Steve Fisher

Michael Powers

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BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- Former Deputy Mayor Steven Fisher is hoping to reclaim a seat on city council following a vacancy created by Michael Powers, who retired from council to maximize his retirement benefits recently.

Fisher was an outspoken member of council who decided not to run for reelection after his first term.

During his time on council Fisher supported various controversial actions including cuts to the fire and police departments.

Fisher was critical of St. Lawrence County legislators who chose to change the sales tax distribution formula at a cost of roughly $2 million annually for the city and was outspoken about the city's need to tighten its belt to become financially solvent.

He was often at odds with Councilor Powers who was critical of cuts to the fire and police departments.

Powers has long called for a rebuilding of relationships with the county in the wake following years of bad relations between the entities.

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 that has allowed Fisher to challenge him for the position.

Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley said he expects a decision to be made at the Feb. 12 Monday meeting.

He said that both names will be presented to council and a vote will be taken. If one of the candidates receives the majority of votes, that candidate will be sworn in immediately.

While that outcome sounds likely it's not guaranteed.

In July of 2023 Tooley and Robert Edie were nominated to fill a vacancy on council left by former councilor Nichole Kennedy. 

Under the process a vacancy committee recommends candidates, then the council chooses which candidate will get the appointment.

The charter required council to vote indefinitely until a candidate received a majority, but after 20 consecutive votes council remained split 3 to 3 between Robert Edie and Michael Tooley.

However, despite 20 votes taken to choose a candidate in July, no consensus was made.

At the July meeting Edie, who was present, eventually asked his name to be removed for consideration in order to allow the city to move forward.

Although Tooley was then the only remaining candidate, a resolution to appoint him to the position failed in a 3-2-1 vote.

Voting in favor of Tooley’s appointment were councilors John Rishe, Michael Powers and Dan Skamperle. Against the appointment was Bill Dillabough.

Although they didn’t explain their reasons for doing so, Skelly and Deputy Mayor Fisher abstained.

The vote failed, according to City Clerk Cathy Jock who said a quorum, or 4 affirmative votes, was needed for the resolution to pass.

However an opinion from the city attorney stated that according to the charter, a resolution was not necessary and that only a majority of votes was needed, which raised the questions as to whether Tooley should have been sworn in. He was never appointed to council despite the attorney's opinion, but was elected mayor months later.