BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — An attempt by Ogdensburg Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly to censure councilor John Rishe for allegedly making demeaning comments toward staff and fellow council members failed 4-1. Monday.

The motion to censure was seconded by Deputy Mayor Steve Fisher who used the opportunity to defend Rishe.

Fisher said he has found Rishe to be calm and well prepared. He said that if anyone should be censured by council, it should be the mayor for bringing the resolution forward.

Fisher further argued that the section cited in the resolution for censuring Rishe did not actually apply to council members.

The resolution points to a Jan. 9 meeting where Skelly alleges that Rishe made a statement implying Interim City Manager and Director of Planning Andrea Smith “failed to reform her duties as expected with respect to a Comprehensive Development Plan” that Rishe developed.

“Statements and conduct of this nature are not in line with “rules of basic human conduct’ as referred to in Administrative Regulations AR-23 which states ‘staff members themselves are entitled to the same courteous treatment expected by the public’,” the resolution says.

Not all those who voted against the measure defended Rishe.

Councilor Dan Skamperle noted that he didn’t like how Rishe spoke to staff at times, but added that everyone on council is likely guilty of breaching common courtesy now and again.

Councilor Nichole Kennedy said that while she doesn’t always agree with Rishe’s approach, she does not believe it’s her job as a council member to police him.

Kennedy also pointed to the mayor’s actions earlier in the meeting, in which he interrupted public speakers who were making personal attacks and accusations about him and former City Manager Stephen Jellie during public comment

For his part, the mayor defended his call for censure.

He offered praise of Smith’s work and was critical of both Fisher and Rishe for their recent comments.

He accused Fisher of encouraging the former city manager to shutdown work on the community development plan, which led to a brief argument between the two.

Fisher asked if the resolution had been reviewed by an attorney, which City Manager Andrea Smith said she believed it had not.

Kennedy asked if a formal complaint had been issued, which the mayor said one had not.

The resolution failed 4-1 with councilor Rishe abstaining and councilor Michael Powers not present.