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Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Westchester Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Westchester
Ticket-Fixing Scandal: Officials Call For Councilman's Resignation In Westchester City officials in Northern Westchester are calling for the resignation of a councilman who allegedly used his close relationship with a judge to get his friend out of a traffic ticket.  In a statement released on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said the majority of the city's Common Council believes that Councilman Ramon Fernandez should resign from his position following his alleged conduct with embattled Peekskill City Court Judge Reginald J. Johnson.  According to a report by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which filed formal…

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by Ben Crnic
News
City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now
City Manager Resigns Suddenly In Westchester: Search For Successor Begins Now A city in Westchester will soon be commencing a search process following the sudden resignation of its manager.  The New Rochelle City Council approved City Manager Kathleen Gill's resignation in a special session held on Tuesday, April 9, officials announced.   Gill's resignation became effective on Tuesday, officials added.  In a statement, New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said Gill is looking to "pursue other opportunities." "She is grateful for her 27 years of service to the City of New Rochelle and is proud to have worked with so many hard-working and …

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run
Longtime City Official In Westchester To Retire After Decades-Long Run A city official in Westchester who has served more than three decades announced his intention to step aside and retire at the end of the year. Chuck Strome III, who has been the New Rochelle City Manager since 2002, announced to the City Council that he plans to retire, staying with the city through Dec. 31, 2022, to assist with the transition. In 1989, Strome began his career in New Rochelle before ascending to become the Assistant City Manager/City Coordinator three years later in 1992. He was appointed as Deputy City Manager in 1995, and active City Manager in April 2002 before taking ov…

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by Zak Failla
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
Lifestyle
Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark
Committee Calls On City To Make Leland Castle A Landmark With the closure of the College of New Rochelle and the planned sale of its 15.6-acre campus, concerned citizens are scrambling to make protect Leland Castle and have it officially named as a city landmark. The New Rochelle Preservation Committee, which includes local residents, neighbors of Leland Castle and alumnae of CNR are seeking the adoption of a City Ordinance that will grant local landmark status to the Castle. “Preservation of the architecturally unique exteriors of the Castle and other buildings depends on action by the City Council, as a private owner is not obligated to mainta…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers
Spano Calls For Ban On Flavored E-Cigarettes In Yonkers Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is calling for a citywide ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarette products. Spano and members of the City Council announced the proposed ban, which would make Yonkers potentially the first city in New York State to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. “E-cigarettes are widely accepted as an addicting gateway drug targeted at our youth. We risk the health of an entire generation of young people who may become addicted to nicotine through the appeal of flavored e-cigarettes,” Spano said. 
“We need our federal and state leaders to take action to address this probl…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change
New Turn In Mount Vernon's Mayoral Musical Chairs: Judge's Ruling Results In Change The lengthy game of musical chairs over who ultimately lands in the mayor’s seat in Mount Vernon may have come to a merciful end after more than five weeks of debate. A state judge has determined that Andre Wallace is the mayor of Mount Vernon, and will stay in that seat through the remainder of the year. "Today a Supreme Court Judge ruled in favor of me," Wallace said. "I assumed the role of acting mayor the moment former-Mayor Richard Thomas took a plea deal. No action to change city council leadership changes that." The ruling ends 37 days of mayoral mayhem over who was actually in char…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor
City Council Puts Copeland In Command, But Wallace Claims He's Still Acting Mount Vernon Mayor Is the third time the charm? After weeks of mayoral musical chairs, the controversies surrounding who’s in charge in Mount Vernon took another twist. The Mount Vernon City Council ousted Andre Wallace from the position of acting mayor and replaced him with Interim City Council President Lisa Copeland days after he was awarded the position when former Mayor Richard Thomas’ injunction to stay in office was rejected by a judge. On Friday, Aug. 2, the Council then voted by a 4 to 1 margin to make Copeland the third mayor to take office in less than a month. According to the city'…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace
Another New Mayor? Mount Vernon City Council Considers Replacing Andre Wallace Click here for an updated story: Mayoral Musical Chairs: Mount Vernon City Council Ousts Wallace, Names Copeland Just when we thought it might have been over. ... Following weeks of mayoral mayhem inside Mount Vernon City Hall, the City Council is now reportedly considering replacing acting Mayor Andre Wallace. The City Council held a special meeting on Friday, Aug. 2 with the intention to potentially oust Wallace and replace him with former City Council President Lisa Copeland. Former Mayor Richard Thomas took Wallace to court and on Wednesday, July 31, a judge ruled against him…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office
Mayoral Mayhem May Be Over: Richard Thomas Moves Out Of Mount Vernon Office Nearly a month of mayoral mayhem appears to be over as the dust settles following a judge’s ruling over who’s in charge in Mount Vernon. A judge ruled against former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ request for an injunction that would allow him to remain in office through the end of September after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor corruption charges. Late on Wednesday, July 31, hours after the judge’s ruling, Thomas was spotted clearing out of the mayor’s office while a city marshal stood by. A U-Haul truck was reportedly loaded with multiple items, which were delivered to the former may…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor
Judge Determines Who Is In Charge As Mount Vernon's Mayor A judge has reportedly ruled against former Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas’ request for an injunction that would allow him to remain in office following his guilty plea to misdemeanor corruption charges. A hearing determined that Thomas is no longer the mayor, following a month of political strife and chaos at City Hall. Acting Mayor Andre Wallace officially took over following the decision on Wednesday, July 31. On Monday, July 8, Thomas pleaded guilty to misappropriating nearly $13,000 in campaign funds and then proceeded to lie about them on government papers. Two days after that plea…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner
Federal Charges Dropped Against Former Mount Vernon Police Commissioner Amid the chaos in Mount Vernon City Hall, as politicians joust over who's in charge, former Police Commissioner Robert Kelly saw a federal judge dismiss charges brought against him by former Mayor Richard Thomas. In April 2018, a lawsuit was filed in federal court against Kelly and 22 others in a “broad conspiracy to defraud the city, during a time that encompassed a period of years when Kelly was not even employed by the city,” the former commissioner announced on Wednesday, July 31 after the charges against him were dismissed. Kelly stated that attorneys for Thomas asked to have the lawsu…

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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
News
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
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
News
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
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
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
News
Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation
Westchester To Take Second Shot At Memorial Field Renovation Is there hope on the horizon for the historic Memorial Field in Mount Vernon? Westchester County officials unanimously voted to take over renovations at the once-vibrant recreation hub, which has stood vacant and desolate for years. The field has been a topic of consternation between Westchester residents, local and county officials. Previously, the city had taken over renovation efforts, which came under fire when contaminated debris was illegally dumped at the field. The charge for change and the county taking over was led by Mount Vernon legislator Lyndon Williams, who said that the pa…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field
Mount Vernon Reaches Agreement With Westchester County Over Memorial Field There may be a light at the end of the tunnel that has become the Memorial Field debacle in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced on Tuesday that he has signed an amended agreement between the city and Westchester County involving the restoration of the once vibrant, historic, Memorial Field. Thomas said that the amendment “reiterates the city and county’s commitment to a competitive  eight-lane track, a field, and replacement of the decayed grandstands.” It amends the previous agreement, signed in December of 2008, between the city and the county. According to Thomas,…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed
Mayor In Westchester Seeks To Have Corruption Indictment Dismissed Embattled Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is seeking dismissal of an indictment claiming that he stole campaign funds and failed to disclose his use of inaugural funds during his initial run for office. Thomas was arraigned on felony corruption charges on March 12 that included grand larceny and filing a false instrument after being accused of stealing more than $10,000 from his campaign committee and lying about it on finance filing forms. The mayor was scheduled to appear before a Westchester County grand jury last month, but failed to do so. According to a lohud report, Thomas failed t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws
Mayor In Westchester Vehemently Denies He Violated State Education Laws Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas called allegations that he collected more than $100,000 while serving as a trustee at a city charter school “factually wrong, grossly negligent and morally bankrupt,” in a statement released late on Thursday afternoon. The Mount Vernon Board of Ethics levied a claim against Thomas this week, stating that he collected more than $100,000 as a trustee at Amani Public Charter School - where he has served since 2011 - which would be in violation of New York State education laws, which state that trustees cannot be compensated for their work. In response to the c…

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by Zak Failla