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Deborah Reynolds

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Mayor Declares State Of Emergency In Mount Vernon Amid Financial Concerns Mayor Declares State Of Emergency In Mount Vernon Amid Financial Concerns
Mayor Declares State Of Emergency In Mount Vernon Amid Financial Concerns The mayor of one of Westchester’s largest cities is sounding the alarms and declaring a State of Emergency as the community contends with “gross negligence and dereliction of duty” of the city’s Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced on Thursday, July 15 that she has declared a State of Emergency due to internal strife at City Hall as Comptroller Deborah Reynolds allegedly failed to process or pay invoices for hundreds of thousands of dollars for city vehicles. According to Patterson-Howard, Reynolds has failed to pay approximately $500,000 for critical parts and …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller
Mount Vernon Mayor Calls On DA To Investigate City Finances, Comptroller Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is calling on the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office to investigate the city’s finances as it faces a potential budget crunch due to uncooperative officials. Patterson-Howard issued a public letter to District Attorney Miriam Rocah asking for assistance as Mount Vernon faces potential furloughs or layoffs of essential employees if they are forced to slash the budget. Potential cuts would include public safety, civil service, and public works employees. According to Patterson-Howard, the city has been struggling to get information f…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances
Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller At Odds Over City Finances Drastic cuts could be coming to one of Westchester’s largest cities as the Mayor butts heads with the City Comptroller. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the City Council recently held a joint press conference regarding Comptroller Deborah Reynolds and her “lack of transparency, accountability, and professionalism,” that has left the city at a financial crossroads. According to Patterson-Howard, as the city and state continue combating the COVID-19 crisis, Mount Vernon requires Reynolds to release more than $12 million, or austerity measures may be put in place, including a 25 …

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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 Report: Cuomo Should Remove Mount Vernon Mayor NY Post Report: Cuomo Should Remove Mount Vernon Mayor
NY Post Report: Cuomo Should 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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With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon
With Garbage Piling Up, Trash Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon Garbage is piling up on Mount Vernon streets as DPW crews were grounded for the second straight day due to a lack of fuel, though trash pickup is expected to resume Wednesday. According to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, the city was down to approximately 800 gallons of fuel for the city’s fleet on Tuesday, June 4, before receiving a new supply. Thomas said that garbage pickup will resume on Wednesday, June 5. DPW crews will begin garbage pickup citywide beginning at 6 a.m. and Thomas vowed that they will run until "all the trash from all sides of Mount Vernon in one shot.” DPW Commis…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
No Garbage Pickup In Mount Vernon As Mayor, Comptroller Spar Over Who's Not Paying Bills No Garbage Pickup In Mount Vernon As Mayor, Comptroller Spar Over Who's Not Paying Bills
No Garbage Pickup In Mount Vernon As Mayor, Comptroller Spar Over Who's Not Paying Bills Some essential services - including garbage pickup - were temporarily cut in Mount Vernon as Mayor Richard Thomas and Comptroller Deborah Reynolds continue their public spat. Thomas says that vendors are cutting off fuel from the city for non-payment as Reynolds refuses to accept signed checks, even as gas reserves continue to dwindle, leading to no garbage or yard waste pickup during the morning of Monday, June 3 as DPW trucks were grounded. The mayor alleges that Reynolds continues to refuse to accept invoices and the city is facing millions of dollars in unpaid bills and penalties. The r…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Battle Between Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, Reaches Fever Pitch Battle Between Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, Reaches Fever Pitch
Battle Between Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, Reaches Fever Pitch The ongoing battle between Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Comptroller Deborah Reynolds has reached new heights. This week, Reynolds reportedly removed Thomas and Mount Vernon City Council President Lisa Copeland from the city’s bank-account signature card, which the mayor argues is a violation of the City Charter. Thomas stated that “ if Comptroller Reynolds were to become incapacitated or unable to fulfill her duties, there is no one empowered to officially sign the City's checks.” On Friday, Thomas went after Reynolds again, this time because the Comptroller’s office was clos…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Chase Counters Claim Of Racial Profiling At White Plains Branch By Mount Vernon Mayor Chase Counters Claim Of Racial Profiling At White Plains Branch By Mount Vernon Mayor
Chase Counters Claim Of Racial Profiling At White Plains Branch By Mount Vernon Mayor JPMorgan Chase is refuting claims from a mayor in Westchester who is claiming he was the target of racial profiling for “banking while black” at a local Chase Bank in White Plains. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said that police were called to a JP Morgan Chase office on Westchester Avenue on Thursday, April 25, while he was waiting to see a bank official. According to an email from one of Thomas’ spokespeople, bank officials summoned the police on him, his chief of staff, and a Mount Vernon Police detective as Thomas sought access to Mount Vernon’s online banking records. “The response…

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by Zak Failla
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Chase Offers Differing Version To Incident Involving Mount Vernon Mayor Chase Offers Differing Version To Incident Involving Mount Vernon Mayor
Chase Offers Differing Version To Incident Involving Mount Vernon Mayor JPMorgan Chase is refuting claims from a mayor in Westchester who is claiming he was the target of racial profiling for “banking while black” at a local Chase Bank in White Plains. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said that police were called to a JP Morgan Chase office on Westchester Avenue on Thursday, April 25, while he was waiting to see a bank official. According to an email from one of Thomas’ spokespeople, bank officials summoned the police on him, his chief of staff, and a Mount Vernon Police detective as Thomas sought access to Mount Vernon’s online banking records. “The response…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Council 'Robbing Peter To Pay Paul,' Mount Vernon Mayor Says City Council 'Robbing Peter To Pay Paul,' Mount Vernon Mayor Says
City Council 'Robbing Peter To Pay Paul,' Mount Vernon Mayor Says Internal strife, bickering and finger-pointing inside Mount Vernon City Hall is back, with the mayor now vetoing a City Council transfer of funds, claiming that they are “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced this week that he vetoed a City Council resolution that sought to transfer funds within the Department of Public Works to free up grant-matching funds to match EPA compliance. The city is facing millions of dollars in fines from the Department of Justice and EPA for its failing sewer system and other violations. The latest back-and-forth between the m…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor Wins Decisive Court Victory Over City Official Mount Vernon Mayor Wins Decisive Court Victory Over City Official
Mount Vernon Mayor Wins Decisive Court Victory Over City Official Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is going to open up the books and investigate the city’s finances after winning a decisive court ruling over Comptroller Deborah Reynolds. Supreme Court Justice Susan Cacace ruled this week that Reynolds is to stop blocking Thomas’ administration’s access to printed and online financial records that will “allow him to determined how much money the city truly has.” Thomas and Reynolds have been butting heads for months, with both pointing fingers at each other for the city’s woes, financially and otherwise. “This court finds that the drafters of the City Ch…

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by Zak Failla
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Garbage Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon After DPW Trucks Grounded Garbage Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon After DPW Trucks Grounded
Garbage Pickup Resumes In Mount Vernon After DPW Trucks Grounded Internal strife continues at Mount Vernon City Hall as garbage and recycling pickup resumes a day after officials were forced to cancel it due to nearly a dozen DPW trucks that failed safety inspections. Last week, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced that eight of the DPW’s 17 sanitation trucks are currently out of commission, and the city owes $257,066 to 13 parts vendors. Some of the unpaid bills allegedly date back to last April. Two of Mount Vernon’s five street sweepers are also out of commission. On Wednesday, March 6, the dearth of trucks forced officials to ca…

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by Zak Failla
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Mount Vernon Cancels Recycling Collection Due Grounded Garbage Trucks Mount Vernon Cancels Recycling Collection Due Grounded Garbage Trucks
Mount Vernon Cancels Recycling Collection Due Grounded Garbage Trucks Mount Vernon’s diminished DPW fleet forced the city to cancel its garbage and recycling collection on Wednesday. Last week, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced that eight of the DPW’s 17 sanitation trucks are currently out of commission, and the city owes $257,066 to 13 parts vendors. Some of the unpaid bills allegedly date back to last April. Two of Mount Vernon’s five street sweepers are also out of commission. On Wednesday - a day after a malfunctioning DPW truck went rogue, slamming into a car and damaging a house - Thomas announced that citywide recycling is cancelled and garba…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor: 'Half Of DPW Fleet Down' Due To Comptroller, Unpaid Bills Mount Vernon Mayor: 'Half Of DPW Fleet Down' Due To Comptroller, Unpaid Bills
Mount Vernon Mayor: 'Half Of DPW Fleet Down' Due To Comptroller, Unpaid Bills Political strife may be leading to diminished services for residents in Mount Vernon, according to Mayor Richard Thomas. “Due to Comptroller Deborah Reynolds’ refusal to pay the city’s bills, vendors who supply the Department of Public Works with crucial parts that are necessary to keep Mount Vernon’s aging fleet operational have cut the city off. Without these parts and supplies, DPW mechanics cannot perform critical repairs, which means when trucks go down, they stay down,” Thomas said on Thursday. According to Thomas, eight of the DPW’s 17 sanitation trucks are currently out of commissio…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor Vetoes Passed 2019 Budget Mount Vernon Mayor Vetoes Passed 2019 Budget
Mount Vernon Mayor Vetoes Passed 2019 Budget Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced that he has vetoed a budget for 2019 that was passed earlier in the day. On Friday morning, after weeks of debate and disdain, the Mount Vernon City Council passed a $112 million budget for 2019 that represents a rise in city taxes of nearly 2 percent. Thomas announced that he is vetoing the "illegal" 2019 budget in an email sent at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon. With a 4 to 1 vote, the City Council approved the budget, which will see the average taxpayer spending approximately $77 more this year. The passage comes after weeks of c…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, To Begin Controversial Court Case Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, To Begin Controversial Court Case
Mount Vernon Mayor, Comptroller, To Begin Controversial Court Case The long-standing feud between embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas and Comptroller Deborah Reynolds is set to come to a head this week in court. The mayor and his comptroller are set to say their parts in front of Judge Susan Cacace in state Supreme Court in Westchester, with the trial to kick off on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Thomas has contended that Reynolds is failing to do her job, and has even petitioned New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to remove her from her elected position.  Reynolds has stated that Thomas should be ousted, citing criminal claims that have been levied against him t…

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by Zak Failla