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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 remaining fuel has been reserved for emergency services such as the fire and police departments as a precaution.
“The Mount Vernon Department of Public Works ran out of fuel because the City’s fuel vendor, Sprague, cut the city off due to non-payment,” Thomas wrote in an email. “This comes after months of warnings by Mayor Thomas and his administration that Comptroller Reynolds is refusing to accept invoices and even signed checks, failing in her main responsibility, to pay the city’s bills.”
Thomas said that “without fuel, police and fire emergency operations are critically compromised. Lives are at stake.”
In a series of social media posts over the weekend, Thomas took videos of area residents who were concerned about Reynolds and her office. On Monday, Reynolds reportedly locked her door to all city employees before closing up for the day before noon.
“Earlier today, Mayor Thomas went to Comptroller Reynolds office but Comptroller Reynolds declined to speak to Mayor Thomas about paying the fuel bills,” the mayor posted on Facebook. “City Council President Wallace & Comptroller Reynolds LIED about paying the fuel bills. Mayor Thomas called Steve Levy and he confirmed that the fuel bills have not been PAID IN FULL. Mayor Thomas is doing all he can to keep the city clean and moving forward.”
Reynolds has claimed that she signs the checks and sends them over to Thomas’ office for his countersignature, putting the onus on him. According to a News 12 report, Reynolds showed paperwork of checks she signed - including several for Sprague - that were dated May 6.
“Mayor Thomas is the one not paying the bills, not the Comptroller,” Reynolds stated. “He’s not signing the checks. He’s holding the checks up almost a month at a time; holding vouchers and invoices for almost two years in his office.”In an email, a spokesperson for Thomas said that “Mayor Thomas has repeatedly called on the City Council to take action to hold the Comptroller accountable, but they have idly watched this crisis continue to form. The people of Mount Vernon, have petitioned Gov. Cuomo to step in, take action, and help the people, but received no response other than an acknowledging they received the petition. This has been ongoing and (Mount Vernon) citizens need help.
“No action after inaction has put the city and our resident in danger. Time is up, there is no more time for excuses. A decision needs to be made immediately, today.”
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