WATERTOWN — City police charged Daniel J. Johnson, 45, of 519 Emerson St., with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance for allegedly possessing methamphetamine at 12:03 p.m. Wednesday at 100 High St.
Mr. Johnson was released with an appearance ticket for City Court.
WATERTOWN — City police charged Victoria P. Cooper, 29, of 21 Maywood Terrace, with endangering the welfare of a child at 4:32 p.m. Thursday at her residence.
Police said Mrs. Cooper slammed a tray on her kitchen table during an argument with her boyfriend in front of her children, ages 8, 6 and 2, causing an ashtray to shatter and spread glass shards on her floor. Her 6-year-old suffered a minor cut during the incident, police said.
Mrs. Cooper was held at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building pending arraignment in City Court.
ALEXANDRIA BAY — With time against them, a group of volunteers and village workers were hard at work Friday installing floating docks at James Street.
“We’ve got to get it done,” said Nick R. Speach, a village trustee, who lent his boat to the cause. “No two ways about it.”
The village docks have been submerged for about two weeks, leading to some quick responses from local businesses owners.
Bonnie Castle Marina lent the village about 160 feet of floating docks, installed on Monday.
A group of business owners, including Gary A. “Critter” Williams and Ronald G. Thomson, were directed to an auction for floating docks from Meaford, Ontario, and after winning the auction the docks were sold to the village, passing on tens of thousands of dollars in savings.
Between the two sets of docks, there should be enough to reach the village dock fingers.
Among the volunteers was Raymond “Smitty” Smith, who used a crane from his business, Premiere Building Associates, to lift the docks, which arrived Friday afternoon after a few hours of delay at the border, into the water.
Mr. Smith said he had friends in the restaurant business that he didn’t want to see lose business.
“This water is having an impact,” he said. “The sooner we can get this in, the better.”
Village resident Steve W. Keeler said he had time between a pair of part-time jobs he holds to help with the work.
“We’ve always helped out and have it be a community thing,” he said. “That’s what we do.”
More docks are expected to be delivered today, and the rest early next week.
Volunteers and village officials said the work will not be completed for the Victoria Day celebrations this weekend, but hoped it will be done in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend.
“This is a temporary solution to keep business going,” Mr. Speach said.
Mark Reynolds, the village’s deputy mayor, said the docks won’t be open for use until they are safe for boaters.
Water levels were recorded at 248.91 feet on Thursday, the highest recorded since water levels were first measured in 1918. The previous record, set in 1952, was broken last weekend.
Video of the dock placing work can be seen at http://wdt.me/abay-docks.
May 19
Associate degree
Adams
Whitney S. Berry, individual studies
Kassandra Renee Davis, business administration
Elise McKenna-Carlisle Denney, humanities and social sciences – creative writing
Kyle R. Durham - criminal justice
Jason Matthew Eggleston, computer science
Miguel A.R. Harvey, human services
James Kenner Harvey IV, individual studies
Timothy Kelly McConnell, chemical dependency
Jennifer Ruth McLean, business administration
Kristin Nicole McLendon, human services
Jenna Marie Mooney, individual studies
Hannah F. Mullin, individual studies
Daisy Alexis Overton, criminal justice
Lauren S. Perry, humanities and social sciences
Alexander M. Pester, hospitality and tourism - culinary arts
Hayden J. Peterson, criminal justice
Jacob Michael Remington, criminal justice
Alexandrea Marie Smith, humanities and social sciences
Vanessa Marie Stearns, chemical dependency and human services
Kristie Lee Towles, human services
Adams Center
Marisa Christin Violet Clark, individual studies
Troy Alan Darrah, mathematics and science - science
Whitney T. Hallett, business administration
Makaila Leigh Houghton, mathematics and science - allied health
Halei Ashlin Loya, accounting
Chelsea Nichole Ryan, mathematics and science - science
Dorothy L. Skrutskie, early childhood
Caitlyn Nicole Slate, humanities and social sciences
Chandler Telego, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Kayla Vanderpool, mathematics and science - science
Dylan Matthew Widrick, business administration
Alexandria Bay
Molly Katherine Aznoe, human services
Troy Robert Cullen, chemical dependency
Megan E. Gascon, human services
Logan Edward Horner, individual studies
Molly Hannah Ryan, mathematics and science - science
Black River
Cassandra Morgan Birth, mathematics and science - allied health
Carie Ann Chartier, - office technologies - administrative assistant
Andrew Jacob Coon, individual studies
Logan Markus Eddy, fire protection technology and criminal justice
Sabrina A. Kane, nursing
Kylie Marie Murphy, nursing
Timothy Charles Peters, business administration
Jennifer Rebecca Rhode, humanities and social sciences
Peter James Rogers, individual studies
Amanda Anna Santos, individual studies
Brasher Falls
Rachel Rose Payne, individual studies
Brier Hill
Mikayla Elaine Horton, business administration
Brownville
Haden Winfield Scott Baker, business administration
Carlee Ann Burns, humanities and social sciences
Emily M. Cean, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management and certification in winery management and marketing
Jordan Stephen Cloonan, business administration
Colin J. Goutremout, business administration
Allison Lee Tyo, individual studies
Gabrielle Eleanore West, humanities and social sciences
Calcium
Alberto Acevedo, individual studies
Shirin McLaughlin, individual studies
Alexsis Marie Minnick, accounting
Brooke Simeon Minnick, business administration
Stefan Nicholas Powell, computer information technology
Janna Ryor, mathematics and science - science
Nicholas A. Toutant, business administration
Cape Vincent
Katelyn Nicole Docteur, childhood education
Kali Eyles - criminal justice
Amanda L. Gauthier, criminal justice
Carthage
Seth Quinn Bailey, mathematics and science - science
Katharina Basta, individual studies
Nathan Robert Bebelheimer, humanities and social sciences
Lillian E. Benson, humanities and social sciences
Carrie Lynn Denise, business administration
Allyson J. Draper, humanities and social sciences - literature
Zachary James Jackson, humanities and social sciences
Breven Paul Jacobs, individual studies
Patrick Scott Jenkins, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Peter James Kelley, criminal justice
Timothy J. King, humanities and social sciences - creative writing
Kayleigh Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, mathematics and science - science
Rebecca Joanne Lazore, business administration
Angelic Marie Lee, nursing
Charles S. Leonard II, business administration
Seraphine Ange Nga Belinga, business administration
Johnathan Paul Nutter, humanities and social sciences
Matthew Raymond Owens, criminal justice
Abdul Y.M. Sanderson, humanities and social sciences
Austin Garry Schwartz, computer science
Kylie A. Spinner, agri-business
Carolyn Mae Stevens, humanities and social sciences
Trevor James Thornton, criminal justice
Kyle P. Williams, individual studies
Tameka Shante Woodward, mathematics and science - science
Angela Marie Zielinski, humanities and social sciences
Castorland
Andrea L. Hall, humanities and social sciences
Cassie Lynn Houppert, office technologies - medical
Dana Marie Kaler, business administration
Isaac James Metzler, humanities and social sciences
Calla A. Morrison, human services
Chaumont
Tyler Joseph Davis, criminal justice
Timothy Faircloth, individual studies
Carol Lynn Reichert, nursing
Peter James Walker, humanities and social sciences
Clayton
Charlotte Joy Costantino, individual studies
Amber Leighanne Dibble, mathematics and science - science
Austin Joesph Getman, humanities and social sciences
Nicole Anne Gokey, humanities and social sciences
Jaden Charles Meeks, humanities and social sciences
Amanda Lynn Patchin, chemical dependency
Lucy Clara Reff, individual studies
Amanda Lynn Rosen, nursing
Claire Elizabeth Sheley, humanities and social sciences
Copenhagen
Caleb Robert Davisson, humanities and social sciences
Gaven Ray Munden, criminal justice
Taylor Ann St. Louis, humanities and social sciences
Croghan
Deana Ann Jantzi, humanities and social sciences
Morgan April Moore, business administration
Reganne H. Smith, mathematics and science - science
Dylan Thomas Updike, business administration
Ciera K. VerSchneider, humanities and social sciences
Dexter
Joshua Charles Daniel, criminal justice
Megan Christina Davis, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Michaela Duffy McCargar, nursing
Devon Reed Meunier, mathematics and science - science
Nicholas J. Nortz, humanities and social sciences
Sara Jean Pond, early childhood
Connor A. Tarzia, sports management
Joshua Eddison Velasquez, sports management
Ryan David Ward, business administration
Joan Marie Weeks, individual studies
Stephen A. Wilson, business administration
Evans Mills
Brighton Allen Bernard, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Jonas K.F. Colbert, mathematics and science - science
Vaneshia Ladama Ford, individual studies
Connor William Hajdasz, physical education
Bridgette Anne Haley, individual studies
Lawrence Wayne Landreth Jr,.individual studies
Jessica Vaughn McKenzie, mathematics and science - allied health
Michelle Marie Murphy, humanities and social sciences
River John Simard, mathematics and science - science
Felts Mills
Robert Lee White Sr,.business administration
Fishers Landing
Joanne B. Goldkopf, individual studies
Fort Drum
Megan Ashley Aguilar, individual studies
Kemo Earlington Antonio Allen, engineering science
Susan Elizabeth Baker, individual studies
Lorne M. Braden, business administration
Eric Framone Chargois Sr., individual studies
Cornelius A. Chatman, individual studies
Bryan Joseph Gilmer, individual studies
Ashley Renee Hill, humanities and social sciences
Alisa Sherea Hopkins, nursing
Andrew William Johnson, humanities and social sciences
Jackalyn Knight LaFave, business administration
Nicholas Kyle Loving, individual studies
Glennanne Gresola Nagales, chemical dependency and human services
John C. Rodriguez, individual studies
Julie Ann Ruballos, individual studies
Courtney Schiefer, paralegal
Jill A. Summers, business administration
Marley Kepano Teague, humanities and social sciences
Glen Park
Dylan Robert Davis, sports management
Kristy Lee Deline, human services
Gouverneur
Emily Margaret Bush, mathematics and science - allied health
Richelle Lee Larsen, accounting
Nicholas J. Melillo, criminal justice
Nikolaus A. Simione, zoo technology
McKayla Lynn Walker, criminal justice
Great Bend
Darren Patrick Lemorta, criminal justice
Hammond
Melissa Lynne Schnell, individual studies
Harrisville
Malarie Elise Baker, individual studies
Ashlee Fowler, humanities and social sciences - psychology
David Michael Huston, business administration
Justine Marie Schuerfeld, office technologies - medical
Henderson
Jacob L. Hatch, humanities and social sciences
Tammy Ludwig, mathematics and science - allied health
Ashley Marie Marrotta, individual studies
LaFargeville
Kacy Lou Appleton, humanities and social sciences - creative writing
Lacey Ann Marie Black, humanities and social sciences
Taylor Christina Davis, humanities and social sciences
June Lucille Desormeau - A.S. Criminal Justice
Amber Klock, office technologies - medical
Mikayla Lynn Peters, humanities and social sciences
Alexandria Lynn Reczko, human services
Haley L. Reff, nursing
Lacona
Lauren Grace Bianco, physical education
Stephanie Pyatak, accounting
Lorraine
Brandon Christopher Dibble, criminal justice
Sarah Jane Gydesen, human services
Lowville
Rachel Eleanor Lee Brown, agri-business
Ian Patrick Collins, sports management
Emily Rose Earl, business administration
Connor Michael Fayle, humanities and social sciences
Kaitlin Elizabeth Fayle, humanities and social sciences
Jeffrey William Helms-Bean, computer information technology
Kyle J. Kirkwood, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Laura Beth Little, humanities and social sciences
Sarah Gabrielle Nellenback, humanities and social sciences
Morgan Patrick Roberts, individual studies
Ryan Ashley Schneider, nursing
Ashley Ann Stocking, humanities and social sciences
Benjamin Hawkin Wakefield, mathematics and science - science
Lyndsey Young, accounting
Mannsville
Brittany Morgan Collins, accounting
Jared Michael Crast, individual studies
Kiersten Liana Guthro, humanities and social sciences
Kendra D. Tryon, individual studies
Morristown
Samantha Rae Green, chemical dependency
Natural Bridge
Peter Glenn Bolt, computer information technology
Zoe Jane Kitiara Offley, hospitality and tourism - winery management and marketing
Bruce Alan Steele II, computer information technology
Darci L. Weaver, business administration
Ogdensburg
Luke Garrison King, physical education
Riley E. Luckie, physical education
Parish
Alexandra Lynn Mueller, business administration
Stephanie Lindsey Pike, engineering science and mathematics and science - mathematics
David A. Spencer, individual studies
Philadelphia
Kylee L. Beckstead, criminal justice
Kenneth Brennan, computer science
Che Cass, accounting
Kortni Elizabeth Derouin, mathematics and science - science
Jacob Eric LaClair, physical education
Michelle Lee Tri, early childhood
Plessis
Cassandra Jon Purtell, humanities and social sciences
Port Leyden
Chloe G. Stinebrickner - A.S. Physical Education
Pulaski
Autumn Darling, humanities and social sciences
Kayla Elizabeth Farmer, nursing
Redwood
Megan Rylee Brady, humanities and social sciences
Anthony Franklyn Fields, individual studies
Andrea Marie Laclair, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Sara Sun, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Rodman
Rebecca S. Abrams, human services
Cheri Ann Backus, chemical dependency
Emily Carol Ann Ferguson, mathematics and science - allied health
Catherine Livingston, childhood education
Sackets Harbor
Jaci Lyn Barnett, nursing
Nicole E. Flansburg, business administration
Lauren L. Harrienger, humanities and social sciences
Nicholas A. Neddo, criminal justice
Bianca Marie Rios, mathematics and science - allied health
Jennifer E. Van Ness, human services
Sandy Creek
Bradley Clark, humanities and social sciences
Shane Rowell, chemical dependency
Theresa Rose Waterstraat, early childhood
Alexander L. Willms, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Theresa
Shannon Doe Bartlett, humanities and social sciences
Michelle Ann Bourgal, paralegal
Chelsea Marie Broughton, individual studies
Brian Patrick Chester, accounting
Jeffrey Lee Davidson, business administration
Heather L. Gill, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Theresa Jane Henault, humanities and social sciences - creative writing
Sarah Ann Hilyer, human services
Ryan Wesley Loar, engineering science
Miranda Lynn Rayome, human services
Brett Hunter Shippee, individual studies
Three Mile Bay
Tiffany Marie Randall, human services
Michael Woflgang Schimpff, hospitality and tourism - sulinary arts
Watertown
Cora Jeanne Adams, individual studies
Michelle Claire Alba, human services
Kodie Diane Anderson, nursing
John William Andrews, business administration
Marc L. Augliano, business administration
Michael Joseph Bamann, accounting
Sarah Kay Bartlett, individual studies
Tara Mae Blair, accounting
Dillon A. Bunce, humanities and social sciences
Jesse Robert Buzzell, criminal justice
Joel Patrick Carbone, humanities and social sciences
Maria P. Castillo-Brandle, chemical dependency
Danielle Marie Catania, humanities and social sciences
Chad Allen Claflin, individual studies
Mary E. Conley, chemical dependency
Ian Patrick Corbett, humanities and social sciences
Jodi Anne Countryman, human services
Jessica Cushenberry, accounting
Andrew Dexter Dayton, physical education
Sarah Anna DeNardo, mathematics and science - science
Mackenzie E. Denny, business administration
Della Louise DeRosier, early childhood
Ashlie Dominguez - A.A.S. business administration
Madison May Draper, childhood education
Paige Duprey, chemical dependency
Ashlyn Marie Engelhart, humanities and social sciences
Michael Nicholas Espino, business administration
Jillian Forziati, childhood education
Jacob Gerald Fox, sports management
Cynthia Liz Fultz Martinez, accounting
Thomas J. Gerstenschlager, business administration
Eric M. Gibbs, physical education
Benjamin Glenn Godbout, business administration
Candice Gozalkowski, nursing
Daniel Patrick Grant, criminal justice
JoAnna Darlene Grewe, individual studies
Chelsea Gushlaw, humanities and social sciences
Leeman S. Haga, criminal justice
Christopher Michael Hague Sr., nursing
Steven Robert Hatchell II, criminal justice
Casey Lynn Hughes, individual studies and mathematics and science - allied health
Adrianne Marie Isenbergh, nursing
Christina M. Jean-Pierre, business administration
Petrina Jocko, mathematics and science - science
Melena Louise Johnson, individual studies
William James Kenney, accounting
Bronislava Komar, humanities and social sciences
Maria Joy Komar, humanities and social sciences
Rayanne Gentile Kuhner, mathematics and science - science
Killian Michael Ladue, humanities and social ciences
Patrick Ryan Lafary, humanities and social sciences - literature
Katelyn Marcy Leveto, zoo technology
Rebecca Lynn Lovely, individual studies
Angela Marie Makuch, criminal justice
Eric John Maphey, nursing
Torrie A. Marino, mathematics and science - allied health
Darlene Dee Martinez, humanities and social sciences
Christina D. Mathewson, individual studies
Mailie Pearl McClusky, humanities and social sciences - psychology
Jacob Tyler McConahay, humanities and social sciences
Kason Jerick McGriff, individual studies
Sarah Violet McIntosh, early childhood
Hannsen Y. Meneses, mathematics and science - allied health
Cherish P. Meroth, business administration
Dylan Mitchell, criminal justice
Curtis Lamont Mosely, individual studies
Eric Daniel Mullin, criminal justice
Babou Claver Nebie, engineering science
Emmanuel Dejesus Olivo, physical education
Gabriella Antonia Orsini, office technologies - medical
Denise Elizabeth Parker, individual studies
Renee Lee Patterson, business administration
Zachary S. Perry, humanities and social sciences
Jorge Wendover Ramos Panimboza, individual studies
Taylor Mackenzie Reed, humanities and social sciences - creative writing
Roy William Richard, mathematics and science - science
Kennedy Ireland Riley, mathematics and science - science
Michelle Amy Rubes, early childhood
Christina A. Russo, early childhood
Drew A. Safford, engineering science
Chaniece Kaya Saint-Val, mathematics and science - allied health
Emily Saumier, childhood education
Joseph Allen Seeber, fire protection technology
Christian Lee Seymour, humanities and social sciences - literature
Spencer Christopher Sharlow, individual studies
Derryl T. Skinner, individual studies
Priscilla Ann Smith, criminal justice
Katharina Mae Spencer, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Anna Katharina Stacy, humanities and social sciences
Taylor Anne Storey, humanities and social sciences
Danielle Catherine Sullivan, accounting
David Joseph Talbot, criminal justice
Defrance Lavette Taper, accounting
Jonathan Theodore Terpstra, business administration
Joelee Tooley-Pilon, mathematics and science - science
Katherine Ann Underhile, childhood education
Krystal Dale Vega, individual studies
Mailie Velazquez, humanities and social sciences
Javier Ventura, individual studies and business administration
Justin Louis Ward, human services
Matthew Chase Ward, individual studies
Robert L. Ward III, individual studies
Harry Erhardt Werner IV, engineering science
Kendra L. Wheeler, chemical dependency
Megan Virginia Widrick, hospitality and tourism - hotel/restaurant management
Douglas J. Worley, hospitality and tourism - culinary arts
Shyanne L. Yelle, individual studies
Stephany Nichole Youngs, chemical dependency and human services
Wellesley Island
Alphonse Vincent Renzi, humanities and social sciences
Woodville
Kristin A. VanBrocklin, business administration
Certificates
Adams Center
Ninette R. Garrett, paramedic
Brownville
Jeffrey Carl Hammond, energy technology
Calcium
Rebecca Dawn Bell, paramedic
Cape Vincent
Rodger Raymond Dowling III, paramedic
Philadelphia
Amy Lynn Beckstead, accounting
Melissa A. Brook, paramedic
Sackets Harbor
Danielle Marie Intschert, paramedic
Mary Kathleen Murphy, teaching assistant
Theresa
Tiffanie Eppolito, teaching assistant
Watertown
Christopher Alexander Maxwell, paramedic
Benjamin Scott Smith, paramedic
Matthew R. Thomas, paramedic
WATERTOWN — Worn and tattered American flags will be collected at the Dulles State Office Building, Washington Street, until May 25 to be disposed during a Memorial Watchfire.
The Watchfire, organized by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 103, will take place May 28 at the state Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
All flags collected will be properly folded prior to disposal at the Watchfire event.
“This year, across New York, we are offering drop-off locations statewide to ensure that old, worn American flags can be retired with respect and honor,” said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in a statement. “If you or any of your friends or neighbors are in possession of a tattered flag, I encourage you to visit one of our various drop-off locations across the state to allow the flag to be properly disposed of.”
More information about the Watchfire can be found at http://wdt.me/watchfire.
With the increased water levels throughout the region, and along Lake Ontario and its tributaries in particular, many homeowners are using barrels to mark their docks and assist in weighing them down. This also increases the safety of the waterway by helping mark potential hazards posed by otherwise submerged/unseen docks.
However, if these barrels are swept off docks and float away, the Coast Guard is tasked with recovering them.
If the barrels are unmarked, by law, the Coast Guard has to classify such drums as “Mystery Drums” because contents are unknown and could possibly contain dangerous chemical or petroleum products. Significant diligence is required in processing these sorts of unidentified containers, up to and including the services of a hazardous material contractor to recover the drum out of the waterway and verify there is no risk to the public or environment from the contents — at costs that may exceed $5,000 per drum. Additionally, Coast Guard personnel are required to stay on scene with the mystery drum, thus taking away an asset from other local emergency responses.
The Coast Guard requests homeowners assist by marking barrels they have placed on their docks by painting or marking a large red “X” on the drum so that Coast Guard crews can quickly identify it as a non-hazardous drum, allowing its origin/contents to be resolved without the need of further specialized investigation.
Questions should be directed to the Coast Guard Sector Command Center in Buffalo by calling 716-843-9527.
WATERTOWN — The Armed Forces Day parade this morning will feature military units and vehicles from Fort Drum and a wide range of local bands and community groups.
The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m., traveling down Washington Street from Watertown High School to the Dulles State Office Building, then turn off to Clinton Street, where marchers will disband.
The parade’s theme is “America’s Heroes.”
Six bands are set to participate in the parade, including the United States Army’s 10th Mountain Division Band, the Original Yanks Drum and Bugle Corps., Brockville Pipe Band and high school bands from Carthage, LaFargeville, Indian River, Pulaski and Alexandria Bay.
Community organizations will also compete in categories such as Best Float, Best Community Marching Group and Best Scout Group.
WATERTOWN — In Jefferson County Court Thursday, Daniel J. Glazier, 49, of Pulaski, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sex act.
Glazier admitted that, while employed as a registered nurse in Samaritan Medical Center’s inpatient mental health unit, he touched a male patient’s genitals with his mouth. A third-degree criminal sex act is considered a Class E felony in New York.
The incident occurred on Aug. 3, 2016, in the hospital’s 32-bed mental health unit, which helps patients “who are experiencing a severe psychiatric crisis,” according to its website.
The 24-year-old victim was incapable of giving consent due to his being a patient in the mental health unit.
On the day of the nurse’s arrest, Samaritan Medical Center spokeswoman Krista A. Kittle told a Times reporter that Glazier was suspended without pay “the moment we heard of the allegation.”
Ms. Kittle said that he represented “an isolated incident” was caused by “an individual who certainly did not follow those rules” set forth by the hospital.
City police were aided by investigators from the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.
Glazier’s sentencing is scheduled for July 19, when he is expected to be sentenced to 10 years’ probation and forced to register as a sex offender. As of Friday, his nursing license is valid until 2020.
WATERTOWN — City police charged Isaiah A. Thomas, 16, of 341 N. Michigan Ave., with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and Isaiah J. Ballenger, 17, of 203 St. Mary St. with fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property at 11:20 a.m. Sunday at the city police department.
Police said Mr. Thomas was driving a stolen car with help from Mr. Ballenger. Mr. Ballenger also allegedly possessed a stolen Visa debit gift card.
Both Mr. Thomas and Mr. Ballenger were released with appearance tickets to City Court.
WATERTOWN — Watertown businessman Christopher M. Swartz was remanded to federal marshals’ custody Friday for allegedly violating conditions of his release as he awaits sentencing in U.S. District Court, Utica, on charges that he defrauded lenders and investors out of more than $9.5 million and failed to pay millions more in taxes.
Mr. Swartz, former principal owner of Jreck Subs and other business entities, was ordered held by Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks pending a detention hearing Tuesday in Utica. All court documents related to the revocation of his release, including the reason prosecutors requested the revocation, have been ordered sealed by Judge Dancks.
Mr. Swartz pleaded guilty Sept. 19 to wire fraud and tax evasion. He had been free on $3 million bond since entering the pleas.
Mr. Swartz controlled Jreck between 2002 and 2015 under various entity names. He also was president and director of North Country Hospitality Inc., which at one point owned Alteri Bakery, Sackets Harbor Brewing Co., Sackets Harbor Brew Pub, Goodfellos Brick Oven Pizza and Wine Bar and five Jreck stores.
According to a plea agreement in the case, Mr. Swartz induced lenders and investors into giving him funds while making false promises to repay them at high interest rates and making fraudulent representations about how the money would be spent. He also gave investors “stock kickers” and equity interests in the business, providing a purported share of the assets and funds held by the companies.
When he failed to repay the investors and legal action was threatened, he alleviated concerns by making limited payments to the investors, including using many checks that he knew would bounce because of insufficient funds, “hoping to convince lenders that he intended to repay in full.” Many of these promises of payments or excuses for nonpayment were transmitted over interstate wire or mail, leading to the wire fraud charge.
Mr. Swartz also concealed and disguised his assets and income from the investors to prevent recovery of their funds. According to the agreement, he commingled funds in bank accounts, made extensive use of cash transactions, caused multiple name changes to businesses he controlled, including Jreck, “to make the traceability of ownership more difficult” and to disguise his control of multiple business entities.
The agreement states that Mr. Swartz used corporate, partnership and business bank accounts to “divert monies for his own benefit without reporting such diversions as income.” He disguised diversion of money from corporate accounts for personal use by characterizing in the business’s books that the money was being used for loans, fixed-asset expenditures, various business expenses and other false entries. He used multiple bank accounts to “commingle, transfer and disperse monies he took out of the businesses,” making “extensive use of cash transactions to diminish the traceability of funds.”
He also filed false individual income tax returns and partnership returns for Jreck. The agreement states that Mr. Swartz failed to declare “substantial additional wages and salaries he earned” and substantial additional income he received in the form of personal diversions from Jreck.
According to the agreement, the exact amount of money lost by investors has not been tallied, but the government has reserved the right to advocate at sentencing that the loss exceeded $9.5 million, but was less than $25 million. The government also will argue that the tax loss amount exceeded $3.5 million, but was not more than $9.5 million.
Mr. Swartz faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 when he is sentenced, which is now scheduled to occur July 12. He will also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims and the federal government and agree to have no further ownership interest in the Jreck franchise.
By Friday afternoon, more than 100 people were gathered at the top of Thompson Park, taking shifts shoveling gravel, assembling equipment, feeding fellow volunteers and getting their hands all-around dirty.
Yesterday was the first day of construction on the Thompson Park Children’s Playground and the community build is already ahead of schedule.
According to the city’s Parks and Recreation Superintendent Erin E. Gardner, the construction could be complete as early as this afternoon, though it may still go into Sunday. The community build was originally scheduled through Sunday evening.
“We’re way ahead,” Ms. Gardner said.
Chris L. Andiorio was inspired to help organize the community build by his own memories of growing up on the old playground and the prospect of making more with his two sons on the new playground.
“Memories have brought out a lot of people (to volunteer,)” Mr. Andiorio said. “Of the 11 organizers, all but one are locals.”
Molly A. Hale brought her 5-year-old daughter Grace N. Hale to volunteer together. The Hale family began using the park when they moved here nine years ago.
“We used the playground a lot,” Ms. Hale said. “The old playground was very loved, but I think the changes are going to be terrific ... (and) well-received.”
Ms. Hale noted the wide range of volunteers, of all ages — from Fort Drum soldiers to real estate agents to mothers and children.
“The 10th Mountain Division is always eager to volunteer,” Ms. Gardner said. “They’re working their butts off, they’re happy to be here and they’re having fun.”
Ms. Gardner said that, while going strong, the build is still in need of volunteers. Construction will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. this weekend, until finished.
Organizers are asking volunteers to bring what tools they can, primarily rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and utility knives.
The largest job left is laying wood chips — six tractor-trailer loads of it to be exact.
Food is provided for free to volunteers by a number of local restaurants, including Art’s Jug, Savory Restaurant, Jreck Subs, Texas Roadhouse, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sam’s Club and Mr. Rick’s Bakery.
The city is working with Parkitects Inc., a Tompkins County-based firm specializing in parks and playgrounds, to design and install the new equipment.
The city has received a $50,000 boost from the state to help finance the project. The remainder of its cost will come from the 2016-17 capital improvements budget.
Last fall, about 20 children and their parents gathered in the H.T. Wiley School cafeteria to share their ideas and help pick out what the new playground should include.
The playground also will give children of all ages and abilities a chance to play on it, including children in wheelchairs.
“(All) the different departments of the city worked so well together on this,” Ms. Gardner said. “We had great teamwork and a great atmosphere. It’s fun to work in an environment like that.”
MASSENA — Massena Town Council members will spend $4,500 on two to three 15-second spots that will be produced by WPBS Digital TV to promote Massena.
Supervisor Joseph D. Gray said the spots are an offshoot of a show WPBS produces called “Fishing Behind the Lines” with Donald Meissner, the town’s sports fishing promotion director. The station had done spots for Watertown and sent a proposal for Massena’s council members to review.
“We do have money left in the promotional budget to cover it,” Mr. Gray said during this week’s Town Council meeting.
He said WPBS reaches across the border to Montreal and Ottawa, where it’s popular and could help lure some residents to Massena.
“What they did with ‘Discover Watertown’ was very impressive. You might get more than you’re thinking you’ll get,” Mr. Meissner said.
Councilman Thomas C. Miller said he had some initial reservations, wondering how it would benefit the town and if it would be a better avenue than social media.
“It could be used on social media,” Mr. Gray said, noting the spots would have uses beyond the television broadcast.
Mr. Miller wondered what had happened with a previous promotional video that had been produced for the town, and Mr. Gray said it had not been used other than airing on the Discovery Channel.
The video was aired as part of a program called “Communities of Distinction.” The town did not have its use until after it aired, but once it was broadcast, it was free for the town to use.
Councilmen had agreed in May 2014 to spend nearly $20,000 to create the promotional video that was narrated by NFL Hall of Famer, former quarterback Terry Bradshaw. The segment was scheduled to air at least once on the Discovery Channel as part of a television show hosted by Mr. Bradshaw, and was also scheduled to air other times on regional networks across the U.S.
The town used casino gaming compact money to pay for the video.
During this week’s meeting, council members also agreed to join village of Massena officials in paying for some of the cost of maps that will be produced for the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce. Village officials had approved spending $2,500 and the town followed suit. The chamber will need to make up the remaining $5,000 for the map project, which costs $10,000. The town will use money from its promotional budget to cover the expense.
Mr. Gray said the chamber previously had maps produced, but the new ones will look “less cartoonish, if you will.” The chamber will sell ads around the perimeter of the map, available as a hard copy and online.
“I like the fact that we can change it electronically,” he said.
“It’s definitely needed. We need something,” Mr. Miller said.
OGDENSBURG — Nearly 400 local schoolchildren from the Ogdensburg, Heuvelton and Morristown districts had a chance to step back in time Friday as part of an annual gathering designed to teach the youth of today about the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Living History Day is sponsored by the Fort de la Présentation Association, Heuvelton Central School, Ogdensburg City Schools, the Heuvelton Lions Club, the Ogdensburg Teachers Association, the Heuvelton Teachers Association, the Morristown Teachers Association and the Heuvelton Parent Teachers Association.
This is the eighth year the educational gathering has been held in Ogdensburg. Typically the event takes place at the historic Fort de la Presentation site at Van Rensselaer Point, but this year the students and re-enactors met at the Lockwood Civic Center and arena because the fort grounds along the St. Lawrence River were too wet.
Despite the change in venues, students attending were able to experience what it was like to live in colonial Northern New York by participating in demonstrations ranging from rope making to how to load and fire a musket.
Dallas R. Robinson, a re-enactor from Norfolk, manned one of the most popular living history stations. Wielding a .60-caliber musket dating to 1690, Mr. Robinson handed out wooden replicas and then organized the school children to teach them how to set up a firing line for battle.
“When the front rank kneels and fires, the back rank is already loaded,” Mr. Robinson said. “It takes about a minute to reload, so once the front rank fires, you have to move quickly to the back so the rank standing can now kneel and fire.”
Mr. Robinson said this is the third year he has attended the Living History Day and enjoys watching how excited the children can become.
“I know this is one of the most popular events,” he said.
Riley A. Hough, a 14-year-old period re-enactor was in charge of a historical station that introduced children to toys from the colonial days. Like the station introducing kids to colonial weapons, the historic toy introduction appeared equally engrossing.
Ten-year-old Camden Griffith, a student at Madill Elementary School in Ogdensburg, said the games were fun.
“It’s basically a stick and a ring,” he said. “But it’s still pretty cool.”
Mr. Griffith said he also likes learning about colonial weapons, like the musket.
“It was pretty cool to hold,” he said.
Barbara O’Keefe, president of the Fort de la Presentation Association, said she never grows tired of watching the youngsters interact with the historical presenters.
“They always learn so much,” she said.
The Fort Association is a nonprofit corporation based in Ogdensburg. Its mission is to sponsor or benefit the historically accurate reconstruction of Fort de la Présentation in close proximity to the original site, and to administer an ongoing presence. The group also strives to educate and recreate educational or historical ventures of interest to the region, according to officials.
MASSENA — Massena’s mayor says pipes in a town of Massena water district in East Massena are in bad shape and causing the village to lose money. But Town Council members say they’re aware of the problem and are trying to find the funding to fix the problem.
Timmy J. Currier shared his concerns in a joint meeting of the village and town boards on Thursday.
“We’re well aware of the conditions and something needs to be done soon,” Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray said.
Mr. Gray said officials intend to address the issue, but can’t do that until funding becomes available. He said the project had not been funded through two rounds of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
“If we get funding, we’re going to start right away,” he said.
Mr. Gray said the problem is the result of work that wasn’t done correctly in the first place. A water main pipe that should have lasted for about 40 years deteriorated after 10 to 12 years and is in need of replacement.
“It’s going to cost money because they didn’t do the job. As a result, we have to replace 4,000 feet of line,” he said.
He said that because of the time elapsed since the initial work, the statute of limitations to take action against the contractor has expired.
“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Mr. Gray said.
The water main pipe issue affects areas of North Raquette Road, near the state Route 131 bridge and part of Trippany Road.
Deputy Supervisor Albert N. Nicola said the town has asked U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., for his assistance.
“He is looking at it for us. There is a sense of urgency,” he said.
Mr. Gray said municipal officials have also been in contact with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, as well as state Sen. Joseph Griffo and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.
Steve Daily, the village’s Water Department foreman, said there is a “dire need” to replace the line because it is causing the loss of a great deal of money.
“When it breaks, you lose 300,000 gallons instantly. That’s water that nobody’s paying for. The urgency is, time is not on your side,” he said.
OGDENSBURG — A raid on a Ford Street apartment Wednesday led to the arrest of four people and seizure of an undisclosed amount of narcotics.
City police charged Brian J. O’Marah, 29, of 1513 Ford St., Apt. C, with felony second-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon: brass knuckles, both felonies, and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Nicole M. Steinburg, 34, of the same address, was charged with felony third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine. Also charged were Dylan A. Arquitt, 26, of 223 Gates St., with two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and Richard K. Reese, 28, of 615 Morris St., with one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Police charge that the arrests followed the execution of a search warrant on Mr. O’Marah’s and Ms. Steinburg’s apartment when they said they observed the quartet with a quantity of narcotics in plain view, along with evidence related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
All four people are being held in city lockup pending arraignment.
The Ogdensburg Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit was assisted by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, state parole officials and State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team.
CANTON — Canton high school students had the chance to help publicize an environmental issue that’s expected to kill ash trees throughout St. Lawrence County.
On Tuesday, 14 students from the school’s advanced placement environmental science class and their teacher, Tom Van de Water, came out to help members of the Canton Tree Commission and the county’s Emerald Ash Borer Task Force.
The groups were involved with tagging ash trees on the village’s public property.
Last year, the tree commission conducted an inventory of street trees in the village, finding 80 ash trees on public property.
Every one of these trees, and every ash tree on private property, will be killed within the next several years when the emerald ash borer arrives in the county, according to a prediction from county officials.
Paul Hetzler, horticulture and natural resources educator at the county’s Cornell Cooperative Extension branch, noted that “Since being discovered in Michigan in 2002, EABs have spread to 22 states and three Canadian provinces, and have killed over 100 million ash trees. Even though EAB is not here yet, it is as close as Syracuse, and it has been found all along the Canadian shoreline.”
Mr. Hetzler noted that EAB, which is native to northern China, has no natural predators in the United States, therefore there is little that can be done to stop its advance, “although research is ongoing.”
He said the purpose of the ash tree-tagging event in Canton was “to let people in Canton know that they have ash trees in their midst. Most people don’t know. They also don’t know that when ash trees die from EAB infestation, they become significantly weakened and subject to catastrophic collapse. When local officials and the public learn about the danger of EAB infestation, they will be motivated to do something.”
The EAB Task Force, a volunteer group that Mr. Hetzler chairs, is working with local officials to prepare community management plans that will enable them to plan how best to deal with EAB and the resulting dead trees.
Some urbanized areas may have up to 25 percent of tree cover in ash trees, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
While removal of dead or damaged ash trees will be a primary task of ash tree management, Mr. Hetzler said a property owner or local government might be able to treat individual trees with insecticides and save them from EAB. The treatment can be expensive and must be continued for years. However, the option can be considered for individual trees in special places such as the two ash trees located in the village park.
Onondaga County is reported to be planning to treat some ash trees for as long as 25 years.
Mr. Hetzler said most of the village’s ash trees are in Bend in the River Park, at the end of Lincoln Street, which has 50 or more ash trees, mostly along the Grasse River bank. Willow Island Park also has a smaller concentration of ash trees. Other publicly-owned ash trees are primarily on various tree lawns around the community.
Mr. Hetzler noted that the county’s public safety complex on Court Street has five ash trees that were tagged. A small park across Pearl Street had two ash trees tagged.
The tags are meant to remain on the trees throughout the spring and summer and into fall.
By that time, Mr. Hetzler said, “People will have reached an awareness of the ash tree resource in the community, and hopefully they will be ready to plan to manage this resource.”
CANTON — The lawyers representing Oral “Nick” Hillary in a state malicious-prosecution claim have now filed a complaint with a federal court with a “jury trial demanded” on allegations that he was deprived of his civil rights.
The 41-page civil complaint filed with the U.S. Eastern District Court on Monday also includes 71 pages of exhibits in support of the allegations within the complaint.
Among the named parties are St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy John E. Jones Jr., St. Lawrence County District Attorney Mary E. Rain and Onondaga County DA William J. Fitzpatrick.
Mr. Hillary’s attorneys, Amy Marion and Bruce Barket of Barket, Marion, Epstein & Kearon, LLP, Garden City, charge that he was “deprived of his civil rights and sustained injury as a result of the deprivations of his civil rights.”
“This is a civil rights action seeking damages arising out of Defendants’ violation of the rights secured by the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and arising under the laws and State of New York, and arising out of Defendants’ defamatory statements,” Mr. Hillary’s attorneys argue.
This is the fourth filing made by Mr. Hillary’s attorneys following his Sept. 28 acquittal of the 2011 murder of 12-year-old Garrett J. Phillips following a bench trial in St. Lawrence County Court by Presiding Judge Felix J. Catena.
Currently, Mr. Hillary has a malicious-prosecution notice of claim filed before the Supreme Court for the County of St. Lawrence and one before the Supreme Court for the County of Onondaga making allegations that include police cover-ups and prosecutors fabricating evidence against him in the murder.
Additionally, Mr. Hillary’s has a civil lawsuit against the village of Potsdam and its police department for claims that his civil rights were violated during the investigation. That lawsuit has been scheduled to go to trial July 10 in Albany, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gary L. Sharpe, who will be presiding over the case.
Many of the allegations in the complaint filed in federal court reflect the earlier filings, including arguments that Mr. Hillary’s attorneys believe that the investigation against him was part of a conspiracy to target Mr. Hillary for Garrett’s murder. His attorneys also allege that the indictment and subsequent trial under Ms. Rain’s office was an act of retaliation for his filing a civil suit against Potsdam.
“In March of 2013, six months after Mr. Hillary commenced his lawsuit, Mary E. Rain, a former police officer for over 15 years, announced that she would be seeking election for St. Lawrence County District Attorney; explaining that she was ‘encouraged’ to do so by ‘local law enforcement officials and officers,’” the complaint states. “When she announced an indictment in the case within six months of winning her election, she gave thanks to ‘the fabulous job done by Potsdam PD and New York State Police,’ the local law enforcement who were being sued by Mr. Hillary and who had ‘encouraged her to run for the job.’”
Mr. Hillary’s attorneys are seeking damages that they said would be determined at trial but would exceed $150,000.
Also named in the federal case as defendants are St. Lawrence County; the county District Attorney’s Office; unidentified Jane/John Doe 1-10 St. Lawrence County employees; unidentified Jane/John Doe 11-20 St. Lawrence County District Attorney employees; unidentified Jane/John Doe 21-30 St. Lawrence County Sheriff employees; the village of Potsdam; the village Police Department; former Potsdam police chief Edward Tischler, individually and in his official capacity; former village of Potsdam police Chief Kevin M. Bates; former Potsdam police Lt. (presently acting chief of police) Mark Murray, individually and in his official capacity; unidentified Jane/John Doe village of Potsdam employees 31-40; Onondaga County; New York State Police; New York State Police Officer Gary Snell, individually and in his official capacity; New York State Police Investigator Theodore Levinson; New York State Police Investigator Tim Peets; Ray Wickenheiser, individually and in his official capacity as director, Crime Lab System, New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center; Julie Pizziketti, individually and in her official capacity as director of biological science, New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center; and unidentified Jane/John Doe 41-50 New York State Police employees.
To read the full complaint, visit https://www.scribd.com/document/348873971/05-15-Hillary-Federal-Complaint-w-Exhibits.
WATERTOWN — A professor emeritus of Jefferson Community College told 420 soon-to-be graduates that they have an obligation to make whichever community they live in a better place.
“Give back,” Richard L. Halpin said. “You can. You should.”
During his keynote address at JCC’s 53rd annual spring commencement ceremony, Mr. Halpin, a former JCC social sciences professor, said communities and their beliefs and behaviors shape the residents in them, but those same residents can shape their communities. The people who can make their communities “vigorous” are the people who are “high-functioning” and involved.
Mr. Halpin, who retired from JCC in 2002, encouraged graduates to volunteer 10 hours each month to help out local functions like youth sports programs and places like their local library and fire department. He told them how he heard members of several communities complain about certain problems and would use the pronoun “they” to designate the people in charge of fixing them.
“There is no ‘they’ anymore,” he said. “The big they is us. It’s you.”
During his 29-year tenure, Mr. Halpin served as the founding director for the Center for Community Studies at JCC. He was appointed to the position in 1999.
Mr. Halpin said the center is integral to Jefferson County and Northern New York by providing scientific and “unbiased” information about communities for residents.
“It’s one of the assets that makes this college special,” he said.
Student speaker Casey L. Hughes celebrated the diversity of students who made up her graduating class including single mothers, veterans, students from other countries and students who began their college careers right after high school, and described how all students worked toward one goal: receiving an education.
Ms. Hughes, who graduated with an associate degree in mathematics and science and an associate degree in individual studies, said her fellow graduates should remember the experiences that shaped their college careers, including their embarrassments such as falling upstairs and sleeping in too late and the hard work they dedicated to studying and extracurricular activities.
“Being a college student isn’t easy, but we did it and we’re ready to take on the future,” she said.
The diverse class Ms. Hughes described also shared a common sense of accomplishment for earning degrees and motivation toward finding a career or furthering their education.
Sgt. 1st Class Cornelius A. Chatman, who graduated with an associate degree in individual studies, said he will attend Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala., where he will pursue a bachelor degree in either criminal justice or human resources management. Mr. Chatman has served in the Army for 17 years and was deployed to Iraq three times and Afghanistan once.
“I’m excited because it’s been 17 years going at this,” he said about earning his degree. “I’m excited about the opportunity for accomplishing one of my goals.”
Sarah V. McIntosh, who celebrated her second time graduating from JCC by earning an associate degree in early childhood education, said she plans to study psychology at SUNY Geneseo. Spc. M. Chase Ward, who graduated with an associate degree in individual studies, said he wants to earn a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in teaching and coaching.
“I feel like it’s a big accomplishment in my life,” said Mr. Ward, who is stationed at Fort Drum and serves as a generator mechanic.
Carole A. McCoy, JCC’s outgoing president, congratulated the Class of 2017 graduates during her final commencement ceremony as president before retiring.
Ms. McCoy said she will cherish every memory she made since she was appointed the college’s fifth president in 2007.
“These students should be so proud of themselves,” she said. “I’m proud of them.”
OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority held a ceremony Friday to signify the signing of an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin work on a long-awaited project to make improvements to the Port of Ogdensburg, including dredging and deepening the St. Lawrence River at Ogdensburg Harbor.
Lt. Col. Adam Czekanski, the Buffalo District commander of the Corps, said the engineers and the OBPA have a working relationship that spans a century and a half.
“Eighteen-fifty-five is when we first surveyed the harbor,” Mr. Czekanski said. “In 1868, the first time we dredged the harbor, we dredged it to 12 feet, so we’ve come a long ways since then.”
U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., announced earlier this month that the acting secretary of army civil works had approved an agreement that will provide federal funds to begin a long-awaited project to deepen Ogdensburg Harbor.
The overall cost of the project is $18.2 million, according to officials. Of that amount, $3.2 million will come from the federal government, $10 million will come from the state of New York and the balance will be financed by the OBPA.
Friday’s symbolic signing of a Project Partnership Agreement between the Army Corps of Engineers and the OBPA was attended by OBPA Executive Director Wade A. Davis, OBPA Board of Directors Chairman Samuel LaMacchia, Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne L. Ashley and officials of the Army Corps of Engineers, including Mr. Czekanski.
The project will enter the implementation and design phase this year, and a contract is expected to be awarded in the spring of 2018. The anticipated completion of the dredging is set for the end of 2018.
The port was last dredged in 1984.
Mr. Davis said the harbor improvements would not have been possible without a concerted effort by local, state and federal officials.
“When we started this project back in 2009 we were told it can’t be done, you can’t deal with the Army Corps of Engineers, they’re difficult to deal with, you’ll never get the supporters,” Mr. Davis said to laughter from the audience. “But what we found is there is overwhelming support, both from the business community, the Army Corps of Engineers that were great to work with throughout this process, at the state level, at the federal level, at the local level, all these folks lent a great hand of support to this project.”
Deepening the harbor and making other improvements at the port means the OBPA will double its capacity to take in ships, according to Mr. Davis.
“That’s jobs, that’s putting dollars in the pockets of members of this community,” Mr. Davis said .
In a press release, Sen. Schumer predicted increased economic activity for Ogdensburg and the region as a result of the harbor deepening.
“The plan will help keep the channel navigable so that it can continue to be a major hub of job creation and economic activity,” Mr. Schumer said.
Likewise, U.S. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said the port improvements will also ease congestion in the busy shipping lane.
“This important project will help reduce congestion and increase commerce in our region and I am pleased my office could help facilitate this process between the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” she said. “I am committed to working in Congress on infrastructure improvements in our region and today’s announcement allows us to move forward with an important project.”
The Port of Ogdensburg is the only U.S. port on the St. Lawrence Seaway and is the closest U.S. Seaway Port to Europe, according to OBPA officials. It is also the northernmost port in New York state.
The main commodities shipped and received include road salt and corn gluten and include other grains, fertilizers and project cargo such as windmill parts. Between 2008 and 2012, the port shipped and received an average of 105,000 tons.