Memorial Field Agreement Contains Hidden Threat to Taxpayers

Mayor Thomas is defending homeowners from an “adjustable rate mortgage” like clause that the County is demanding

Saturday October 6, 2018: (New York) Everyone wants Memorial Field. So, why is Westchester County punishing the taxpayers of Mount Vernon for the misdeeds of previous administrations? We know that they failed to get Memorial Field fixed for the past ten years. We also know that they stood silently by while Ernie Davis, former Mayor, allowed illegal dumping at our beloved park. We know that Mayor Thomas was obstructed for the past three years in every attempt to clean up the mess.

After the County, Council, and Comptroller all came around to embrace Mayor Thomas’ vision for a revitalized Memorial Field, they snuck in a stealth tax threat in the proposed amendment to the original deal. Mayor Thomas was willing to cooperate with the County to make good that Memorial Field can come alive again. Last minute, Westchester County inserted a demand for a blank check without proof. Meanwhile, instead of protecting the taxpayers with Mayor Thomas, certain officials are cheering for the fiscal demise of our city.

The County promised to work with Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has offered to repay certain items earlier administrations squandered as part of the completion of Memorial Field. The County wants a loophole to raid your wallets right now! It’s a sad day when the County doesn’t support its constituents.

Results demonstrate that Mayor Thomas has delivered on his promise to make Mount Vernon safer, increase property values, and strengthen quality of life. He will make good on his pledge to bring back our Memorial Field in an affordable and fiscally responsible fashion. For now, he is defending homeowners from an “adjustable rate mortgage” like clause that the County is slobbering for from clawing back monies that would cripple the city. The real question is why is the County hell bent on picking your wallet to unnecessarily raise your taxes? Why won’t they agree to Mount Vernon re-investing its limited tax dollars into the reconstruction of the park? Why would they want to collect penalties and interest right now?