MOUNT VERNON RESIDENTS OPPOSE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON 9.8% TAX INCREASE

THE 2013 CITY OF MOUNT VERNON PROPOSED BUDGET CALLS FOR A 9.8% TAX INCREASE!

Dear members of Mount Vernon Taxi United Association Inc. members and Mount Vernon residents,

City of Mount Vernon taxpayers are currently paying the highest property taxes in the country.  Yet, year after year our politicians continue to raise taxes.  The City of Mount Vernon also leads the County of Westchester in property foreclosures as a result of high property taxes.  

While we understand that the cost of services such as healthcare and pension are the main catalyst fueling these exorbitant tax increases, we firmly believe our city officials must work hard to find new and continued sources of revenue to offset even the slightest tax increase. 

The Committee for Taxi Safety encourages the public to continue to support Mayor Ernie Davis, Comptroller Maureen Walker,  Councilman Richard Thomas and Councilman J. Yuhanna Edwards as they have been at the forefront when it comes to seeking additional streams of revenue for our taxpayers.  They too are taxpayers and realize that we cannot cut our way to prosperity as we already have scarce resources. 

Approximately 10 years ago, a vital business segment and public service in the community was brought to the brink of collapse due to the  actions of city officials.  Without rhyme or reason, overnight the taxi business was in shambles, taxi cabs started to deteriorate, and the taxi medallion system was no more.  The was now no value in the taxi business in the City of Mount Vernon. 

The Committee for Taxi Safety has drafted legislation and submitted it to City officials that will bring the taxi medallion system back to the City of Mount Vernon.  A sense of pride, dignity, and business ownership will once again exist in the private taxi sector business in the City of Mount Vernon  The Committee for Taxi Safety has projected that returning to the medallion system like our counterparts in New Rochelle and White Plains, $3M in new revenue will be generated in 2013.  This will balance the budget and spare already cash strapped residents a hefty tax increase they cannot afford.                  

The Committee for Taxi Safety stands in solidarity with The Mount Vernon United Taxi Association on the journey to restore integrity and fiscal sanity back to the taxi professionals in the City of Mount Vernon.  We encourage all Mount Vernon residents to come out and support and stand in solidarity with our city officials are they move this historic piece of legislation forward.  Your attendance is crucial.  PLEASE SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF THE BUDGET AND IN FAVOR OF RESTORING THE TAXI MEDALLION SYSTEM.