Mount Vernon needs True Leadership (Letter to the Editor)

The people of Mount Vernon have been hoodwinked, bamboozled and disillusioned. While the people of our country have to deal with the Presidency of Donald J. Trump, the people of Mount Vernon must answer to Mayor Richard W. Thomas. Since he came into office he has been at the center of a firestorm that has left behind nothing but chaos. He championed public safety, but has failed to reorganize the Police Department with a record high of 11 homicides in his first year. There is no leadership in Mount Vernon. People have been left on the sidelines while Mayor Thomas travels around the country painting a picture of Mount Vernon that hasn’t been realized yet.

Citizens should know that millions of dollars in lawsuits on the backs of taxpayers, events like the Fireworks & Slide the City are used to pull the wool over our eyes on to what’s going on. Mount Vernon is faltering. His constant battle with City Council and the Comptroller is well documented, but there is no end in sight. The People of Mount Vernon got behind Mayor Thomas because they saw change, but they have been sold down the river. Mount Vernon people are not being put first, the narcissistic and ego-driven policies of the mayor have only done more damage to our divided community.

When mothers can not find the answer to why their sons are dead, when people can not sit and have a meeting with the mayor in his office, when there is no follow-up or plan of action to the real issues in our city there is a problem. Mayor Thomas jumps in front of the camera, but hides behind his police force and others when faced with any scrutiny.

Media outlets like Black Westchester and others have picked up on the shadow hand that moves the Mayor of Mount Vernon. We live in a city where officers are used for intimidation and cover-ups. We live in a city where our own Mayor does not believe in the people and hires outsiders to do his deeds. The people of Mount Vernon are losing faith. How many more good people must be burned before the city wakes up? When will the people hold Mayor Richard Thomas accountable?

Thomas Richards,
Concerned Resident, City of Mount Vernon

AJ Woodson

AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.