Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Voice of Mount Vernon: Mt Vernon Selling Out to Developers.

 

Mt Vernon Officials Are Selling Our City Away To Developers. The City of Mt Vernon is $millions in debt and owes the school district over $20 million. Yet the City gave developers over $17 million of taxpayer's dollars. Please read the following. The ABO (Authorities Budget Office) oversees IDAs. Here is a link to the complaint form. https://www.abo.ny.gov/Complaint/Complaint.html    Here is the language I used in my complaint. Feel free to use the language and share this in your network. NOTE: I filed this complaint as a concerned citizen who has been studying the IDA closely for years, not a trustee of the school district who also sits on the IDA board.  1. The Mount Vernon IDA gave a 30-year PILOT to a housing developer, but not all IDA board members were aware that the PILOT contract had been executed, including the treasurer who is also Comptroller for the City of Mount Vernon. He found out at the November 14, 2024, IDA meeting. While he was reviewing the IDA financial statement, he noticed a large deposit (the fee paid by the developer to the IDA) and had to ask the attorney if that was related to the project. In fact, a “groundbreaking” ceremony was already scheduled for this project and not all board members were aware and it was not mentioned at the meeting.  2. It was revealed at the November 14, 2024, IDA meeting that Harris Beach, the law firm that represents the Mount Vernon IDA also received a "transaction fee" from the housing developer. How can they honestly represent the interests of the MV IDA (a public benefit authority) if they are also paid a fee by the developer for closing the deal? How is this legal? How is this ethical? At a minimum shouldn't this be disclosed to the public before any deals are made?  3. The Mount Vernon IDAs website does not meet the requirements under Section 2800 of Public Authorities Law. I recently reviewed the ABO review of the Port Chester IDA by Brendan Schaefer, Deputy Director, Compliance and Enforcement. Pages 2 and 3 of that report lists the information that is required to be posted on IDA websites. The Mount Vernon website is missing important information. 4. The chairwoman of the Mount Vernon IDA is the mayor of Mount Vernon. Her largest political campaign contributions came from the property owner, the housing developer, and Harris Beach. This potential conflict was not disclosed to the public and she did not recuse herself from voting on this project. How is this ethical? How is this legal?  5. When the original "economic impact analysis" done for this project (by Victoria Storrs) showed that it offered virtually no economic benefit to the community, Ms. Storrs went back and revised the report by reclassifying certain "developer costs" as "community benefits" thereby making it look like the project offers an economic benefit to the community. Written questions were submitted about this at the public hearing, but they were never answered.  The Mount Vernon IDA lost its ability to take on new projects because it was out of compliance with financial auditing requirements. This housing project is the first new project it has been allowed to take on in many years. Given that context, how was this allowed to happen? At a minimum the contract should have been made available to all members of the IDA and the public when it was executed, "transaction fees" received from the developer by the law firm that is supposed to represent the interests of IDA should have been disclosed to the IDA board and the public before deciding to move forward with this project, potential conflicts of interests between IDA board members and the developer should have been disclosed to the public from the outset, and the MV IDA website should have been in compliance with NYS law before this project was even considered. This project is financed primarily with Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and NYS HFA funding. I understand that there is a serious need for housing for individuals/families on the low-end of the income spectrum. However, the IDA is not a housing agency, it is a tool for stimulating economic growth and creating local jobs. It is unethical to allow for-profit rental housing developers to profit at the expense of local property taxpayers and our local school district. The Voice of Mt. Vernon is a community group and not affiliated with a political group.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Join us for our next Fresh Market Grab and Go Monday, November 18, at 3:00 pm at the Doles Center.

 

Join us for our next Fresh Market Grab and Go Monday, November 18, at 3:00 pm at the Doles Center! Please bring bags to carry your fresh produce.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Voice of Mount Vernon: US Government Says Mt Vernon Misapropriated Money.

 

The US Government Says Mt Vernon Officials Misappropriated Money.

It has been reported that Officials in The City of Mt Vernon misappropriated $millions of Government Covid Aid Money. These funds were awarded to Mt Vernon under the American Rescue Plan Act. Funds were not used as intended and are now missing. The US Government is demanding reimbursement by December 31st, 2024. Look for property taxes to skyrocket and more fees to be implemented. We Are In A Financial Crises Sources report that Mt Vernon has $54 Million in uncollected Debt, and $52 million in long term liability. This will soon rise to over $300 million. Our City is in deep financial trouble due to the raiding of our citizen's finances by City Officials. The Mayor, Comptroller and City Council must resign Ignoring local elections allowed bad actors to obtain office in Mt Vernon. As we gear up for the upcoming Presidential election, we must be mindful that the future of the City Of Mt Vernon mostly depends on who we elect locally. We must vote in all elections. The survival of Mt Vernon depends on the resignation of the current Mayor, Comptroller, and City Council, and the electing of competent and honest replacements

The Voice of Mt. Vernon is a community group and not affiliated with a political group.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Veteran's Day Dinner Celebration.

 

Veterans Day Dinner Celebration!

This Monday, November 11th, we invite veterans and their families to join us for a special dinner in your honor at VFW Post 596 (11 South 3rd Avenue).

Time: 4 PM

Entry: Veterans, please bring a valid VA I.D. or proof of service.

Let’s come together to celebrate and thank our heroes and their loved ones for their service and sacrifices.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: DPW Holiday Sanitation Schedule.

 

In observance of Veterans Day , there will be no garbage or rubbish collection tomorrow, Monday, November 11, 2024. Regular collection services will resume on Tuesday, November 12.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Join us for the Financial State of the City.

 

Join us on November 14th at 7:00 P.M. for the Financial State of the City, hosted by Comptroller Darren M. Morton. 

Attend in person at the City Council Chambers or tune in via live stream to hear important updates about Mount Vernon’s financial outlook.

Mount Vernon Insider: City of Mount Vernon: Dedication Ceremony in honor of Former Mayor Ernest D. Davis.

 

Join us on Sunday November 3rd as we honor the legacy of Mayor Ernest D. Davis with the dedication of the Ernest D. Davis Roundabout!

This ceremony celebrates Mayor Davis’s impact on our community and the bright future he envisioned for Mount Vernon.

Date: Sunday, November 3, 2024

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Lincoln & Gramatan Ave

Come be a part of this historic moment as we officially name the roundabout after him. Let’s pay tribute to a leader who helped shape Mount Vernon’s past and future!