With elections now less than a week away and a big dark cloud hanging above their heads, voters in the City of Ogdensburg will be deciding on their next mayor. Our Brian Dwyer introduces us to both the 12 year incumbent and his challenger and tells us why both say the city needs to move forward.

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OGDENSBURG, N.Y. -- "This has been hanging around the community two plus months since it came to light, since we were made aware of it. I think it's important we bring it to closure and move on," Ogdensburg Mayor Bill Nelson said.

Nelson says he has seen a lot in his 12 years as mayor of Ogdensburg, but nothing like this. A family living rent-free and utility-free in a city-owned home for nearly three years. The question now, who knew and didn't say anything and why not?

Nelson says an investigation tells him ultimate responsibility falls on city manager Art Sciorra. He's called for Sciorra to re-sign and nearly had the council vote on firing him Tuesday night. Sciorra denies any wrong doing, saying he knew nothing about it and won't step down.

The issue has the entire city council at odds. And as voters get set to hit the polls Tuesday to elect the next mayor, Nelson's opponent agrees with him and wants to see Sciorra gone.

"We have got to get the city back on track," Ogdensburg Mayoral Candidate Jack McGrath said. "We've got enough issues to deal with without this infighting and finger pointing. It's making Ogdensburg an embarrassing place to live."

Jack McGrath is a local businessman, sitting on the city's Chamber of Commerce Board. He's running as an Independent, but has been endorsed by the Democratic Party. He says the city has failed to capitalize on opportunities to partner with Canada and promote what he says is the city's biggest asset.

"We've got a gold mine sitting here called the St. Lawrence River that we've talked and talked and planned and planned," McGrath said. "It's time to buckle down and do something."

But Mayor Nelson says the city is so much better than it was back in 1999 when he first took office. He says rehab and clean up of old buildings, city infrastructure and even waterfront development have made drastic improvements. He also points to the city's tax rate, something he says is still at levels from the 1980s.

"My goal is to remind them where we 12 years ago," Nelson said. "What our community was like 12 years ago. What we had or didn't have 12 years ago."

Nelson says once his message is delivered to voters, there's no choice.

"I've got the proven experience and the proven leadership skills," he said. "I've got a record. I've done it."

But McGrath says the public won't see it that way.

"The opportunities are just endless," McGrath said. "We've just got to get everybody rallied and we've got to wake the city up and get everybody excited again about this beautiful place we live in."

Tuesday night, the city council decided against a plan to vote on Art Sciorra's future, deciding to wait on any type of decision until it has been advised by an outside attorney on how to proceed.