Originally published in Westchester County Press, Tuesday, May 23, 2017
The Mount Vernon Law Department is one of the busiest agencies in City Hall. They are tasked with protecting their client — the City of Mount Vernon and its taxpayers. This year, the department has been forced to do more with less after an attorney was cut from the department.
To this day, the City Council and Comptroller Maureen Walker have refused to say why they cut this crucial position in our legal department as well as the role of Police Commissioner. As Mayor, I believe there’s no excuse to leave the city vulnerable and defenseless. It is not a money problem, it’s a priority problem and, once again, misplaced priorities are hurting the people of Mount Vernon.
The Law Department is the official legal counsel for the Mayor, the City Council, and the Comptroller. They prepare every contract, deed transfer, legislation, and legal document that the city uses. When the city sells property — it must go through the law department. When the city purchases expensive equipment — it must go through the law department. When the city passes a law — it must go through the law department.
The latest threat is from a politically-connected group that is seeking to siphon $3 million dollars from the city’s coffers. Should they succeed in court, taxpayers face a 6 percent increase in their taxes to pay this phantom promissory note. This is the type of secret deal that more than likely happened behind closed doors in years past. I ended this practice. Since elected, the political establishment has undermined every effort to move Mount Vernon forward. Now they struck again by ordering the City Council and Comptroller Walker to vote “no” on protecting the taxpayer in court. This is unacceptable!
The situation reached a fever pitch when Comptroller Walker’s office refused to pay for an expert witness to defend against the $3 million claim, sentencing us to fail. Our outside counsel had to remind them of their fiduciary duty to the taxpayer. It wasn’t until Comptroller Walker realized she could face obstruction of justice charges that her office begrudgingly complied and paid the late bill.
We simply cannot allow taxation without representation to continue to happen. The drama is unnecessary and tarnishes the City’s reputation. The people of Mount Vernon should not have to pay a high price for dysfunction. Failing to defend the city from these hidden attacks means higher taxes, workforce reductions, as well as less funding for youth and senior programs. The high cost of living and looming cuts to Medicare by President Trump is enough to worry about. Adding the prospect of obstructionist Council members and an over-zealous Comptroller is making matters worse. Ask yourself — who benefits from Mount Vernon losing $3 million? Memorial Field? Certainly, not our children.
Paul Redd taught me to stand up for what you believe in. I believe it’s time for some action. Enough is enough. Call Walker at 914–665–2442 and the Council at 914–665–2348 and tell them to stop the wicked ways.
