Updated at 12:54 p.m. Monday to reflect comments from the IRS.

By THOMAS LUCKIE III

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg City School District Board of Education member Lawrence Mitchell cited concerns over the late delivery of New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program rebate checks to city residents at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

“People in Ogdensburg started receiving STAR rebate checks today, most of the people downstate got theirs back in October,” Board of Education member Larry Mitchell said.

However, a representative from the Internal Revenue Service said he believes Mr. Mitchell is mistaken. He says STAR rebates were mailed out earlier in the year. He said mitchell is actually referring to property tax relief checks, which he says have been issued on schedule.

Mitchell stated that he contacted the offices of State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, regarding the late reimbursements just before the holiday season.

“They were both quite upset that this money seems to get held back from people north of New York City and we should have had this money a long time ago,” Mitchell said.

“I voiced my concern to them and if anybody else wants to do the same thing, they are trying to make sure we get those a lot earlier,” he added.