WALLACE & REYNOLDS WALKOUT ON BUDGET, TURN BACKS ON CITY
Last night the Board of Estimate and Contract resumed meeting after being put into recess for the Police Commissioner Ronald Fatigate’s funeral. City Council President Andre Wallace, without reviewing the actual budget, already decided to stage a walk out. He through a temper tantrum and proceeded to talk over the Mayor and leave.
THIS IS A SAD MOMENT FOR MOUNT VERNON
All parties were at the table and the 1 person with the power to take this forward, ABANDONS his job and the people. Just walks out and does not leave the building, but goes upstairs to gossip. Yes, not to discuss the budget, but to just carry on with his life.
To add insult to the true financially literate professionals sitting around the table, with a proven history of handling government budgets that far exceed Mount Vernon’s past leaders, Wallace presumed the mayor’s budget had phantom numbers.
Wallace made changes to the budget that resulted in a 15.28% property tax increase that Mayor Thomas categorically rejected.
Wallace claimed it doesn’t make sense to discuss resolving the city’s budget needs even though he didn’t even look into it in depth. Wallace NEVER looked at the numbers. Egging on and partnering with Comptroller Reynolds he evaded looking into the numbers and NEVER even reviewed the budget.
Comptroller Reynolds said a blatant LIE. She has her secretary and sometimes her husband turn away people who have city business with her. She changes the rules to suit herself. The City Council does not hold her accountable because Wallace wants the chaos, even though he said himself she is incompetent and does not give them numbers. Comptroller Reynolds is NOT bonded which is a REQUIREMENT under the City Charter.
Comptroller Reynolds husband “Carl” flips the bird
Comptroller Reynolds claims the Mayors administration has no right to deliver checks or letters unless they are from Commissioners. Comptroller Reynolds says it is fiscally irresponsible, however a State Supreme Court Judge Ordered her to pay over $700,000 in past due bills including toilet paper for seniors, fuel for Police, Fire and Sanitation vehicles as well as vendors like Gramatan Hardware Store.
COUNCIL POLITICALLY PROTECTS REYNOLDS OVER CHARTER RULE SAYING SHE CANNOT REMAIN IN OFFICE
The Mount Vernon City Charter requires the City Council to decide whether or not the Comptroller can operate without insurance. The Mayor officially requested for the City Council to enforce this requirement and Wallace blocked it. He is blocking it again because he wants this havoc to continue for political purposes.
According to court documents, Reynolds is not CPA. Nor is she an accountant. And questions remain as to whether she has a college degree.
THEY WENT LOW, WE WENT HIGH
Mayor Thomas championed the Board of Estimate and Contract and continued the meeting, even with Wallace and Reynolds “Trump-like tantrums,” the Mayor did not adjourn.
Mayor Thomas used this as a teaching moment to rise and make this moment in history count for the People. Mayor Thomas brought all of Mount Vernon’s Commissioners together in one room, he was willing to use every resource to make his 1.53% tax budget succeed. He was willing to work through the night with them to find a collaborative solution, they shamefully walked away from the table and laughed.
THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER.
Commissioner of Management Services who worked on the budget said, “We are so close, we could finish this in about an hour.”
IMMATURITY & IRRESPONSIBILITY
Comptroller Reynolds and City Council President Wallace ignored him therefore ignoring the People’s needs. The system is not working because of blatant obstruction, indifference and immaturity, and purposely de-railing.
MOUNT VERNON HAS A HERO
A hero stands to fight even when the obstacle seems unbreakable.
Watch Mayor Thomas and commissioner Erasmus address these important issues following walk out Wallace and renegade Reynolds staged blockade of the budget process. Mayor Thomas will keep fighting for the people of Mount Vernon.
STAY CONNECTED:
