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Janice Duarte

Politics
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair
Westchester Mayor Calls For Probe, Resignation Of Board Of Ethics Chair Mount Vernon’s top lawmaker is calling for an investigation of the city’s Board of Ethics chair following allegations that he made threats and sought to coerce a Councilperson. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard issued a statement late on Thursday, April 22 calling for Gregory Cannata’s resignation and a thorough probe into his actions after he allegedly targeted City Councilwoman Janice Duarte. Original story - Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival “The recent allegations and arrest of Board of Ethics chair Gregory Cannata r…

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by Zak Failla
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Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival
Board Of Ethics Chair In Westchester Facing Charges After Allegedly Attempting To Coerce Rival A lawyer who chairs the Board of Ethics of one of Westchester’s largest municipalities is facing charges for allegedly attempting to coerce and threaten a potential political opponent, the District Attorney announced. Gregory Cannata, a lawyer in Mount Vernon who is the chair of the city Board of Ethics, who had hoped to make a Democratic primary run for City Council in June has been arrested and charged with attempted coercion after threatening a political opponent who challenged signatures on his nominating petitions. Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said that the complai…

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by Zak Failla
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Multi-Million Dollar Bid For For Cleanup Of Mount Vernon's Memorial Field Approved Multi-Million Dollar Bid For For Cleanup Of Mount Vernon's Memorial Field Approved
Multi-Million Dollar Bid For For Cleanup Of Mount Vernon's Memorial Field Approved After years of bickering and debate, Mount Vernon officials may have finally come to an agreement to clean up and restore Memorial Field. This week, officials approved a $2.27 million plan to clean up contaminated dirt that was dumped at Memorial Field, a fraction of the originally expected cost. The city Board of Estimates voted 2-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to accept a bid from Tully Environment for the cleanup efforts. The number is down from the initially projected cost of approximately $3.75 million. In total, Tully is expected to remove approximately 30,000 tons of dirt and debris. The pl…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor
Richard Thomas Seeks Restraining Order In Battle Over Who's Mount Vernon Mayor The battle over who is in charge of Mount Vernon is heading to the State Supreme Court. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Andre Wallace, who was appointed acting mayor by the city council, will have their fates determined by a judge as they continue debating who is the actual mayor of one of New York’s largest cities. Thomas is currently seeking a restraining order that would block Wallace from performing mayoral duties and would nullify any actions taken by him, the City Council and City Comptroller Deborah Reynolds in the weeks the two have been jostling for power. On Monday, July 8…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor
NY Post Calls On Cuomo To Remove Mount Vernon Mayor The New York Post is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to “end the Third World-like political chaos” that has overwhelmed Mount Vernon. For months, Mount Vernon City Hall has been in chaos, with the City Council, President Andre Wallace and Comptroller battling Mayor Richard Thomas. On Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says
Thomas Got His Last Paycheck, Is Officially Out As Mayor, Mount Vernon Comptroller Says The chaos at Mount Vernon City Hall may be coming to a resolution as the battle over the mayor's chair has hit a new chapter. Friday, July 19 was payday for city employees, though only one of the two men claiming to be mayor received a full paycheck, with acting Mayor Andre Wallace earning a full check, while Mayor Richard Thomas was reportedly paid for only a few days as he continues questioning his ousting. On Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his ple…

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by Zak Failla
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Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon
Court Appearance Postponed For Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Newly sworn-in Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Shawn Harris will have his day in court, it's just been postponed. Harris, who was reappointed by acting Mayor Andrew Wallace on this week, was arrested during his first day on the job while attempting to enter police headquarters and he was reportedly charged with criminal trespassing. Harris had been scheduled to make a court appearance on Thursday, July 18, but that court date was postponed because no formal charges have officially been filed, according to his lawyer. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr.’s office ann…

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by Zak Failla
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Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court
Police Commissioner Arrested By His Own Officers In Mount Vernon Due To Appear In Court The newly sworn-in police commissioner in Mount Vernon - who was arrested in City Hall this week and detained for nine hours - is scheduled to appear in court. Former Police Commissioner Shawn Harris was reappointed as the Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the Mount Vernon Police Department by acting Mayor Andre Wallace, amid controversies at City Hall about whether Wallace or Mayor Richard Thomas is in charge of the city. On Tuesday, July 16, Harris was taken into police custody while attempting to enter police headquarters and he was charged with criminal trespassing. Harris is …

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by Zak Failla
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DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged
DA Orders Release After Police Commissioner Named By Mount Vernon City Council Charged It took an order from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to release the newly reappointed top cop in Mount Vernon from custody. On Monday, July 15, former police commissioner Shawn Harris was reappointed as the Commissioner of Public Safety in charge of the Mount Vernon Police Department by acting Mayor Andre Wallace, despite the protestations of Mayor Richard Thomas, who has refused to step away from office. However, the following day, Tuesday, July 16, Harris was taken into police custody at Mount Vernon Police Headquarters. Harris was in custody for approximately nine ho…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup
City Hall Chaos: Turmoil, Uncertainty Continue In Unprecedented Mount Vernon Mayoral Dustup Chaos continues to reign supreme inside Mount Vernon City Hall, as the unprecedented controversy over who sits in the mayor’s seat rages into its second week. Last week, on Monday, July 8, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and second-degree offering a false statement for filing. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to resign from office as of Monday, Sept. 30. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to remove Thomas from office immediately, giving him 24 hours to vacate City …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office
Mayoral Mayhem: Thomas Given Deadline To Pick Up Belongings In Mount Vernon Office Who’s the boss? The battle between Richard Thomas and Andre Walker over who is the mayor of Mount Vernon hit a head on Friday, July 12, when Thomas was ordered to vacate his office no later than 8 p.m. Citing Thomas’ misdemeanor criminal convictions, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to replace Thomas and swore in his successor, Wallace, who was the City Council president, as the interim mayor. Councilwoman Janice Duarte was also named the council president. The Council quoted a section of the city charter that calls for elected official…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours
Mount Vernon City Council Orders Richard Thomas To Leave Mayor's Office Within 24 Hours Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas may be out of office sooner than expected as the City Council is forcing him to leave his post after his criminal convictions earlier this week. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges and agreed to resign from his office as of Monday, Sept. 30. However, in a surprising move, on Wednesday, July 10, the Mount Vernon City Council unanimously voted on legislation to remove Thomas from office and swore in his successor, City Council President Andre Wallace, as the interim mayor, while Councilwoman Janice Duarte became the council …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget, Again After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget, Again
After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget, Again After seeing their approved budget vetoed, the Mount Vernon City Council pulled a veto of their own, overriding Mayor Richard Thomas’ veto and passing a $112 million with a near 2 percent rise in taxes. The City Council voted four to one on Wednesday night to uphold a budget that was passed earlier this month, despite protestations and dissent from Thomas. The newly approved spending plan will see the average taxpayer spending approximately $77 more this year. The passage comes after weeks of contention between Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, Comptroller Deborah and the City Council over …

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by Zak Failla