Prison Rally Friday To Send Message

The Ogdensburg Correctional Facility Task Force is hoping the community will show up Friday at the steps of city hall to send a message to Albany that the North Country is united behind its prison.

The rally begins at 4 p.m.

Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson is hoping employers will allow their employees to attend the rally.

They are also looking for members of the community to join a rally on the steps of the state capitol building on March 23.

The bus trip to Albany will allow members of the community to rally on the steps of the state capitol building and talk to members of the Senate and Assembly to urge them to rewrite the governor's budget to keep the Ogdensburg prison open.

"This is an opportunity to voice our opposition to Gov. Paterson's proposal to close this facility. This isn't just about the 287 families affected by the closure. There are literally hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of families that will be affected by this proposal," Ogdensburg Mayor William D. Nelson.

Task force members' hopes to fill at least three tourist buses through S&W Tours & Charters, Brier Hill, for $1,800 each, for the rally on the capitol steps appear to be easily attainable.

Mr. Nelson said that there were almost 100 signatures of people interested in attending the rally signed up at the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce office in city hall. Each bus holds 56 people.

Those interested are asked to sign-up with Sandra Porter, chamber executive director, by calling 393-3620 or by e-mail at chamber@gisco.net.

"We want to have more than two busloads," said Mr. Nelson, "We will book as many buses as it takes to take people to Albany."

Donations have been coming in to help pay for the buses. St. Lawrence County Legislator David Forsythe has pledged $1,000 from his two businesses and Watertown developer P.J. Simao has pledged to pay for the costs of an entire bus.

Fundraisers are also being held.

Proceeds from "Save OCF" T-shirts supplied by the OCF Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) will go towards the cost of the buses. T-shirts can be purchased for $10 at Peebles, Hacketts and at city hall.

On March 11, the EBF will be having a spaghetti dinner from 4-7 p.m. at the Odd Fellows hall. Cost is $7 per meal and all proceeds will be going to offset the costs of the buses. Meals will be delivered in Ogdensburg.

The OCF Task Force has also set up an account at the ARC, State Street, Ogdensburg, for anyone wishing to donate cans or bottles to the cause as well as an account at Community Bank, NA., for those wishing to make monetary donations. Both accounts are under "Save OCF."

Any donations to the bank account will be tax-deductible.

If you like to party, then Myers Pub will be the destination for you on March 19.

Harold C. Myers, owner of Myers Pub, will be holding a fundraiser from 4 p.m. until finished. Donations of any amount will be sought at the door and the OCF Task Force will receive 25 percent of the gross earnings at the bar to help pay for the buses.

There will be 50/50 drawings and entertainment provided by a DJ.

"We need the community to get excited about this and come out and support the prison," said Mr. Nelson, "If OCF closes, it would just be devastating. Ogdensburg would not be same."

We can prevent this from happening."