Assemblywoman Russell tours Port of Ogdensburg

Wade A. Davis, executive director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, (right), discusses operations at the Port of Ogdensburg with Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, (left), and New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. The lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul discussed energy, global trade and infrastructure during a tour of the port that also included State Senator Patty Ritchie, county goverment leaders and city officials.

Assemblywoman Russell's support leads to groundbreaking ceremony for Abbe Picquet Interpretive Trall

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, praised the work of the Fort de la Presentation Association for their efforts to take a once heavily polluted property near the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and restore it the important piece of real estate that played a critical role in military battles in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Assemblywoman Russell, speaking to a crowd that consisted largely of re-enactors dressed in clothing of the Native Americans and British troops that occupied the settlement in the 18th and early 19th century, was in Ogdensburg Sunday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abbe Picquet Interpretive Trail.

Barbara O'Keefe, president of the Fort de la Presentation Association, said Assemblywoman Russell had helped secure funding to move the project forward.

She said Assemblywoman Russell's assistance helped secure a Department of State project priority grant that will be used for the construction of a plaza at the site of the Abbe Picquet monument. The plaza will feature an 1812 Peace Garden, benches and heritage plantings from the original Van Rensselear mansion.

Assemblywoman Russell also secured an additional $10,000 in funding through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, that will be used for a path connecting the plaza to the trail.

The assemblywoman said the association's work benefits both locals and tourists that will be drawn to the area as the fort project moves forward as well as for events like this past weekend's Founder's Day weekend activities that attracted re-enactors from Quebec, Ontario and the Northeastern United States.

"There are so many layers to the story of Ogdensburg. It's not just a place where we have had different battles. It's the story of human nature, the story of a strategic location. It's about what happened here, but it is about so much more," Assemblywoman Russell said.

She said the association board members, volunteers and re-enactors have played an important role over the past several years giving new life to the region's rich history, preserving the role Ogdensburg played in battles between French and British troops.

Assemblywoman Russell said she learns something new about the site during each visit to the site of Fort de la Presentation and her visits with board members.

"It's a story that we don't only cherish. It's a story that can bring people here so we can share our story with them," she added.

The Fort de la Presentation's master plan is to rebuilt the fort built by the French troops in 1749 and the Oswegatchie Indian village once located on the site along with an interpretive center.

"The Abbe Picquet Trail project is so much more than just putting in a trail. It is the culmination of years of ground work, and it allows us to move forward. It gives this historic land a purpose again, and will no longer be considered vacant land," Ms. O'Keefe said.

She noted since acquiring the property much has been accomplished over the past decade, including the removal of 10,000 tons of contaminated soil through an agreement with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation and Exxon.

The association worked with an agency to develop conceptual plans for the site, joined two parcels for construction purposes, moved the Abbe Picquet monument to the site, installed five interpretive signs and two cultural reviews.

"All of this while educating the public and Ogdensburg's and the St. Lawrence Valley's historic past," Ms. O'Keefe pointed out.

She said the trail project was made possible, in part, by a $350,000 grant from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Ms. O'Keefe said funding from the St. Lawrence River Redevelopment Agency and major corporate sponsor SeaComm Federal Credit Union helped fill the gap.

Melissane P. Schrems, an associate professor of history at St. Lawrence University, said Abbe Francois Picquet came to the region to strengthen the French colony and convert the Iroqouis to Catholicism. The fort, originally known as Fort de la Presentation, was built in 1749.

She noted six years later the Oswegatchie Onondagas dominated a population of 3,000 indigenous French allies, a population 75 percent the population of 1755 Montreal.

Dr. Schrems said French and Indian allies left the settlement and went to nearby Fort Levis, site of the last North America battle of the French and Indian War in 1760.

She noted that same year the English claimed, rebuilt and renamed the property at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers as Fort Oswegatchie.

It remained British property until 1796 when Jay's Treaty led to the fort becoming American property. The American settlers named the settlement Ogdensburg in honor of Samuel Ogden.

Dr. Schrems said the fort was reactivated during the War of 1812 and adopted an American version of it original name becoming Fort Presentation.

"It stood at the ready to protect and defend Ogdensburg's interests. This is the place where history happened. It is a birthplace, and its history a birthright. Let this trail be a pathway across space and through history," Dr. Schrems noted.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, gives her remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abbe Piquet Interpretation Trail that took place as part of the Founder's Day weekend events at the site of Fort de la Presentation in Ogdensburg. Standing behind Assemblywoman Russell are (l-r) re-enactors and Fort de la Presentation Association board members Tim Cryderman, Fred Hanss and Barbara O'Keefe.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, gives her remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abbe Piquet Interpretation Trail that took place as part of the Founder's Day weekend events at the site of Fort de la Presentation in Ogdensburg. Standing to the left of Assemblywoman Russell is Fort de la Presentation Association Vice President Tim Cryderman.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell is joined by city officials, re-enactors, members of the Fort de la Presentation Association Board of Directors and other supporters as the first shovels of dirt are moved
during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abbe Piquet Interpretive Trail at Lighthouse Bay in Ogdensburg.

Fort de la Presentation Association Board Vice President Tim Cryderman (foreground) shows Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell the site of a planned interpretive trail at the Fort de la Presentation site on Lighthouse Bay in Ogdenburg.

John Eric Nelson, a re-enactor from Connecticut and speaker at this weekend's Founder's Day weekend, discusses the importance of the Lighthouse Bay site during military battles stretching from the 1750s through the War of 1812. Pictured are (clockwise): Mr. Nelson, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Director Patrick J. Kelly, SeaComm Chief Executive Officer Scott Wilson, Fort de la Presentation Vice President Timothy Cryderman and Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell.

Re-enactors Scott Wilson and Timothy Cryderman discuss future plans for the Fort de la Presentation project with Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell. Mr. Wilson is the chief executive officer at the SeaComm credit union. Mr. Cryderman is a vice president on the Fort de la Presentation Board of Directors.

Richard Salazar, a re-enactor, announces he will be donating 20 cords of wood for the construction of  longhouse at the former site of Fort de la Presentation. He suggested other re-enactors will also likely to offer their support to help move the project forward.

Troops march to the site of the Abbé Picquet Obelisk at the site of Fort de la Presentation for the groundbreaking ceremony for an interpretive trail at the site.

Re-enactors representing British and French troops prepare for a naval battle at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers as part of the Founder's Week events in Ogdensburg.

Assemblywoman Russell makes it a three-parade Saturday with stops in Potsdam, Hammond

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell left the parade route to greet Potsdam Mayor Ron Tischler during the summer festival parade in Potsdam parade. Prior to the parade, Assemblywoman Russell and her son, Aaron, geared up for their second of three parades on a very busy Saturday in the North Country. They sandwiched the Potsdam parade between the Can-Am parade in Sackets Harbor Saturday morning and the Hammond parade Saturday night. Assemblywoman Russell had high praise for the post-parade fried dough in Hammond.

Assemblywoman Russell marches in Can-Am Parade in Sackets Harbor

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, marched in the annual Can-Am parade Saturday morning in Sackets Harbor. She posed for a photograph with members of the Shriners Clubs from Watertown and Massena and handed out candy to young parade watchers.

Assemblywoman Russell tours ACCO plant on company's 70th anniversary of Ogdensburg site

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, toured the ACCO Brands, Inc., manufacturing and distribution center in Ogdensburg Friday as the company marked the 70th anniversary of it presence in Ogdensburg.

Lisa Toole, the site leader for ACCO in Ogdensburg, told Assemblywoman Russell the distribution center at a site off Route 37 in the city of Ogdensburg had opened in 1989. The company moved its manufacturing operations from a site in the town of Oswegatchie into the distribution facility in late 2013 and in early 2014.

Company officials detailed the work currently done at the Ogdensburg facility and share their optimism for the future during the open house that brought ACCO retirees, community members and local and state officials inside the ACCO facility for tours of the 300,000 square foot building. Company officials said their business benefits from being located inside a foreign trade zone.

Assemblywoman Russell presented Ms. Toole with a citation from the New York State Assembly praising ACCO and its employees for the company's work over the past 70 years in Ogdensburg.

ACCO Brands opened its manufacturing plant in 1946 in the Ogdensburg area. The company currently has 145 employees and manufactures office and school products ranging from three-ring binders to dry erase boards at its facility in the city.

The ACCO plant in Ogdensburg manufactures Wilson Jones brand and private label polypropylene three-ring binders, data binders and classification folders along with dry erase boards.
Ogdensburg also serves as the company's distribution center for products being shipped to locations in the Northeastern United States and all of Canada.

Ms. Toole told the assemblywoman ACCO Brands has seven locations in the United States. The company is based in northern Illinois and has manufacturing and distribution facilities in Ogdensburg; Sidney, N.Y.; Ontario, Calif.; Booneville, Miss.; Alexandria, Pa.; and Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.

ACCO also has an international presence in Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The
company merged in 2012 with the consumer and office products business spun off by MeadWestvaco in 2012.

ACCO Brands manufactures a variety of office and school products in several locations across the United States. The company, with annual sales in the $2 billion range, manufactures paper clips, stapling cartridges, filing products, three-ring binders, laminating supplies and equipment, binding supplies and equipment, notebooks, paper tablets, envelopes, calendars and planners, whiteboards and bulletin boards, and a number of other products in the United States.

ACCO Brands Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers of branded office and consumer products and print finishing solutions. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Day-Timer®, Five Star®, GBC®, Hilroy®, Kensington®, Marbig, Mead®, NOBO, Quartet®, Rexel, Swingline®, Tilibra®, Wilson Jones® and many others. We design, market and sell products in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands can be found at www.accobrands.com.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Russell visits with Human Resources Manager Scott Ives (l) and Production and Manufacturing Manager Larry Montgomery (r) Friday during a tour of ACCO Brand's manufacturing and distribution center in Ogdensburg.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, (r), reads a citation from the New York State Assembly congratulation ACCO Brands, Inc., for the 70th anniversary of its presence in Ogdensburg. ACCO's Ogdensburg site leader, Lisa Toole, holds a three-ring binder manufactured at the Ogdensburg facility.

Lisa Toole, site leader in Ogdensburg for ACCO Brands, Inc., (l) shows Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell some of the products manufactured at the local facility.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell chats with United Steelworkers Local 4-503 President Jeff Piercey; his wife, Suellen; and Kitty Johnson over lunch during Friday's open house celebrating ACCO's 70th anniversary in Ogdensburg.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell visits with Julie Bresett, owner of Pinnacle Group Contracting; ACCO employee Michael Bresett and Mike Bresett during the open house celebrating the 70th anniversary of ACCO Brands, Inc.'s presence in Ogdensburg.

Charles W. Kelly, retired publisher of the Ogdensburg Journal and Advance News, greets Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell during an open house at ACCO Brands, Inc., in Ogdensburg.