Putting Our Future in Focus
**The following are remarks as prepared for delivery by Mayor Richard Thomas, swearing-in ceremony on Comptroller Deborah Reynolds, Mount Vernon City Hall, January 1, 2018”
Good afternoon family,
To our new Comptroller, Deborah Reynolds, welcome and congratulations. Being able to work for the people of Mount Vernon is a special privilege and I am confident that Comptroller Reynolds is up to the task. I am encouraged to see your family here supporting you.
There is excitement in our city today. There is an energy that comes only with the spirit of change. A new year always brings new resolutions, new goals, and new pathways to walk down. I’m sure many of us gathered here in this room spent last night with friends and family debating and discussing how we want 2018 to be.
As Mayor, I see 2018 as a pivotal year for Mount Vernon and I know we have the motivation to achieve real change.
All elected officials in this room, myself, Comptroller Reynolds, our City Council, are humbled by the task the people have given us. And what a task it is. For our great city is not without challenges. There are parks that we must reclaim and return to use; there are storefronts that we must re-open and an economy that must be fully activated; there are young boys and girls in our city that go to bed hungry most nights and rely on us to provide nourishment, programs, and show them the pathway forward.
The concern and worry that I carry as Mayor is buoyed by hope. Hope of a new government with new ideas. Hope in a new resolve. Hope in a Mount Vernon where the politics align with the needs of the people. Hope in our great city, Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon, the city of happy homes, and the city of hope.
I am often reminded how special Mount Vernon is. In an age where people are becoming disconnected and detached; we remain bonded. One family.
For too long Mount Vernon has been in the past. For 25 years we have looked backward. Now we must heed the words of Scripture and remember what the Lord said to Joshua and “turn not” and look at the past. We must move forward.
Because the problems of the past are no longer acceptable. A shut Memorial Field is no longer acceptable. Not having a movie theatre, a bowling alley, and a hotel is no longer acceptable.
We are the home of Nina Simone, of Sidney Poitier, of Dick Clark, of P.Diddy, of Denzel Washington, of Heavy D., of Pete Rock, and CL Smooth. We are the home of JB Smoove who challenged us to build a beach in Mount Vernon. Well we are building that beach with a ferry to City Island and a greenway for families and friends to ride along.
These are the exciting and transformative projects that we will be working on with the new comptroller. Our future is right before us. And it can seem terrifying. We are in between a rock and hard place. It’s terrifying because everything is new.
But Mount Vernon need not be afraid because we, as a city, have held onto hope.
Mount Vernon was built upon a rock of faith and now we have come together.
So, while the air outside is chilly, the sun has shown bright today. Our sleeves are rolled up and we are ready to work.
May God Bless you and may god bless Mount Vernon.
Please visit www.cmvny.com/mayorthomasreports to watch video of the speech.
Originally Published in the Westchester County Press — January 2, 2018
