BY JIMMY LAWTON

North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Nearly 50 people displaced in the recent fire at Riverview Towers will be able to stay at Wadhams Hall through the end of the month if needed

The fire was largely contained to two rooms in the towers but water and smoke damage forced out people from 85 of the units in the high rise until repairs can be made.

City and county officials have been working with the housing authority to find semi-permanent housing for people who are still without a place to stay, but the process has been taking longer than expected.

St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Coordinator Matt Denner said there are 49 residents currently in the shelter but that housing has been secured for about 24 of them who should be in new temporary homes by the end of the week.

Originally Wadhams was only going to be available until Thursday, but now Denner says they have a bit more time.

Denner was grateful for all the community support that has been essential over the past week.

Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly said he visited the temporary shelter this weekend and it did not appear people would be able to be relocated by the March 17 time frame.

Skelly said he spoke with members of the Diocese to request an extension.

A quilting event was set to be held at Wadhams this weekend, but after some negotiation the event has been rescheduled.

Skelly said he plans to have the city cover any additional expenses incurred by the Diocese due to the cancellation as well as cover the costs associated with housing and feeding the displaced residents of Riverview Towers.

Volunteers, businesses and organizations have been chipping in to help where they can with food, clothing and furniture donations.

Skelly said he’s relieved that the Diocese was willing to allow the housing authority more time to find homes for the people. If they hadn’t struck an agreement, the displaced would have been forced back into the Ogdensburg Free Academy gymnasium where they would have to sleep on cots until housing was found.

“I’m just really glad these people won’t have to be moved again,” Skelly said. “They’ve been through enough. People are working hard just to get them their essentials like eyeglasses and medications.”

Skelly offered praise to all those in the community who have helped the city deal with the crisis.

“There has just been a great response from everyone. The county has done a great job and there have been so many people, organizations and businesses helping out,” he said.

Bishop Terry LaValley said the Diocese was happy to help.

“We hope and expect to be able to accommodate those displaced residents in need at Wadhams through at least the end of the month. We continue to work with the involved governmental and service assist the residents to the best of our ability. We’re very grateful to our Wadhams Hall Facility Manager, Bill Seymour, and his staff for their dedication to this effort and for their willingness to answer Christ’s call to care for and love others.”

Denner said he’s hopeful homes will be secured prior to the end of March, but he’s grateful for the extra time.

He said the Housing Authority will be moving residents into Belmont Courts and Centennial Towers this week and will likely be looking to Canton and Potsdam for residences this weekend and into the next week.

“Right now we are in a rehousing phase. We are trying to find semi-permanent housing, because there is a 3-4 month window before residents can move back into Riverside Towers,” said Cheryl Douglass, Executive Director of Ogdensburg Housing Authority.

“Canton, Potsdam and Massena Housing Authorities have all reached out to us to help. Everyone wants to stay in town, but Ogdensburg Housing is full,” she said.

“We have a very generous community. There have been so many gift cards collected to give out – gas cards, and cards to businesses like Kinney Drugs Walmart, Price Chopper and Family Dollar,” said Douglass.

“The Office for the Aging is accepting gift cards or monetary donations. They are also helping to pay copays on health insurance or other necessities like specialty medical equipment,” she said.

One of the major issues facing residents was a lack of furniture to outfit the temporary living apartments.

However, United Helpers and St. Joseph’s Nursing Home have stepped up to allow the housing authority to borrow beds, dressers and nightstands to outfit the facilities.

Stacey Cannizzo, a spokesperson for United Helpers, said the organization was glad to assist.

She said they’ve been collaborating with the county since the incident.

“Whenever people in the community are affected by something like this United Helpers has and will come to the table,” she said. “The community has really circled the wagons to help out,” she said.

The American Red Cross and Maximizing Independent Living Center are also providing individuals with disaster assistance.

“The community and county services have been amazing in their collaboration,” said Josh Moskowitz, of the American Red Cross.