On Wednesday, the Mount Vernon Charter Review Commission held a meeting to vote on adopting their final report in the Council Council Chambers. A majority of the commission voted against adopting the final report, so the proposed revision will not appear on the November ballot for Mount Vernon voters to consider.
“A majority of the Commission (8/7) voted against adopting the final report. Four of those people spoke at length about their reasons; three others have pretty consistently agreed with those positions, although two of the three have not been as vocal. I’m uncertain about the reasons of the 8th person,” Charter review Commission Chair Tamala Boyd shared with Black Westchester. “Without the final report, which must be presented to the clerk with the ballot questions, there was nothing for the ballot. So the Commission’s work is basically done, save some clean up items. The Commission will expire by operation of law on Election Day, since this will be the second General Election since its creation.”
The charter review process has been heavily discussed and has divided the city on its views on the proposed revision of switching from a strong mayor system to a city manager. Several email blasts and social media posts attacked the mayor and others who opposed the changes, and others did not want the changes. Several groups, including Westchester Latinos Unidos Founder and Executive Director Elvira Castillo, Ernie Richardson – President, Local 107, FDMV, and Robert Richardson of Teamsters Local 456 wrote statements about the lack of outreach, encouraging the report to be voted against. Even former Mayor Richard Thomas released a statement encouraging the delay of charter proposals and fixing the process.
The Mount Vernon Charter Review Commission is composed of (15) fifteen members who must reside in the City of Mount Vernon, New York, and are appointed by the Mayor and the City Council.
The Commission was tasked to prepare a report of its work and conclusions and make its recommendations for revision or amendment to the existing Charter directly to the residents of the City, in either one proposed ballot question or a series of questions, through the City Clerk, who shall be responsible for assuring that these questions are properly and timely available for consideration at a referendum to be held on the next scheduled general election day. For a full description, please see § 268 Charter Commission
Black Westchester is told next steps will include the mayor looking at some of the other proposals and recommendations that could be moved forward and adopted by the city council.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story as more details become available.
