Ogdensburg City Councilor Michael Powers

BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- The Ogdensburg Vacancy Committee is seeking candidates interested in filling a vacancy that will soon exist on city council.

At the most recent council meeting Councilor Michael Powers announced he would be retiring from council in order to maximize retirement benefits as he is also ending his lengthy career at the department of corrections.

Powers had also served as New York State Corrections Officers and Police Benevolent Association President from 2014 to 2023. 

Powers said he was acting on advice from the state comptroller's office. 

Such retirements are not uncommon among public officials holding office, in most cases they are simply reappointed, sometimes even at the same meeting.

Although Powers is hoping to be reappointed to the positions, the city's charter establishes a process for filling vacancies and so Powers will need to go through that process in order to recover his seat.

Powers could also face challengers should the vacancy committee receive interest from other potential candidates.

The Vacancy Committee met on Thursday, Jan. 25, to establish the submission procedure for those individuals interested in being considered to fill the current vacancy on Ogdensburg City Council.

Interested candidates must submit a resume outlining their experience as well as a cover letter explaining why they would like to serve as a member of Ogdensburg City Council to City Clerk Cathy Jock by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

The required documents can be submitted in-person at the City Clerk’s Office, 330 Ford Street, Room #4, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, by mail, by fax to 315-393-1136 or by email to cjock@ogdensburg.org.  Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.)  Documents can also be submitted outside of regular office hours by placing a sealed envelope marked “City Clerk Cathy Jock” in the drop box at City Hall (located just left of the handicap entrance on Caroline Street and marked “Envelope Depository”).

Emailed submissions will receive a delivery confirmation response.  

If delivery confirmation is not received within 24 hours following submission, candidates should contact City Clerk Cathy Jock at 315-393-3540 to verify email delivery.

All questions should be directed to committee members Laura Ashley (315-323-2768), Mark Knowlton (315-322-1714) or Doug Loffler (315-528-2351).