in border communities like Ogdensburg, where more than 200 people gathered Saturday for a rally at city hall. Attendees chanted "Elbows up!" and heard speeches from organizers and locals in the wider North Country region. They then moved north to the St. Lawrence River, where people waved across the border to folks in Prescott, Ont., before singing Bridge Over Troubled Water and O Canada. Ginger Storey-Welch, the leader of a civic engagement group in the North Country and one of the rally's organizers, said that cross-border traffic across the Ogdensburg–Prescott International Bridge is down 30 per cent and it's harming her community. "I really value the relationship that our two nations have had for decades and decades. And it's really breaking my heart to see the tensions between our nations. It's just, it's not right," Storey-Welch said. Other rallies were taking place along the U.S.-Canada border, from Maine all the way to Alaska, she added. "Our relationship is critical to the local economy," said Blake Gendebien, a local dairy farmer who spoke at the rally and whose eyes are set on winning political office in Washington, D.C. "The Canadian side of the river has been very, very important to me, to my family." Gendebien called the event a tribute to Canada and its longstanding relationship with the U.S. The decline in Canadian tourists is noticeable, he said, pointing out that it's impacting small and large businesses in the North Country region. Gendebien said he plans to run in the congressional midterms next year as the Democrats' representative for New York's 21st congressional district. "When we win this thing, it's going to go back to normal and our relationship is going to be great again," Gendebien said. 'Canada is a sovereign nation' Although organizers said the rally was non-political, some attendees expressed strong grievances with President Donald Trump. Kathryn Craft, an author from Pennsylvania who has a summer place in St. Lawrence County, said she was "embarrassed" by Trump's wishes to annex Canada. "This is not how democracy works. And he does not have the right to just trump, tramp, stamp over all of our laws," Craft said. "Canada is a sovereign nation. Its inhabitants are my friends, and I want to show them that most rational human beings in the United States are on their side." Trump previously unveiled what he called "reciprocal tariffs" on roughly 90 countries in April, but later paused them for 90 days to negotiate new deals. The 90-day freeze ends July 9 and so far the U.S. has only reached agreements with Britain and Vietnam. For Canada, which was not included in the 90-day pause, an end to tariffs could be looming as both Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed to strike a trade deal by July 21. It'll be music to Storey-Welch's ears, who hopes the rallies accomplish one thing. "Friendship," she said.
CBC
06-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
U.S. border city residents put their 'Elbows Up' for Canada amid trade war
Hundreds of people gathered in Ogdensburg, N.Y., at the U.S-Canada border over the Fourth of July weekend, singing songs and chanting in support of the friendship between the two nations currently at odds over questions of trade and sovereignty. The trade war, which has seen the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on various Canadian goods and threats by President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st state, has led many Canadians to boycott travel to the states. It's a decision that's been strongly felt in border communities like Ogdensburg, where more than 200 people gathered Saturday for a rally at city hall. Attendees chanted "Elbows up!" and heard speeches from organizers and locals in the wider North Country region. They then moved north to the St. Lawrence River, where people waved across the border to folks in Prescott, Ont., before singing Bridge Over Troubled Water and O Canada. Ginger Storey-Welch, the leader of a civic engagement group in the North Country and one of the rally's organizers, said that cross-border traffic across the Ogdensburg–Prescott International Bridge is down 30 per cent and it's harming her community. "I really value the relationship that our two nations have had for decades and decades. And it's really breaking my heart to see the tensions between our nations. It's just, it's not right," Storey-Welch said. Other rallies were taking place along the U.S.-Canada border, from Maine all the way to Alaska, she added. "Our relationship is critical to the local economy," said Blake Gendebien, a local dairy farmer who spoke at the rally and whose eyes are set on winning political office in Washington, D.C. "The Canadian side of the river has been very, very important to me, to my family." Gendebien called the event a tribute to Canada and its longstanding relationship with the U.S. The decline in Canadian tourists is noticeable, he said, pointing out that it's impacting small and large businesses in the North Country region. Gendebien said he plans to run in the congressional midterms next year as the Democrats' representative for New York's 21st congressional district. "When we win this thing, it's going to go back to normal and our relationship is going to be great again," Gendebien said. 'Canada is a sovereign nation' Although organizers said the rally was non-political, some attendees expressed strong grievances with President Donald Trump. Kathryn Craft, an author from Pennsylvania who has a summer place in St. Lawrence County, said she was "embarrassed" by Trump's wishes to annex Canada. "This is not how democracy works. And he does not have the right to just trump, tramp, stamp over all of our laws," Craft said. "Canada is a sovereign nation. Its inhabitants are my friends, and I want to show them that most rational human beings in the United States are on their side." Trump previously unveiled what he called "reciprocal tariffs" on roughly 90 countries in April, but later paused them for 90 days to negotiate new deals. The 90-day freeze ends July 9 and so far the U.S. has only reached agreements with Britain and Vietnam. agreed to strike a trade deal by July 21. It'll be music to Storey-Welch's ears, who hopes the rallies accomplish one thing.
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Americans hold ‘friendship flotilla' to support Canada
Ottawa Watch Residents of Ogdensburg, N.Y. gathered to show their support for Canada through a 'Friendship Flotilla.' CTV's Jack Richardson reports.
