Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell toured the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St. in Ogdensburg on Wednesday prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Department of Labor's Ogdensburg office had been located at 1020 Park St. in space leased from St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES for several years, but BOCES officials informed the state they were not going to renew the lease because they needed it for their own needs.
There had been some concern that the Department of Labor might choose to centralize its St. Lawrence County operations at its Canton and Massena locations.
But the Department of Labor announced late this summer it would be relocated to the mall on Paterson Street on property previously leased to Farrand's Flowers.
Assemblywoman Russell reiterated her gratitude to Department of Labor officials for their work in finding a new location in Ogdensburg.
"It's a victory for North Country workers and job seekers. As big as St. Lawrence County is, it's important to make sure there is access to these types of services for all residents of the region. It would have been a tremendous hardship for residents of this region if the Ogdensburg site had closed," she said.
"We shared our concerns about the importance of keeping office space in Ogdensburg early on, and the responsiveness of the Department of Labor's North Country staff, in particular June O'Neill, to ensure that was the case was magnificent," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
“They listened to our concerns and kept our office up to date as they moved through the site selection process. We have a great outcome for those people in the Ogdensburg area that need to be able to access important job search resources without having to travel an additional 30 to 60 miles,” she noted.
Assemblywoman Russell said she was also pleased New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon travelled to Ogdensburg Wednesday to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new office site.
"I appreciate the commissioner coming up here and her commitment to make sure the department is properly serving the North Country. It was great to hear her pledge that the Department of Labor will continue its presence in Ogdensburg for years to come," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The Department of Labor's Ogdensburg office had been located at 1020 Park St. in space leased from St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES for several years, but BOCES officials informed the state they were not going to renew the lease because they needed it for their own needs.
There had been some concern that the Department of Labor might choose to centralize its St. Lawrence County operations at its Canton and Massena locations.
But the Department of Labor announced late this summer it would be relocated to the mall on Paterson Street on property previously leased to Farrand's Flowers.
Assemblywoman Russell reiterated her gratitude to Department of Labor officials for their work in finding a new location in Ogdensburg.
"It's a victory for North Country workers and job seekers. As big as St. Lawrence County is, it's important to make sure there is access to these types of services for all residents of the region. It would have been a tremendous hardship for residents of this region if the Ogdensburg site had closed," she said.
"We shared our concerns about the importance of keeping office space in Ogdensburg early on, and the responsiveness of the Department of Labor's North Country staff, in particular June O'Neill, to ensure that was the case was magnificent," according to Assemblywoman Russell.
“They listened to our concerns and kept our office up to date as they moved through the site selection process. We have a great outcome for those people in the Ogdensburg area that need to be able to access important job search resources without having to travel an additional 30 to 60 miles,” she noted.
Assemblywoman Russell said she was also pleased New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon travelled to Ogdensburg Wednesday to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new office site.
"I appreciate the commissioner coming up here and her commitment to make sure the department is properly serving the North Country. It was great to hear her pledge that the Department of Labor will continue its presence in Ogdensburg for years to come," Assemblywoman Russell said.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (r) thanks New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon for living up to her department's pledge to maintain its presence in the city of Ogdensburg. Commissioner Reardon was in Ogdensburg on Wednesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with Ed Snow Jr., Region 7 coordinator for the Public Employees Federation, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St. in Ogdensburg.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (far right) chats with St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Youth Coordinator Christine Phippen (l) and Department of Labor senior employment clerk Patty Conger during an informal open house prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St. in Ogdensburg.
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (r) thanks New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon for living up to her department's pledge to maintain its presence in the city of Ogdensburg. Commissioner Reardon was in Ogdensburg on Wednesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell visits with Ed Snow Jr., Region 7 coordinator for the Public Employees Federation, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St. in Ogdensburg.
Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell (far right) chats with St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Youth Coordinator Christine Phippen (l) and Department of Labor senior employment clerk Patty Conger during an informal open house prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Department of Labor's new office space at 1031 Paterson St. in Ogdensburg.
