To the Editor:

Ogdensburg’s mayor, Mike Skelly, continues to amaze. When the Library Board presented its findings and recommendations regarding a councilor’s online harassment of the library director, Skelly was heard to say he was going to remember that. At the same meeting, he and his majority councilors refused to appoint citizens to fill vacant seats on the library board.

Now, Skelly publishes statements accusing the director and board of mismanagement and saying he plans to vote against the library referendum. Councilor Fisher has made statements that he doesn’t support the referendum. This is starting to smell like revenge.

Skelly goes on to say that the library will remain open with a change in staff and board members, indicating that some changes would create income. Really? A library budget of over $300,000 can be replaced with a gift shop and coffee shop?

That would be in direct competition with Philips Diner and Val’s at the corner of Ford and State streets and with the Remington Art Museum. Do gift and coffee shops in Ogdensburg actually earn $300,000 profit each year? And contrary to what Skelly says, the top floor of the library is used every day.

The local history collection is housed there. There is a meeting room Girl Scouts use, where confidential meetings can be held, work space for staff and an auditorium where pre-school and dance class celebrations are held, and where, in non-covid years, the semi-annual book sales are held.

It appears Mr. Skelly has spoken without having all the facts. He doesn’t go to the library. He doesn’t meet with the board or staff to learn how a library works. Judge for yourself where the mismanagement is.

Karen Wright

Ogdensburg