Democratic state Senate candidate Amy M. Tresidder recognizes potential when she sees it. She said Wednesday she sees plenty of it in Ogdensburg.

“When we look at a place like Ogdensburg, we need to look at it as part of a bigger picture,” she said. “I just came from the port. When you talk to somebody like [Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Executive Director] Wade Davis, you understand how much knowledge there is here and what can be shared among the various assets in the area, like the colleges, agricultural leaders, power producers, government leaders and public schools. We need to bring these minds together and find out where the problems lie and what the solutions are.”

Mrs. Tresidder was in Ogdensburg Wednesday to learn about the port of Ogdensburg’s operations. Her brother, Frederick S. Morrill, is OBPA’s chief financial officer and deputy executive director.

She said meeting with Mr. Davis gave her insight into the OBPA’s economic development efforts, but the port is just one component of an overall effort that can fix the city’s economy.

“I wish I had a magic wand I could pull out of my pocket and say if you elect me I can fix it all in the next two years,” she said. “I can’t do that, but I can be a facilitator. The state representative has to be a very loud and clear voice for the needs and desires of the people of this area.”

Mrs. Tresidder, Oswego, is running against state Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, for Mrs. Ritchie’s 48th Senate District seat. She currently serves as an Oswego County legislator.

She said Wednesday she does not pretend to have all the answers, but if elected, she will work to reform state mandates that drive up taxes and regulations that discourage development.

“One business owner told me the unemployment tax is very burdensome to her,” she said. “Those kinds of things need to be looked at so we can figure out why it’s so expensive to do business here.”

She said state pension reform and Medicaid relief for counties have to be a priority. Counties have been calling for the state to remove requirements that counties pay a share of Medicaid costs, but Mrs. Tresidder said that will only half solve the problem.

“The state has to take a good look at why Medicaid is so much more expensive here than it is in any other state,” she said. “That isn’t often talked about.”

In addition to bringing down the cost of doing business to help attract industry, Mrs. Tresidder said the state has a role to play in preserving air service for small airports like Ogdensburg’s.

Federal funding cuts for security at the airport could jeopardize air service there, and a lack of air service would put the city’s economic development efforts at risk.

“I think it’s important that your state representatives are willing to work with your congressmen and senators, and have a good relationship with them, so you can get in touch with them to try to solve problems like this,” she said. “We really have to talk to the federal government to try to figure this out.”

Mrs. Tresidder is a Hermon native and daughter of former county legislator Stanley A. Morrill. She said she wants voters to know that she understands the north country, its people and problems.

“I know there are problems, and I think you have to be a realist, but you have to combine your realism with optimism,” she said. “You have to believe that the north country has so much potential. We have to believe that the great minds we have here and the great assets we have here can produce success.”

She said she is not running for Senate because she looking to start a career in politics.

“I’ve done just about everything I wanted to do in my life. I’ve been a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, and I’ve bee fortunate to make the choices I’ve been able to make,” she said. “I think it’s important to give back. I don’t have any agenda other than that.”

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