BY JIMMY LAWTON

North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Dozens of freedom of information requests made by someone using the fake name “Stevie Stockboy” have been filed by the City of Ogdensburg, but according to the Committee on Open Government a name is not required.

The issue is a continuation of an ongoing feud between Ogdensburg residents who City Manager Stephen Jellie has called disruptors.

Jellie has complained  in the past that residents have been making a large number of information requests which has put an undue burden on City Clerk Kathy Jock, who serves as the city’s record keeper.

In the past, Jellie has gone as far as releasing the names of those who have submitted Freedom of Information Requests to the city. While legal, releasing the names is frowned upon by the state Committee on Open Government because of the potential to have a chilling effect on those seeking information.

But Jellie has argued that residents are working to impede government rather than get information.

Now, a person using the name “Stevie Stockboy” has submitted dozens of requests.

The requests seek records such as the city’s contract with Attorney Scott Goldie.

Stevie Stockboy’s fake name is also a name used to commonly antagonize Jellie on social media.

Jellie does not dispute the committee’s opinion but says in this instance the city doesn’t take the requests seriously because of their mocking nature.

“The email being used is a combination of my last name and the mayor’s last name. Stevie Stockboy is being used disparagingly to mock myself and my family’s store. If we received a straight request from someone saying they wished to remain anonymous we’d fill it, but these requests are mocking what is supposed to be a serious process. Quite frankly, a good majority of the requests are for information that’s easily available on the city website,” Jellie said.

Emails obtained by North Country This Week show that the FOI requests have gone unfilled, but not formally denied in the traditional sense.

Although the requests were not formally denied by Jock, an email sent by the city manager instructs the clerk to take no action on them and to forward them to him instead.

One such email to Jock from Jellie says, “Please do not respond to any other inquiries from this email address. Please forward all future requests (email or mail) to myself and take no other action unless instructed to do so by myself.”

The person using the name Stevie Stockboy accused the city of unfair treatment in an email to Jock.

 “I can't help but feel singled out and targeted by this administration in the past several days. I have witnessed how people have their name dragged through the mud on social media, in person at council meetings, and in the press.  In fact, this administration blamed people who have made FOIL requests for interfering in the work at city hall.  Even going as far as publishing the names of the most frequent requestors, in an effort to ostracize them, and deter them from participating in their local government,” the email says.

“First, I have attempted to legally obtain information through the process outlined within the Freedom of Information Act.  I sent you the requests via email, and requested a response via email.  I choose not to use my real name for the reasons outlined above. In New York State, these requests do not require using your real name or address.  Your Administrative Regulations, which you reference in your email, do not require them either.”

Another email from Jellie urges the submitter to seek legal recourse on the matter.

“The City of Ogdensburg will issue no further responses to this email address and alias name. You are encouraged to take whatever legal action you deem necessary to exercise your right and privileges under the Freedom of Information Laws of the State of New York.”

A caller at the most recent City Council meeting also attempted twice to speak via phone during public comment using the name Stevie Stockboy, but was denied by Mayor Michael Skelly.

The person using the name Stevie Stockboy pointed out that there is no requirement for any name to be given when speaking at a public meeting.

While that is true, laws also allow the chair, in this case the mayor, to bar people from speaking who may be disruptive.

Jellie said the “sad” part about the situation is that while the requests are intended to burden himself and the mayor, they actually put a burden on city staff.

“It is an out-of-left-field workload requirement on a staff of just two people,” he said. “The amount of requests we are receiving is generating enough to fill a 20-hour a week job,” he said. “This really just impacts the hardworking people at city hall that have a lot of work to do.”

Jellie said the city will continue to answer freedom of information requests that are made sincerely and not with the sole attempt of disrupting city functions. He said he’s concerned about the mocking behavior.

“I’m concerned that these people’s angst about being ineffective at hurting and disrupting city government is going to escalate. What’s next – are they going to target our IT systems? Because that’s the kind of behavior that happens when people like this don’t get what they want.”