Fighting the Good Fight
Dear Mount Vernon Friends and Family,
Get ready — your Inbox is about to be polluted with spin, hype and sensational accusations.
The goal of these dirty tricksters is to turn you off from participating in this upcoming election. Instead of trying to inspire people to engage in our civic life, they want you so disgusted by their negative attacks and lies that you simply tune out.
So don’t give in to the forces of fear, intimidation, and negativity. Turn instead to values that draw upon our better spirits to summon the courage and fortitude to stand up for what you believe in. This is what the ugly side of democracy looks like.
I believe in Mount Vernon.
The personal attacks on me as Mayor have nothing to do with the administration of City business. I will not be distracted by the fear-mongering and obstructionism that has paralyzed progress in Mount Vernon for 25 years! I was elected to lead the city through this dark valley. The Mount Vernon we are striving toward is getting closer by the day.
Make no mistake. There are critical issues that we face as a city and I, as Mayor, am committed to doing everything I can to protect the taxpayer.
For example, did you know (link 1) a politically-connected group was seeking to plunder $3 million from the city coffers? The City Council and Comptroller Maureen Walker voted no on the resolution to defend the city and the residents. I took action to stop the attempt to pick your pocket, exercising my emergency executive powers to protect your wallet.
We have also (link 2) implemented a quality control check review process where we review every single payment that the City of Mount Vernon makes to ensure that all the city’s expenditures are transparent and appropriately documented.
Our dedicated police officers are understaffed and underfunded. Positions have been slashed, including the role of Police Commissioner, leaving our officers (link 3) forced to work double time. I have advocated for the restoration of these roles because I believe in public safety and protecting the taxpayer.
The new management structure we have put in place is already producing unprecedented investments in our community, bolstering our infrastructure, attracting new businesses, shops, restaurants and residential construction. The new policy reforms we put in place are causing JOBS to return and growing our tax base. Property values are rising and quality of life is improving. Our strategy is making Mount Vernon a destination for arts, entertainment, and culture.
The road to our future contains political potholes but I believe we will create the smooth streets and continue to turn on the lights so Mount Vernon can become the beacon on top of the hill. I am ready to do combat with the forces holding us back and ,together, we will move this city forward. We will restore the glory of Memorial Field and solidify our place as that shining city, glistening with promise and with property values that are rising.
If you abandon the process, you will relegate the governance of your great city — our great city — to the most mediocre of minds.
If you allow the lies to define our present, it will destroy our future.
I urge you to become more engaged. Learn about all of the candidates and the people around them. Don’t be distracted by mudslinging. Let’s come together to embrace a vision (link 4) for our shared future.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve as your Mayor and I pledge to continue to keep up the good fight.
Respectfully,
Mayor Richard Thomas
Link 1: https://www.facebook.com/MayorRichardThomas/videos/434140693607064/
Link 3: http://cmvny.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SKM_22717060617190.pdf
Link 4: https://www.facebook.com/MayorRichardThomas/videos/408057756215358/
