From the desk of City Manager Sarah Purdy...
COVID-19 UPDATE
April 13, 2020
New York State Empire State Development’s (ESD) designation last Friday of recreational boating as non-essential has caused a stir in the North Country, and elsewhere around the state. The Ogdensburg community is not alone in questioning why this designation, which led to the closing of our boat launches, was made especially since the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had statements on its website encouraging fishing and recreational boating.
As it turns out, both the ESD and the DEC have received a lot of questions about this. So many, in fact, that they are seeking clarification from Albany on whether the ESD guidance means the boat launches should be closed or whether this is an honor system where the launches are open but boating is “non-essential.”
What is known is that feedback is essential to the governmental process of getting things right. If something isn’t clear, or doesn’t make sense to our citizens, questions should be asked. While all of us wait to see what clarification may come from Albany, unless something definitive is issued by tomorrow, the City will remove the barricades from the boat launches tomorrow. It did not seem appropriate to remove the barricades today because of the weather advisory for gale-force winds in the St. Lawrence Valley.
In regard to this weather advisory, our emergency responders and the County’s emergency management services personnel are prepared for this new adversity. Please stay safe and it is advisable to stay home during this storm. Make sure your flashlights are handy. The peak high-wind timespan in the North Country is now predicted to be from 2 p.m. today to 2 a.m. tomorrow.
Be hopeful, stay safe, stay healthy and stay together yet six feet apart. “Take 5 for New York” by calling someone and chatting for five minutes. And please see below several links to COVID-19 information that you may find useful.
Department of Labor Cares Act Information
US Small Business Administration
St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
Governor Cuomo’s Website
New York State Department of Health
Protect Yourself & Stop the Spread of Germs
What You Need to Know
Please revisit this page for important updates from the City of Ogdensburg.