Mayor Richard Thomas Weekly Report for September 16, 2017
Shamoya McKenzie Gala Reminds Us of the Need for Public Safety
Last night I had the honoring of delivering keynote remarks at a beautiful gala in honor of our beloved Shamoya McKenzie. The occasion was a celebration of her life but a reminder that we have much work to do to truly honor her memory.
Let us not forget that it was the City Council, led by the Council President Griffith, stripped the role of Police Commissioner from the budget and cut 21 police officer positions. These decisions showed poor leadership and a total disregard for the safety of the people of Mount Vernon.
It is my sincere hope that their decision to attend this Gala marks a sign that they are rethinking their decision to abandon public safety. How many more mothers and fathers must bury their children? How many more young people must lose their friends senselessly? Enough is enough!
We all remember when President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union and a southern Congressman disrespected him, calling him “liar” when he called out the hard truths. Calling out the hard truths is part of the job; however, when the state of city leaves the people vulnerable and the police department understaffed, you must call that out.
My administration will continue to advocate for the level of services that the people of Mount Vernon deserve — from a Police Commissioner, to a revitalized Memorial Field, to funding the Urban Renewal Agency employees positions so we can continue to provide services for those who are jobless, homeless and hungry.
- Mayor Richard Thomas
1st Annual Mount Vernon CityFest Kicks Off Today!
The 1st Annual Mount Vernon CityFest is under way on Gramatan Avenue from Hartley Park down to Sydney Avenue. This is Mount Vernon’s biggest street fair, featuring live music, great food, sports and health pavilions, and a kid’s zone for the little ones.
Catch performances by the legendary Slick Rick, Rotimi, Kranium, gospel star Jonathan Wilson and more!
This event promises to be fun for the whole family, young and old alike. Tonight’s festivities are still going on so come on out and join us for an iconic celebration of Mount Vernon pride!
Mount Vernon Community That Cares Coalition Attend the Meet The Mayor — Back To School Giveaway
On Saturday, September 13, 2017, at the Howard Street Playground, the Mount Vernon Community That Cares Coalition, with support from the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, distributed over 200 backpacks filledwith school supplies, Youth Bureau programs information, and prevention material at the Meet the Mayor — Back to School Giveaway. MVCTC was organized to respond to the needs of the residents of the City of Mount Vernon. The work of the MVCTC has focused on preventing risk factors and increasing protective factors in the following areas: Substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropout and violence. For more information, please contact MayorThomas@cmvny.com
US Conference of Mayors Energy Committee Meeting
Mayor Richard Thomas participated in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Energy Policy Committee Meeting and led a conversation about building resiliency in our cities and responding to natural disasters such as hurricanes and superstorms. Mayor Thomas cultivated a thoughtful and powerful conversation about what cities have and haven’t done to address resiliency after events like the 2003 Northeast Blackout where a fallen tree limb in Ohio knocked out power all the way in New York City. Mayor Thomas also talked about the need to seriously focus on climate and work towards protecting the environment, not just in talk but also in action.
Next week, Mayor Thomas will join Michelle Obama and other business, education and philanthropic movers and shakers in Orlando, FL, at the Microsoft Envision Conference. In a one on one discussion, Mayor Thomas will share how his administration is leading a digital transformation for the city and spearheading an effort to bring Mount Vernon government from pen and paper into the digital age.
After-School Program Survey
Mayor Richard Thomas has circulated a survey asking parents if they are happy with the after-school program options that are currently available to the. Some early results of the survey are in and the answer is a resounding no! We can do better. The number one issue affecting parents in regard to after school programs is transportation. Because the current selection of programs are not offered at every school, some parents have to arrange for their child to be picked up from school and dropped off at another school that offers the after-school program.
When asked if transportation were made available, would you utilize it, 85% said yes, some weren’t sure, and almost no one said no. These are the types of issues Mayor Thomas will be addressing in the very near future. The results of the survey are not yet complete, and we are still collecting responses, if you have a child in the Mount Vernon public school system, please visit www.cmvny.com/afterschoolsurvey.
#DefendDACA
The United States is a nation of immigrants and nowhere in the country is that more evident than in Mount Vernon. Our city was built by immigrants and made great by immigrants; it’s in Mount Vernon’s blood.
That’s why it’s our job as a city to stand up now and defend DACA, and defend school children who should be focused on the books in front of them while in school, not looking over their shoulders for an ICE agent coming to take them away.
We must stand up for the DREAMERS, they are our our children, whether they were born here or came here as young children, this is their home. Stand with us in support of DACA, and defend our country’s values.
Listen to us live:
Every week, Mayor Thomas speaks to Yonkers Tribune radio with host Hezi Aris: Catch this week’s interview here for an unvarnished look at what’s happening in Mount Vernon: Mayor Thomas also hosts Mount Vernon Moving Forward every Friday on WVOX, from 5pm to 6pm. You can listen to last week’s show here for an in-depth discussion about the what’s going on in Mount Vernon. On the Internet, tune in to Future 98.9 every Wednesday at 8:30am to listen to Mayor Thomas and Minister P. Tyson. You can find last week’s interview here. On Tuesdays at 8am, you can hear Mayor Thomas on 101.5 Linkage Radio. Catch last week’s discussion here.
