Mayor Thomas Weekly Report November 25, 2017
Thanksgiving Message
Dear Mount Vernon Friends and Family,
I hope you have been able to enjoy Thanksgiving and the past few days with family, friends, and loved ones. This time of year begins the holiday season and it’s a good time to reflect on the things we are grateful for.
I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve as your mayor. My staff and I will continue to work hard to improve the quality of life in our four-square miles, to increase government services, to raise property values and to fix Memorial Field.
Mount Vernon lost one of our finest civil servants over the Thanksgiving holiday. Frank Corvo served for our decades as Maintenance Supervisor for City Hall, the Police Station, and the Court House. He took his pride in his work and was loved by all. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
We were also saddened to learn of the passing of former Westchester County Legislator Bernice Spreckman. As a public servant for over twenty years, Spreckman’s motto was always “people before politics”. It’s a smart maxim and one we should all hold dear.
Respectfully,
Mayor Richard Thomas
Small Business Saturday
Small businesses are moving Mount Vernon forward. Claudio Abreu, from Real Depth of Field Photography, and Mayor Richard Thomas encourage each and every one of our residents to participate in the Small Business Small Business Saturday by shopping local, today, Saturday, November 25, 2017. The results of a new study on the Mount Vernon economy show that Mount Vernon residents spend just under $400 million dollars outside of Mount Vernon! We can recapture that spending power and watch Mount Vernon’s already powerful economy explode! Come out and support the hard-working men and women who are making our economy work and pick up some holiday gifts for friends and family in the meantime!
2017 Mount Vernon Turkey Giveaway
Did you know the City of Mount Vernon supplied residents with over 500 free turkeys during our 2017 Turkey Giveaway? This event was a made possible thanks to the efforts and generosity of local businesses and residents. Thanks to Caribbean Mart, Ralph Fatigate and Gregory Manto from AXA Advisors LLC, Legislator Lyndon Williams, MV4U, Food Bazaar, and Frank Mitaronda from Chief Fire Prevention, for making Mount Vernon shine during this holiday season. We also salute the PDC Foundation, PCNY, and our own departments including Police, Public Works, Water, Recreation, Civil Defense, and Buildings Department as well as our auxiliary police officers for running a smooth event
for our residents.
Mount Vernon Tree Lighting!
This year we once again welcome the holiday season with our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at City Hall Plaza. We will feature horse & carriage rides, a variety of carols & musical performers, as well as a free Christmas tree and wreath raffle! This year’s tree and decorations will once again be sponsored by one of Mount Vernon’s star businesses: American Christmas, now MK Illumination. Come join us in kicking off the holiday season. Don’t miss this magical annual event!
2018 Budget Town Hall
Mayor Richard Thomas held a town hall on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, to lay out his vision for economic growth, improved city services, and raising property values. The Mayor outlined the theme of his budget which is designed to provide solutions to ongoing issues, increase Mount Vernon’s jobs market, and to fully activate Mount Vernon’s economy. He also addressed Comptroller Maureen Walker and the City Council’s budget proposal which fails to address the incoming fines/penalties from the DEC, gives no money to Memorial Field, and provides no solutions to fixing our Urban Renewal Agency. The Mayor was joined by Public Works Commissioner Joseph Nigro as well as Ms. McNeil, a local resident whose home has experienced flooding for years because of sewer issues. They discussed the monetary and personal impacts ignoring our sewer issue will have on the city. Call the City Council at (914) 665–2473 and Comptroller Walker at (914) 665–2442 and tell them you support the Thomas Budget for a New Fiscal Future!
Mount Vernon Youth Bureau Attends Westchester County Budget Hearing
On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, Youth Bureau staff, youth, and parents of Westchester County-funded programs attended the County’s budget hearing at the Yonkers Riverside Library. The young people were excited to have the opportunity to express how much they have learned in the Bureau’s free after-school programs and parents had the opportunity to express how much these programs are needed for young people and that they appreciate being able to ensure their children are in safe and nurturing environments while they are at work.
Mount Vernon Armory Thanksgiving Luncheon
Mayor Thomas joined Mount Vernon’s senior residents at the Armory, on Monday, November 20, for their annual Thanksgiving luncheon. The Mayor shared a Thanksgiving meal with many seniors. Recreation Commissioner Darren Morton, Director of Aging Geraldine Christiana, Acting Police Commissioner Shawn Harris, Senator Jamaal Bailey, and Mount Vernon’s own famous resident 101-year-old Ms. Davis participated in this annual holiday gathering. The Mayor was happy to announce Comptroller Walker is supporting his efforts to bring new equipment to the Armory and the Doles Center like new TVs, new chairs, new tables, and new computers. Click here to see how the Thomas Budget will improve services for seniors and increase their health and quality of life.
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 this week’s discussion here.
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