Folks, I want to set the record straight.
There’s been a lot said about our city—some true, some twisted beyond recognition. I want you to know exactly what’s happening, how I push back against the lies, and why it matters.
A few days ago, Jeff Graham posted a story about the golf course and its manager, titled “City in the Rough.”
Say what you will about former Mayor Jeff Graham, but he does keep us updated on city affairs. In this piece, he writes:
“As expected ,Jordon Northrop is leaving the Thompson Park Golf Course this summer after two years. By most accounts he did well but finding someone to run it now ,not easy with all the talk of shutting it down.” You can read all the comments here:
And Graham’s Blog spot is here: https://mayorgraham.blogspot.com/
Jeff Graham hits the nail on the head when he says: “By most accounts, he (Jordon Northrup) did well, but finding someone to run it now isn’t easy with all the talk of shutting it down.”
Jordon Northrup did a fantastic job and will be missed.
Rumor has it that he and his wife may have considered staying and settling here—if not for a reckless comment from a councilmember who suggested “maybe the course would need to be closed for budgetary reasons.”
It’s far too early to speculate on our fiscal year or make any drastic decisions. But some people just can’t resist throwing out unnecessary opinions—and now, thanks to that, we’re facing a much harder time finding Jordon’s replacement.
This didn’t need to happen. But it’s a perfect example of how political spin on city budgets and behind-the-scenes maneuvering create problems where none should exist.
Even now, long after the deal was made, misunderstandings about the purchase of 63 acres of pristine parkland and the golf course continue to spread.
And they persist for one reason: Jeff Smith, Sarah Compo-Pierce, and their followers continue to push lies and mischaracterizations. Smith knows exactly who runs the Watertown meme page that spreads this misinformation daily—it’s not an accident; it’s a coordinated effort.
But ask yourself: Why would anyone oppose buying parkland? The golf course actually made a lot of money—I’ve seen the financial books, and I know this to be true. Yet, thanks to the endless misinformation, our city-owned golf course will now struggle to attract top talent to manage it and vendors to run our clubhouse restaurant.
Let’s be clear: The negativity around this purchase didn’t start because of facts—it started with Jeff Smith’s personal beliefs. He simply doesn’t think a city of our size should own a golf course. That’s it.
Because of his narrow-minded view on how our city should generate revenue, provide recreation, and expand parkland, he launched a vendetta—one designed to tear down, not build up. His relentless attacks and outright lies have been parroted by his most simple-minded followers, poisoning public perception.
Want proof? Just look at the way he signed the contract—a frown instead of a smiley face. That tells you everything.
The damage done by Jeff Smith’s and Sarah Compo-Pierce’s misleading rhetoric is real. Their campaign of misinformation has divided our community and continues to do so. A prime example? The anonymous comment below:
“Anonymous
Everyone has tried to make it work! The city has dedicated a lot of manpower and funding in that effort.
If you think differently please explain what more the city could do.
The pain of the excessive purchase price and the shady and what some label as a corrupt deal between the three on the council who pushed that deal through and the developers will be felt and talked about for years to come!
The length of time being taken to expose that shady deal, and that definitely needs to be exposed, is not helping anything.
February 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM”
Now, this is my response to this misinformed commenter:
12:41 PM – It’s truly pathetic that you continue to spread blatant disinformation about the purchase of 63 acres of pristine parkland and the golf course.
Nothing about this deal resembles the twisted narrative you’re peddling. The purchase was always about securing something valuable for the residents of Watertown—something your side has never cared to do.
Your words don’t just suggest ignorance; they scream it. The hatred and vitriol you spew—anonymously, no less—are cowardly and disgusting. And for what? Political power? A cheap attempt to prop up the same stale, visionless leadership that has done nothing for this city?
My mother’s family helped found this city, and I take personal offense at your lies. People like you, who seek only to tear down rather than build, are the reason we have to fight so hard to move Watertown forward.
Go back to your troll hole, where Jeff Smith and Compo-Pierce can pat you on the head for spreading their deceit and obstructionism. Meanwhile, we’ll keep pushing for real progress—despite the bad-faith attacks from those who lack the courage or vision to do the same. – Cliff Olney
This is why we must unite and move forward—away from the darkness Jeff Smith has cast over our city.
Smith deliberately mischaracterized the land purchase, distorting last year’s election results in the process. Why? Because he never understood what this land and golf course purchase truly represented. His narrow-minded view of what a city and its residents can achieve when they believe in what’s possible has held us back.
Unfortunately, Mayor Sarah Compo-Pierce has chosen to believe Smith’s false narrative and continues his vendetta. Smith was so obsessed with this purchase that he even pushed for a New York State Police investigation, convinced—without evidence—that something corrupt had taken place. He continues to portray this deal as a handout to two developers rather than what it actually was: an investment in our residents and the future of Watertown.
Smith doesn’t see things that way. He twists reality to fit his agenda, poisoning the minds of those who now repeat his lies. His ethics complaint against me? Pure retaliation for my role in securing this land for the city. The facts are simple: the developers owned the land. It was a take-it-or-leave-it offer—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I saw this for what it was: a benefit to our entire community. Smith saw it as an opportunity to sow distrust and division, pushing a false narrative to serve his own selfish political agenda.
And now, his protégé, Sarah Compo-Pierce, has latched onto this lie, using it as political leverage. Instead of leading, she exploits misinformation for her own gain.
We must rise above those who spread lies to grasp power. Watertown deserves better.
