Hidy Waits For Clark Ouster

MASSENA - Mayor James F. Hidy has requested the resignation of economic development specialist Jason A. Clark.

In the last month and a half, the Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena's Board of Directors has not followed through with the request.

In a letter dated Dec. 19 to board president Daniel S. Pease, Mr. Hidy asked for the executive director's "immediate resignation" and for the BDC "to begin its search for Mr. Clark's replacement as soon as possible."

The letter is the latest example of the ongoing rift between the two Massena officials. Mr. Hidy has long maintained Mr. Clark should not be a chief proponent of the Interstate 98 project and should instead devote all his time to finding new Massena companies.

While Mr. Hidy can demand Mr. Clark's resignation, it is ultimately up to the BDC Board of Directors to decide whether to hire or fire an employee.

"In the past several (months), it's become more and more evident to me the lack of commitment Mr. Clark has displayed in his role of director of the BDC for Massena," he noted in his letter.

"His inability to remove himself from focusing on self-interests with regards to I-98 has been met with public criticisms from numerous taxpaying citizens of Massena. I'm quite positive you members of the BDC board as well as the members of the village and town boards of Massena have also heard the outcry, enough is enough."

Mr. Hidy said he thought many BDC board members felt the same way.

"In my opinion, the current board except for perhaps one or possibly two members has come to realize the importance of seeking an individual able to adapt to the direction of the board with a fresh new start," he wrote.

"We owe a change to the young and old of this community seeking a better and more positive way of life. I look forward to the support of all board members to this request."

Six weeks have since passed since Mr. Hidy submitted the letter.

"I wanted to give the board an opportunity to act on it," he said.

The board convened into an executive session at the end of the BDC's Dec. 21 meeting for the "performance of a particular person." In the session, the board discussed the letter, Mr. Pease said.

"We had a conversation with Jason. We clarified our expectations. That's it," Mr. Pease said. "We had a full and frank dialogue, and I think he understands fully what we want of him.

"The board supports Jason in his efforts and we're move forward trying to do our best to try to develop the economy of Massena," he added.

He declined to comment further on the letter's contents.

Mr. Clark said the letter will not be altering his future plans with the BDC and he does not intend to resign because of it. He also declined further comment.

Board member Larry Ralston said the BDC is working on defining a clear set of expectations for the executive director, which didn't exist before.

"We wanted to formalize it and get it in our policy," he said. "That wasn't just because of Jason. It was because of the position itself."

He deferred comment on the resignation letter to Mr. Pease.

Clarifying expectations is not enough for Mr. Hidy.

"Obviously he's still working, right?" Mr. Hidy asked. "I honestly don't think they're taking it seriously.

"I felt there might have been some interest there. It appears that there isn't," he said of the board. "I was hoping it would certainly increase the interest of others to do the same."

Mr. Hidy also took offense to Mr. Clark calling him and Supervisor Joseph D. Gray at a recent meeting "Jim and Joe." At a December meeting, Mr. Clark made reference to the mayor and town supervisor calling the BDC a criminal organization.

"I would also bring to light Mr. Clark's utter disrespect toward the offices Supervisor Gray and I hold. We are elected officials and regardless of anyone's feelings one may have of either of us, we are representatives of the PEOPLE who have elected us and (are) stewards of the money," he said in his letter.

"The only thing I view as criminal is his inability to perform and his lack of respect for the BDC board and the people who pay his salary, the people of Massena."

Last week, the BDC submitted per Mr. Hidy's request a budget forecast for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The letter references the mayor as "Jim Hidy." Mr. Hidy had village clerk Patricia M. Dumas send the correspondence back to the BDC and demanded he be addressed as "Mayor Hidy" in a revised version.

Board members had approved the budget document before sending it to Mr. Hidy last week. Other village agencies address him as "Mayor Hidy," he said.

"They don't send it like that," he said. "They show the respect for the title and position."