From Mount Vernon Mayor, Richard Thomas.

POP-UP BEACH AND FIREWORKS ADVANCE  MOUNT VERNON'S ECONOMIC RISE Sandz Concert and Fireworks Implement Mount Vernon's Arts & Culture Plans Two large events this month are designed to enhance Mount Vernon as a destination for arts and entertainment. One includes a pop-up beach and the other fireworks. These events are part of a sequence of plans to drive $1 billion in new economic activity along the Hutchinson River. The Sandz Caribbean Music Festival on Sunday, June 16, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. is expected to attract up to 5,000 partiers. Expected artists include DJ Calli B. In preparation for the Sandz event, the promoters have spread up to 500 tons of clean, safe, premium sand on the field to create a beach environment. After the event the sand will be donated to the City to be used for public works and to level Hutchinson Field. "The economic vision is real," said Mayor Richard Thomas. "Mount Vernon is a destination for economic development and the proof is in the growth of our entertainment industry." Special considerations for the Sandz event include extra security and requiring the promoter to turn the speakers towards Mount Vernon's industrial corridor and away from residential neighborhoods and adjacent municipalities. The Sandz transformation of Hutchinson Field will give the public a glimpse of Mayor Thomas' vision for Mount Vernon Shores, an artificial beach he has proposed next to the Hutchinson River after the City relocates a public works yard that has polluted the river. The Sandz event is the latest effort to raise the profile of Hutchinson Field, which already hosts a dome for summer and winter sports. For the past three years the UniverSoul Circus had a residency at Hutchinson Field, and after the Sandz event the field will resume youth sports events and other entertainment events. Mount Vernon's annual fireworks show is scheduled for June 22 at Memorial Field and the show will honor Tommy Deagan, owner of Lou's Hot Dogs truck. Construction at Mount Vernon High School has forced the move to Memorial Field and the public will be invited to watch the show from a safe distance at the Best Buy parking deck. Garden Avenue will be reserved for food trucks and pedestrians The June 22 date for fireworks is intended to make Mount Vernon the first City in the region to hold an Independence Day-related event. Mount Vernon's police and fire officials have determined that a fireworks show at Memorial Field is safe and poses no threat to the public. Spectators will not be allowed on to Memorial Field; they will be relegated to the Best Buy parking lot. Both the Sandz event and the fireworks advance the Canal Village Revitalization Plan, the Mayor's Arts & Culture Plan and the NYU Tourism Plan for Mount Vernon, all of which are intended to drive $1 billion in new economy activity. By hosting events like Sandz and UniverSoul Circus, visitors from throughout the metropolitan area are exposed to dining, shopping and entertainment options in Mount Vernon. "It's all about fun and funds," said Mayor Thomas. "For visitors a good time and for residents, funds to drive down property taxes. The more responsible, safe fun-the more responsible and reliable tax dollars for jobs and growth."

STAY CONNECTED:  ‌  ‌  ‌ THE MATH ADDS UP — MV SHOULD LEASE NEW GARBAGE TRUCKS READ MORE HERE ACCOMPLISHMENTS GALORE: The Real Narrative Continued Mount Vernon 2019 Fireworks Spectacular! Don't Miss It!!! Mayor Thomas Congratulates 19 Graduates from the Inaugural Mount Vernon Entrepreneurship Training Program Last Thursday, we graduated 19 Mount Vernon entrepreneurs who completed the Women’s Enterprise Development Center 60-hour Entrepreneur Training program. This was the inaugural class of the Mount Vernon Entrepreneurial Training Program, part of the Mayor’s Healthy Homes Initiative. The goal of the program is to provide high quality business training and advisory services to residents looking to realize their American Dream in the city of Mount Vernon. Since the class began in February, the students met every Thursday to learn about small business fundamentals from book keeping, marketing, cash management to how to put together a successful business plan. It was an emotional night for many of the graduates who were joined by friends and family. “First, I want to congratulate all the entrepreneurs here tonight,” said Mayor Thomas. “This is the first time we’ve offered this program in our city, and I’m proud of the 19 entrepreneurs that are here tonight graduating. Investing in our small business community has been a major priority for my administration. I want to thank the Women’s Enterprise Development Center for partnering with the City of Mount Vernon to bring this program to our city. I hope be able to visit your business soon.” Redina Hembree, owner of King’s Southern Delight Restaurant located at 284 E. 3rdStreet in Mount Vernon, gave the opening remarks. As an alumni and board member of Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC), she talked about her first-hand experience with starting a business in Mount Vernon. “A small business is like a new born child. You have to nurture it in order to make it grow, she said. “You will also have unexpected situations that you must overcome to succeed. By completing this course, you have acquired some of the skills necessary to succeed.” 10 years ago Ms. Hembree completed a similar WEDC entrepreneur training. Class representative Maalkah Francis, owner of the Zest for Life juice company, thanked Mayor Thomas on behalf of the class for his vision to bring this program to Mount Vernon. The Thomas Administration has worked with WEDC on access to capital and many other small business seminars over the past two years. Funding for the program was provided by the City of Mount Vernon Community Development Grant Program. For more information on WEDC’s entrepreneur training programs, please visit wedcbiz.org. Mayor Thomas Wishes the US Army a Happy 244th Birthday WATCH HERE Family & Fun at the Superintendent's Reading Challenge Carnival Congratulations to all our hard working students that are making a change for their future. #1MountVernon WATCH HERE Mayor Richard Thomas gives a Proclamation to Mom's Demand Action. For more info about #WearOrange visit: wearorange.com@momsdemand Crime is also down. Serious crimes fell from a reported 1,207 incidents in 2012 to 708 in 2018, a 42% decline. This is a sampling of what’s been done for the people. The fact is we can do even more with cooperation over confrontation. Let’s elevate and keep Mount Vernon moving forward. WATCH HERE Rama Saleh our 9th grader at the Mount Vernon S.T.E.A.M. Academy teaches us about Infrastructure Repairs for Potholes and Sidewalks #Expo WATCH HERE Saturdays with Shah #MountVernonMountVernon Saturday's With Shah is headed to 5th Avenue! Meet us there at 10am on 5th Ave between 3rd Street & Sandford blvd this Saturday as we #cleanmv. 🗑💪 Transportation is available on the Stevens Ave side of City Hall at 9:30am. Parking is also available in Lot #1 behind City Hall. WATCH HERE Vendors Wanted: Mayor Richard Thomas Presents: Mount Vernon Farmers Market Every Thursday from 9am to 3pm from June 6, 2019 to November 21, 2019. Please call the Planning Department at 914.699.7230 for more information. Safe Haven Summer Day Program Mayor Richard Thomas & @youthbureaumv Presents: Safe Haven Summer Day Program. @youthbureaumv is still accepting applications & also extended the deadline to June 21st. #1MountVernon Mayor Richard Thomas calls in to 98.9 FM and Speaks with Father Gassie about Everything Mount Vernon Listen Live Every Friday at 8:30 AM on Future FM 98.7 or on Facebook at facebook.com/MayorRichardThomas  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌