To the Editor:

This letter is to address the many citizens who have called upon all of the sitting councilors of Ogdensburg related to the libelous, rude, inciting, blatantly insolent and insubordinate comments made to upstanding citizens, local and county elected officials from City Manager Stephen Jellie while utilizing social media. A quick review of AR-87 within the City Charter and Administrative Regulations should open the eyes for all taxpayers. We all have some some questions.

1. There is a lawsuit filed against Mayor Skelly for allegedly violating 1st Amendments rights to citizens of Ogdensburg using Social Media. Does the same apply for the City Manager of said Community? He is on the record in social media as an employee of the city - currently as City Manager using rude and offensive language in multiple threads and times towards citizens of this great city. We feel he may be violating their first amendment rights as well as provisions of the City Charter and Administrative Regulations - AR-87 - especially Sections D-1, D-2, and E.

2. Are the devices used to respond on any social media sites owned by the City of Ogdensburg or paid for by the city in any capacity? Does the city pay for any service of any personally owned device used for city business? If so, these devices should be subject to a Forensic review and in our opinion should occur.

We are quite confident that the City Manager will feel the need to respond. We are replying to the Citizens of the city that asked for our input, we will not respond to any bully pulpit or social media sites.

The city manager continually quotes that “facts are facts” if so - facts support themselves. Why the need to support said claims of fact on social media repeatedly to call out or be rude, ignorant, with slandering comments made towards upstanding citizens of this city? He often times forgets who he works for. He can respond all he wants. We will address him in the proper forum in our capacity as legislators/supervisors to this great community.

This letter is to the citizens of Ogdensburg that have called upon us to respond. What do you say Councilors Rishe, Fisher, Dillabough and Skelly? Do you condone this activity from a professional representing our city?

We Do Not!

City Councilor Michael B. Powers
City Councilor Nichole Kennedy
City Councilor Daniel P. Skamperle