Council Members: Mayor Going To Far

Members of the Ogdensburg City Council are accusing Mayor William D. Nelson of overstepping his authority and obstructing the council's investigation into the 819 Knox St. controversy.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the mayor is obstructing the investigation," Councilor Daniel E. Skamperle said. "He has completely obstructed the investigations. He has gone against the council as a body by coming forward with his position, and he's doing it because of political motivations."

Mr. Skamperle's comments come after Mr. Nelson called Thursday evening for City Manager Arthur J. Sciorra to resign. Mr. Nelson spoke after he viewed documents subpoenaed as part of a review into how a family was allowed to live for three years rent-free in a city-owned property.

"I've seen the information I am basing my decision on," Mr. Nelson said. "I am not impeding the investigation; I am just making my thoughts known. I think it is important that the community gets the truth."

"It is impossible to have a fair process at this point," Councilor Nicholas J. Vaugh said. "At this point the council has to come together and deal with the mayor and the deputy mayor's actions."

Mr. Vaugh also accused Deputy Mayor Michael D. Morley of obstructing the council's review of the matter, which is being carried out by City Attorney Andrew W. Silver.

"Mr. Morley basically initiated the first request for Art's resignation," Mr. Skamperle said. "He explained that it was for the incumbent mayor in the election. He thought Art should resign to give the mayor a better position in the election."

Mr. Nelson said the upcoming election, in which he faces a vigorous challenge from independent candidate Jack F. McGrath, did not play a role in his decision.

"I'm doing this because it is the right thing," Mr. Nelson said. "It is not about politics; it's doing the right thing."

Mr. Morley said he would welcome the city manager's resignation.

"I would support a resolution to terminate Art," Mr. Morley said. "If he doesn't want to resign, I would call for him to be fired."

Mr. Sciorra thus far has declined to resign. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Morley have the option of seeking to fire Mr. Sciorra, but such an act would take a majority vote of the council.

"If it were coming up for a vote, there is no chance I would vote for such a resolution," Mr. Vaugh said. "I have to take into consideration my four years on the council and the success and progress this city has seen under the City Manager Art Sciorra."

Councilor Douglas G. Sholette and Mr. Skamperle also said they would not support a resolution to fire Mr. Sciorra.

"I would support a resolution to terminate Art for the right reasons," Mr. Skamperle said. "I'm not going to support a resolution to terminate Art for political motivations, and so far that is all I've seen."

Councilors Michael B. Powers and R. Storm Cilley say it is premature to make a decision.

"If such a resolution does come forward, I'd have to think long and hard about it," Mr. Cilley said. "I'd have to see what types of discussions come out of it. I want to see Mr. Silver's report."

Mr. Powers said there was not enough information available to him yet to justify the calls for resignation or a vote on termination.

"I don't know the basis for both those individuals calling for the resignation," Mr. Powers said. "I am still waiting for the attorney to report his findings before I make any comment."

Until recently, Mr. Nelson advocated allowing Mr. Silver to complete his investigation into the Knox Street issue and report his findings to the council before any action was taken.

"It is pretty amazing how we can turn the tides that quickly," Mr. Sholette said. "It is incredible what people will do to get re-elected."

Mr. Nelson said he changed his mind after documents indicated to him that Mr. Sciorra knew a family was living rent-free in the property, that he failed to take action and declined to update the council on the problem.

"I reviewed the documents (Thursday)," Mr. Nelson said. "What I have been told by the city manager is not what I saw in the documents."

Mr. Vaugh said the mayor's recent actions, including violating the city charter by ordering city staff to give the council access to documents in the Knox Street investigation, could result in disciplinary action.

"I think with the mayor's mission to violate the charter and warning that he might further violate the charter, it warrants conversation about reprimand," Mr. Vaugh said. "This is serious."

Mr. Skamperle agreed.

"I think it is completely scandalous itself and it is totally unethical for Mr. Nelson and Mr. Morley to be making these moves for political motivation," Mr. Skamperle said. "It is disgusting."