BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg City Council held a moment of silence at the Tuesday council meeting in memory of former Mayor Wayne Ashley, who died April 7.

Ashley was a staple in the community and was known for kindness. He served four years on the City Council and four years as mayor.

Prior to that He severed as an Ogdensburg police officer for more than 28 years where he retired as Sergeant.

On April 8 Mayor Michel Tooley offered condolences to Ashley and his family and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the late mayor.

“It is with much sadness that I learned on April 7 the passing of Wayne L. Ashley, former Mayor of the City of Ogdensburg. Wayne served the City of Ogdensburg 39 years as a member of the Ogdensburg Police Department. He was sworn in as a police officer on September 25, 1971, serving 20 years as a  patrolman until he was sworn in as a sergeant in 1991. Wayne continued as a sergeant until his retirement on February 20, 2010. Wayne’s service in city government began January 1, 2011, when he was sworn in as a City Councillor after winning election the previous November. After serving one term, Wayne ran for and was elected to the Office of Mayor in the City, serving one term from 2016-2019," Tooley said in a prepared statement.

Accomplishments of city government during Ashley’s tenure as Mayor include the establishment of the Ogdensburg Land Bank, the start of a fleet management program as recommended by the state’s Financial Review Board, and partnering with St. Lawrence County IDA the rehabilitation of the Newell Building, Tooley said.

Ashley also volunteered in activities to the benefit of our citizens, one to note was his co-chair of the Heart-to-Heart program, which provided Christmas presents to children throughout St. Lawrence County.

"On behalf of the City of Ogdensburg, I extend our condolences to Mayor Ashley’s family at this time of loss. May he rest in peace. Ashley had a long history of service to the city,” the mayor said in a prepared statement.

During the Tuesday discussion City Councilor Storm Cilley asked if the city could create a memorial of some sort to honor Ashley, to which his fellow councilors seemed to agree with.

Mayor Tooley asked staff to look into options including a plaque of some sort, though details were not fully explored at the meeting.