Be Outraged on Funding Priorities
Dear Mount Vernon Friends and Family,
I was encouraged to see the vocal participation and outpouring of opinions during last week’s Community Development Block Grant public hearings. This grant round was extremely competitive with numerous dedicated non-profits and organizations applying for this limited funding.
Two things I heard loud and clear was the shared desire from the community to fund our young people including the Mount Vernon Razorbacks and the Mayor’s Scholarship. As a Razorback myself, I know firsthand how vital this organization is to our identity as a community, our bond among one another, and our pride as the birthplace of champions. Therefore, I have directed that the Razorbacks receive a CDBG funding allocation for this cycle. In addition, I have directed an increase in the proposed funding for the Mayor’s Scholarship. Memorial Field is moving forward with the installation of a semi-permanent track so our Razorbacks will have their field once again.
My thanks again to all the applicants and to those that took the time to voice their opinion and I encourage you to continue to raise your voice on behalf of our great city. The City Council has the ability to fund programs that did not receive CDBG funds and to invest in infrastructure improvements that will make city facilities and programming fully ADA-compliant. Please continue to advocate, inform, and remain engaged with elected officials to keep our city moving forward.
And it is now time for the City Council and Comptroller Maureen Walker to hear your voice as well. We should all be outraged that the City Council and Comptroller Walker eliminated funding for the police commissioner. This makes it incredibly difficult for us to attract the leadership that our families deserve if we cannot offer them a salary. No other government would do this to their constituents so why should we tolerate it here? In 2015, there were 212 police officers. When I took office in 2016, they cut twenty positions from the department. In 2017, the City Council and Comptroller Walker slashed funding for the police commissioner and additional officers in the department. This is especially troubling since Comptroller Walker claims that Mount Vernon is financially solvent with $19 million sitting unused in a city account. We have been overtaxed, underserved and treated as a second-class community. It’s time for you to ask Councilmembers and Comptroller Walker why your lives don’t matter. Call Comptroller Walker at 914–665–2442 and City Councilmembers at 914–665–2351.
#AllLivesMatter
#BeOutraged
#MVMovingForward
How long must we continue without the basic resources we need for our public safety? If we do not invest in our community, we risk placing our growth, development, and security on the whims of the Trump Administration or the random kindness of strangers to fund our future.
The public comment period for CDBG funding remains open from now until August 7, 2017. All stakeholders are encouraged to express their views on the proposed draft budget by emailing Dom McCoy at: DMcCoy@cmvny.com. Non-English speaking individuals and those who require the information in an alternative format may contact the Planning Department at 914–699–7230 to request assistance. All comments received by 12:00 NOON on August 7, 2017 will be considered and will be incorporated into the official public record.
Respectfully,
Mayor Richard Thomas
