Dealing In Facts: Mayor Thomas and Planning Commissioner Okarter Layout the Truth, Defeat the Lies to Protect the People

TODAY, January 31, 2019, Mayor Richard Thomas held a status update on the City of Mount Vernon’s 2019 Budget. He categorically rejected Council President Andre Wallace’s 15.28% tax rate increase! Mayor Thomas reassured the public that he is fighting to keep property taxes low, to do more with less and comply with the Clean Water Act. He emphasized that his proposed budget stays under the tax cap at 2.7% and he will work with anyone to protect the taxpayer. After being blocked by political gamesmanship, he assembled various Commissioners to speak the truth on the real culprits preventing Mount Vernon from moving forward, that is, the City Council and Comptroller. He was joined by: Planning Commissioner Chantelle Okarter; Management Services Commissioner Brett Erasmus; Recreation Commissioner Darren Morton; Human Resource Commissioner Nina Crispino; and Inspector General Charles Knapp.

Planning Commissioner Chantelle Okarter gave an impassioned account of the years of obstruction by the City Council and Comptroller. “The administration has been met with denials and No’s! from the City Council and Comptroller, making it impossible to operate,” she said and then outlined the federal rules and regulations.

“I only deal in fact and that’s what I plan to do today. The reason why the City is in the dire financial state it’s in and why the Moody’s rating has been removed is because City Council and the Comptroller have failed to pay for the URA Audit from 2016. The Mayor has made these requests directly to the Council and the Comptroller to try to get funding for the URA’s audit, however, those requests have been met with denials and no’s” she said.

Mayor Thomas Said:
“Their hate cannot outmatch my LOVE for Mount Vernon! This is why I will continue to faithfully fight their obstructionist agenda to hurt you, the people. Their most recent lie is on the budget and their blatant denial of their role in sabotaging Mount Vernon. My budget proposes a 2% rate that is under the tax cap. “

Watch Commissioner Okarter’s Comments from today’s press conference here:
https://www.facebook.com/MayorRichardThomas/videos/365073560941603/?t=553

Find more information about the 2019 Budget here:
www.cmvny.com/2019budget

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