99 NEWS FOR 6/11/11

ST.LAWRENCE COUNTY IS NOT ON OBAMA'S LIST FOR FLOOD RELIEF--The President declared a Federal disaster area Friday for 21 counties across New York in response to widespread flooding. Adjacent Lewis and Franklin Counties are on the list, but St.Lawrence is not. There is hope for the county to be listed at a later time, depending on damage assessments. The designation is necessary for the county to be eligible for aid money to repair infrastructure and other property damaged by the the flood-swollen Racquette River this Spring.

MASSENA MAYOR SAYS HE FEELS PURSUING COMPANIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS HIS JOB--James Hidy told 99 News Wednesday he continues to talk with retailers, other mainstream businesses and nuclear power companies trying to draw them to the community. Jason Clark, the economic developer for the Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena, blasted Hidy this spring in a press release for doing what Clark perceives is going behind his back, and refusing to share information with him. Hidy says Clark's pursuit of the Interstate-98 project is highly admirable, but it deflects from a Massena focus. Hidy says "....maybe Jason should work for the county, if he wants to continue pursuing I-98, instead of doing it on our nickel..." Massena Trustees approved a 30-thousand-dollar funding item for the BDC earlier this year, despite Hidy's objections.

Kathleen Deugaw--35--Colton. Services 10am Tuesday at St.Patrick's Church in Colton. Calling hours Monday 4-7pm at Buck Funeral Home, Colton.