To the Editor:

For those of you who may not know me as well or for as long as others I would like to give you a little bit of my personal background. I live on Ford Street in Ogdensburg with my husband Richard, a 20-year Navy veteran, my 84-year old father, Eddie Breen, my 90-year old mother, Mary Margaret Sargent Breen, as well as my dog Luna and my four cats, Simon, Raven, Ozzy and Misty.

I am a 4th generation Ogdensburg native on my mother’s side and a 5th generation Ogdensburg native on my father’s side of my family and in fact I still live in the very same house on Ford Street in which I was born. I am a graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy.

I then went on to graduate from St. Lawrence University where I double-majored in English literature and government & political science. After graduating cum laude from St. Lawrence University with my bachelor of arts degree, I graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law where I earned my juris doctorate degree.

I started my career with the prominent Ogdensburg law firm of DuPre’ and Small, PC. During my 10-plus years with DuPre’ and Small I gained invaluable experience not only in the practice of law but in how to deal with and treat people of all ages and from all walks of life with respect and dignity.

My practice at that firm included civil defense litigation and motion practice for large corporations that were clients of the firm, residential and commercial real estate transactions and mortgage closings, an extensive family court practice, corporate and business transactions and summary proceedings and collection law.

On Nov. 30, 1998, I opened my own law firm at 206 Ford St. in Ogdensburg. I never could have imagined in a million years how much my office would grow into such a busy successful practice and for that I am eternally grateful to the residents of this city and surrounding areas. In December of 1999 I purchased my current law office at 623 Ford St. Over the past 20 years in my own solo practice I have developed an incredibly extensive real estate and estate practice and have been involved in countless family court trials.

I have also participated in matrimonial trials and handled other various matters in St. Lawrence County supreme court, estate proceedings and adoption trials in St. Lawrence County surrogate court, guardianship proceedings in St. Lawrence County court and Jefferson County supreme court, as well as countless collection matters, summary proceedings, vehicle and traffic and criminal matters in Ogdensburg City Court and numerous justice courts throughout the county. I have successfully argued an appeal before the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in Albany. I am also admitted to the Federal Bar.

I am in my 30th year in the practice of law. I am a certified mediator, the training for which has been invaluable in teaching me to openly and fairly look at both sides of every situation and every case and help find solutions. People from all walks of life will be treated fairly and with respect. The broad and extensive nature of my practice over these past 3 decades has given me insight and experience in so many different areas of law and really of life in general.

As a certified court evaluator for over 25 years, I deal one on one with the elderly who are no longer able to care for themselves. As a certified attorney for children I deal one on one with abused, neglected and troubled children ranging in age from newborn babies to teenagers. That kind of human experience is invaluable and cannot be gained from a book or from classes; it can only be gained from these kinds of life interactions.

It is no secret that Ogdensburg is replete with problems these days. As a lifelong resident it pains me greatly to see this beautiful city being ravaged by drugs and crime and lost youth. Even in the current predicament this city is in at this point and time, I still believe in Ogdensburg.

I want to see this city turn around and once again see it be a safe, friendly place in which to raise a family, work and run a business. I want to make a difference in this community and to that end I served on the City of Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce Board. As a team we worked diligently to organize events not only to draw tourists to Ogdensburg but also to give the residents of our city fun and family-friendly events to attend.

I also served on the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Board for 6 years during which time we worked tirelessly to construct the access road and revitalize the port, revitalize the industrial park to retain and create jobs and transform the Ogdensburg International Airport into what it is today. I believe in Ogdensburg and I want to be part of addressing these issues – be part of the solution.

I am ready, willing and totally able to devout the next full ten (10) years of my life to being your Ogdensburg City Court Judge. I will not be required to retire due to my age after just a few short years in office. I reside and always have resided in the City of Ogdensburg only 5 blocks from the Ogdensburg Police Department and only 8 blocks from Ogdensburg City Court. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to sign warrants, answer law enforcements questions, do arraignments and be the type of judge that everyone can count on in any situation. I am used to working long hours and weekends; that is just the type of work ethic with which I was raised.

If I am elected as your next Ogdensburg City Court judge I intend to handle each and every case with fairness and individual care and consideration, particularly in sentencing and disposition. I promise to work with the St. Lawrence County Probation Department, the Judicial Diversion Program, the Ogdensburg City Police Department and all other law enforcement agencies to address the underlying drug and domestic violence and other problems plaguing so many defendants that come before the Court.

There is a time for compassion and understanding, but there is also a time that requires harsher sentencing in certain cases to hold individuals accountable for their crimes and actions and protect the citizens of our community. Please allow me, as a lifelong resident of Ogdensburg who understands this community, to utilize my 30 years of vast experience practicing law and dealing with people from all walks of life. Help me become your next Ogdensburg City Court judge and make a difference.

I cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your support and encouragement. It truly means the world to me. Please get out there and show your support by voting in the primary on Sept. 13 and in the election Nov. 6.

Ramona A. Breen

Candidate for Ogdensburg City Court Judge