Updated 12:55 p.m. March 19 to include statement from Ogdensburg Police Supervisors Union.

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg’s police unions have rallied to support the Ogdensburg City manager after Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly proposed announced he would seek to fire her at the next council meeting.

Skelly confirmed Wednesday that he planned to put forward a resolution to terminate Sarah Purdy, which received a mix response from councilors who were polled by North Country This Week.

The Counci is set to vote on the issue Monday.

Read more about that here.

In response city police offered the following statement.

“The Ogdensburg Police Benevolent Association would like to comment on the current news that some members of the City Council plan on terminating our City Manager Sarah Purdy at Monday’s Council meeting.

It is disheartening to hear that some members of council find it to be appropriate to discuss terminating any positions during a time that our community can not attend the meeting to voice their opinion. It is our union’s stance that we cannot lose Sarah Purdy at this time. This time period is going to be hard on everyone in the community and we need a leader like Sarah who has years of experience and professionalism dealing with emergency situations.

Our union, and I believe the other unions within the city would agree that Sarah has been an exceptional leader in the City of Ogdensburg and we would continue to need that value in our City during this national emergency.

She will make sure the first responders will get all the appropriate safety equipment that is needed to help the members of the community and she will be on top of applying for the appropriate funding to help the city during this emergency.

We are asking you to please reach out to your council and voice your opinion. We know that the City Council has hard decisions to make and we believe the Mayor’s intentions are to improve our city, however, this is the wrong time to eliminate an experienced leader such as Sarah or to try and eliminate any first responder positions. We are asking for your help to please reach out to your council members to bring light to this dangerous agenda. We need everyone we can to get through these trying times. I hope you all stay safe and stay healthy,”

The message was signed by Ogdensburg Police Benevolent Association President Jarret LeClair.

Later on Thursday, the Ogdensburg Police Supervisors Union issued a similar statement:

"The Ogdensburg Police Supervisors Union has received news that some of the city council plans to remove current city manager, Sarah Purdy, at this coming Monday’s closed door council meeting. Our membership adamantly opposes this decision for several reasons.

First, timing: as our nation is in a state of emergency we must come together as citizens and support one another and get through this trying time. We all need each-other and we need a stable leader for our city who knows how to handle these situations. This is not the time to make knee-jerk terminations based on differences of opinion. Furthermore; the same timing creates an inability for public attendance at this meeting. A time when public presence is prohibited is not the time to make major decisions that have an immeasurable impact on the citizens. This eliminates the ability for the public to be able to stand at a podium and look at each council member while voicing their opinion.

Second, merit: Sarah Purdy took over as city manager with a dwindled fund balance following years of stagnant tax rates to keep the citizens happy. She, as well as the council, made the necessary decision for our city to raise taxes to continue city services at that time. Since that time, Sarah has worked tirelessly for our city. She has made difficult decisions, cutting positions and amending services accordingly. Most recently, Ms. Purdy negotiated contracts with all city unions garnering concessions in healthcare that will save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. All that was presented by some were wage increases, but if you look at budget numbers you will see the good that she negotiated for the city.

Sarah has, and we believe always will, take the high road in the face of adversity. She is a great communicator who puts tremendous thought and effort into everything she does. She did not create the financial crisis our city faces, she has only tried to steer us through it. She will only do so, however, ethically and within state and federal boundaries. Some may not agree with this approach.

We understand our mayor and council have a difficult job, as Ms. Purdy does. We also believe each have the best intentions for our city. Ms. Purdy has the experience and knowledge of the process to reach this goal, coupled with the ideas of new and experienced council members alike.

Please contact a council member if you also disagree with this dangerous agenda. We need support and unity in our city to get through this time. We hope each of you remain healthy and safe during this difficult time."

Union president Corey Maxner signed the statement at the end.