Mayor Thomas promotes Mount Vernon Economic Development at Ambassador Young Global Tribute
MONDAY, September 17, 2018: (New York) Mayor Thomas attended the “Global Tribute Honoring Ambassador Andrew Young,” at MGM National Harbor. The Mayor promoted Mount Vernon on a global stage and presented the Ambassador with a Proclamation declaring September 17, 2018, as “Ambassador Andrew Young Day” to inspire the next generation to learn from his legacy of leadership. He also spoke on issues related to civil rights and highlighted economic development projects taking Mount Vernon to the next level.
Ambassador Young said, “Changing the world happens one step at a time, through acts of leadership and courage. It is the work of generations, with progress made possible by those who pass on the lessons learned from both successes and setbacks, and most importantly the necessary knowledge that change is indeed possible.”
Mayor Thomas said, “Ambassador Young is a true original. Listening to and learning from his war stories from the frontlines of change is empowering and encouraging in the fight for good. His endurance to ensure no one is denied basic rights and battle scars from challenging the conscience of the country with Dr. Martin Luther King is a reminder that Love is stronger than hate.”
The Mayor also engaged the Nigerian Ambassador in discussions about increasing direct trade within Mount Vernon’s “opportunity zones.” A key objective is to continue former Councilman Yuhanna Edwards’ “Bridge to Africa” initiative to connect local businesses with prospective global suppliers who export certain raw materials from Africa including cocoa and other responsibly sourced products. Mayor Thomas updated each Ambassador on visionary plans to expand Mount Vernon’s regional transit options to include a ferry to LaGuardia Airport and City Island. The result would involve building new restaurants, shops, and parking structures to support the new economy, generating millions in new economic activity along Mount Vernon’s waterfront parks on the Hutch and Bronx Rivers. The global leaders encouraged Mayor Thomas to continue forward, fearlessly pursuing new ideas to build up Mount Vernon and change the world.
“My focus will always remain on creating real, sustainable jobs growth and inventing new revenue streams to reduce the property tax burden on homeowners,” said Mayor Thomas. “Mount Vernon can rise and, as the World Economic Forum predicts, will leap frog the region as we bolster core services and invest in green Infrastructure to protect the environment while beautifying the city.”
The Mayor also pledged to share best practices with developing African nations on the environment and sustainability as Mount Vernon works to implement the “Clean Green Initiative” to comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act.
