BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG - Four Democrats running for Ogdensburg city council have swept the open seats, and Democrat Michael Tooley will be the city’s next mayor.

Democrats Donna Trimm, Michael Weaver, R. Storm Cilley and Jennifer Stevenson ran against Republican Robert J. Edie for four city council seats.

A total of 1.224 ballots were cast for a total of 3,711 votes.

Trimm secured 808 votes, Stevenson secured 772 votes, R. Storm Cilley received 843 votes and Michael Weaver received 743 votes. Edie, who did not win a seat received 519 votes.

All results are unofficial and do not include absentee ballots.

Michael Tooley

Tooley comes to the table with a strong background in finance having served as the chief fiscal officer for the Ogdensburg Diocese. He also served as business manager for Morristown Central School and served on the Ogdensburg City School District Board of Education for 10 years.

Tooley says he’s hoping things can be less personal if he’s elected mayor. He knows disagreements can exist but wants to see them handled with less animosity.

“When people disagree with one another there is no need to make the disagreement turn personal,” he said.

Tooley said that in recent years he’s seen council members make personal attacks on social media, use the city website as a platform to criticize county legislator candidates and create a poor atmosphere between council and staff. He says such actions are inappropriate.

Tooley, who frequents city council meetings and often provides critiques, criticisms suggestions and sometimes praise, said that he tries to be balanced in his approach.

Donna Trimm

The newcomer to city council Donna Trimm was born in Ogdensburg and graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1982. She completed her undergraduate degree in Buffalo, and her graduate degree in New York City.

She worked as a social worker and says she’s not afraid to jump into situations most people would avoid to identify problems and find solutions.

Trimm says she wants to end the in-fighting on city council. She decided to run after Councilor Nichole Kennedy announced her resignation.

Jennifer Stevenson

Jennifer Stevenson is an Ogdensburg native and former City Councilor. She says it’s time for the council to start listening to residents again.

“I believe that we all have a responsibility to give back to our community. I have a strong business background and I work well with volunteers and organizations. Every citizen has a right to be heard and listened to. City Council works in the best interest of our City. How can we know what is best if we do not listen to what is needed. I want to bring back the open discussion and debate so there is complete transparency and understanding how and why decisions are made,” she said.

Stevenson said the issues facing many problems, but biggest is the number of properties that are tax exempt.

R. Storm Cilley

R. Storm Cilley is an educator and former member of City Council. He said he decided to run again because the city needs stability.

“As a previous member of the Ogdensburg City Council I have been critical of the current council majority for their actions and policies. Including, but not limited to, cutting the primary source of revenue by 20 percent resulting in the loss of approximately one-third of the city workforce. Violations of the charter, valid contracts, and the Taylor Law. Running off a competent, qualified City Manager and hiring one with no qualifications. Then standing by him as he destroyed the city’s reputation and relationships with citizens, employees, and other government agencies,” he said.

He said approached by residents to run for office. Cilley said it’s time for the city to appoint a city manager and get out of the new leader’s way.

Michael Weaver

Weaver is taking another run at city council after losing to the incumbents in the previous election cycle.

He says he is committed to the community.

“I believe that I am a great candidate for this important role. I am married and have two adult sons and live in Ogdensburg. I took classes at Clarkson University for entrepreneurship and business 101. I have owned and operated a commercial fire, smoke and water restoration business,” he said.

Weaver said he also ran a small bait and tackle shop.

He says that experience shows he knows how to operate a business and will work to help the city’s entrepreneurs flourish.