Saturday, December 19, 2015

MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS APPOINTS RACIST, CORRUPT COP TO PHANTOM DEPUTY MAYOR POSITION

EMBATTLED MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS
Last night, Mayor Elect Richard Thomas sent out an email stating that he made his first appointment to his administration.  There is just one problem.  The position does not exist and an appointment to the said position requires City Council approval after a long extensive process that includes several public hearings. 

Richard Thomas appointed Robert Kelly as his Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.  When rumors of Kelly's appointment starting circulating the streets earlier this week, the Mount Vernon Police Department was in an uproar. 

The uproar was because while Kelly was head of the Detective division in Mount Vernon 90% of his arrests were illegal. 

RACIST CROOKED COP
ROBERT KELLY
Kelly's policing tactics were similar to what we see today in Baltimore, MD and Ferguson, MO.   Kelly instructed narcotics detectives to target only the south side of Mount Vernon and routinely instructed police officers to "plant drugs" on African Americans.  Kelly was viewed as a racist by many of his colleagues. 

Kelly's underling at the time was Mark Hackett, who was the supervisor of Narcotics.  According to a law enforcement insider, Kelly was hard on locking up African Americans and everyday stressed the need for the officers to "get their of numbers" up. 

Kelly's appointment as "Deputy Mayor for Public Safety has P.B.A. rank and file members in a frenzy and many are now banding together to formulate a plan to undermine Kelly if he is appointed to anything having to do with the Mount Vernon Police Department.

Kelly's appointment is Mayor Elect Richard Thomas' latest shenanigan and many are questioning, especially those that got him elected, if Richard is capable of running the City of Mount Vernon.  Richard recklessly sent out two Robo-Calls to homeowners stating that the tax increase was going to be in the double digits when in fact the tax increase for 2016 is only 2.19%.

Mount Vernon residents are urged to call the Mount Vernon City Clerk at (914) 665-2348 to sign up to speak at the next City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 to protest and speak out against Mayor Elect Thomas creating any new positions that will raise taxes and burden already financially strapped taxpayers.


TO BE CONTINUED...



Wednesday, December 16, 2015

TONIGHT: COME OUT AND SUPPORT 2016 SPENDING PLAN-TAX INCREASE ONLY 2.19%




Tonight, Mount Vernon residents are urged to come out in full support of the 2016 City of Mount Vernon spending plan.  The proposed tax increase for 2016 is only 2.19% and is possibly the lowest municipality tax increase in the County of Westchester.

Mayor-Elect Richard Thomas has been bamboozling the public with malarkey stating that the tax increase in going to be in the double digits.  This is far from the truth.  Mayor Elect Thomas sent out two misleading robo-calls pertaining to the phantom double-digit tax increase.  Mount Vernon residents are just about fed up with the Mayor-Elect's antics.

Mount Vernon Exposed visited the Richard Thomas for Mayor Facebook page and this Mount Vernon resident had the following to say:

‪Hecate Doe‪ How can an innocent citizen stop the CONSTANT and harassing late evening calls from Thomas, disturbing the family and waking kids at 8:30 p.m. and later?

The Mayor Elect's antics speaks to a much larger issue:  He is not prepared to lead and does not possess the qualities of a leader. 

The public hearing on the 2016-spending plan takes place at 7 P.M. tonight in the City Council Chambers. 








Friday, December 11, 2015

MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS IS A PURE FRAUD-NO DOUBLE DIGIT TAX INCREASE-TAX INCREASE 2.19% FOR 2016

EMBATTLED MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS
Mayor-Elect Richard Thomas continues to defraud the public with misinformation.   Thomas latest shenanigans were a series of two robo-calls that were deliberately meant to alarm the public about a double-digit tax increase and possible contamination at Memorial Field.  In his robo-call to residents, Thomas said his colleagues on the City Council were attempting to pass a budget more than 10 times the state mandated limit.  We find this quite amusing especially since Thomas voted year after year after year to override the state mandated tax cap that he is now complaining about.

On Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Richard Thomas stated to the public that there was going to be a double-digit tax increase when in fact, he had not even seen the budget yet. 

Thomas has failed to show qualities expected from a leader.  Instead he continues to divide the community with his blatant lies and propaganda.  Thomas must realize that it is time to govern and campaigning season has come to an end. 

Thomas was a no-show at today's press conference concerning the closing of the probation office.  Instead he chooses to grandstand about a fictitious double-digit budget that does not exist.

Mount Vernon Exposed did some investigating in regards to the alleged double-digit tax increase by Mayor Elect Richard Thomas.  The proposed budget increase for 2016 is only 2.19% and a public hearing is set on the 2016-spending plan on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 7 P.M. in City Council Chambers.

Mount Vernon Exposed would like to commend Mayor Ernie Davis, Comptroller Maureen Walker, and City Council President Marcus Griffith for working feverishly to bring in a budget close to the state mandated tax cap.

LYNDON WILLIAMS
Now, Thomas has teamed up with Legislator Lyndon Williams and the duo are hosting a town hall meeting tomorrow to discuss this phantom double digit tax increase.  Legislator Williams will continue to lose creditability if he continues to listen to the inexperienced and naive Mayor Elect who continues to grandstand for personal and political gain. 


Mount Vernon residents are urged to boycott Mayor Elect Richard Thomas and Legislator Lyndon Williams town hall meeting.  It is a waste of time. 








Thursday, December 3, 2015

MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS VOTES TO ALLOW DEVELOPER TO DESTROY WILSON WOODS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING

EMBATTLED MAYOR ELECT RICHARD THOMAS
Last night, over 40 Mount Vernon taxpayers came out to the planning board meeting to protest against a developer seeking to put up a building in the middle of Wilson Woods Park. 

The project, a hideous and poorly designed 120 Unit multi family building, was voted in favor for by Mayor-Elect Richard Thomas.  Mayor-Elect Richard Thomas has a habit of voting for controversial projects and then disappearing into thin air when it hits the fan. 

While on the City Council, Mayor Elect Thomas praised the project as one of the best developments on the drawing board in the City of Mount Vernon.  Mount Vernon taxpayers disagree.  One after the other, residents took to the podium to vent their frustration with the developer, The City Council, and the Industrial Development Agency.

Some residents even cried fouled and called for a federal investigation into the business relationship between Mayor Elect Richard Thomas and the attorney representing the developer, Mark Weingarten, of DELBELLO DONNELLAN WEINGARTEN WISE & WIEDERKEHR, LLP. Mark Weingarten is a registered NYS registered lobbyist and also a financial donor to Mayor Elect Richard Thomas' campaign coffers.

At the center of the controversy is the zoning change approved by the Mount Vernon City Council.  Mayor Elect Richard Thomas voted in favor of this zoning change.  Prior to the controversial city council vote, the property in Wilson Woods Park was zoned commercial.  City Council members, including Richard Thomas voted in favor of rezoning a property within Wilson Woods Park from commercial to residential.  Deborah Reynolds was the only City Council member that voted in opposition to the zoning change.

On October 7, 2015 Weingarten's law firm made a $500 donation to "The Friends of Richard".  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Weingarten pledged to raise over $150K for Richard's campaign, however Weingarten never raised the funds.  A political insider informed Mount Vernon Exposed that Thomas should have recused himself from any vote involving Mark Weingarten or the DELBELLO DONNELLAN WEINGARTEN WISE & WIEDERKEHR, LLP law firm. 

According to the insider, the relationship between Thomas and Weingarten goes back to when Richard used to work for Gov. David Patterson.  Did Weingarten, a lobbyist, call on Richard for favors while Richard worked for the governor?

In addition to being the attorney of record representing Woods Partners, the developer seeking to construct the hideous apartments in Wilson Woods, Weingarten is also the registered lobbyist for the project.

Even though Weingarten is registered with New York State as a lobbyist, it is unclear if he disclosed his financial arrangement getting compensated as a lobbyist by Woods Partners, to Mount Vernon City Council members prior to the zoning vote change.  Weingarten and his law firm are being paid $5,000 per month from Wood Partners to get the required approvals for this project. The agreement began January 7, 2015 and runs until December 31, 2015.  On November 20, 2015, Wood Partners entered in an extension that will extend Weingarten's agreement from January 1, 2016 until December 31, 2016.


In the reports filed with the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Weingarten stated that the lobbied " NYS LEGISLATIVE BRANCH; STATE AGENCIES; COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER".  Weingarten makes no mention in the reports of lobbying any elected officials in Mount Vernon whatsoever.

Prior to the zoning vote change, Richard Thomas told members of the community that he was against the Wilson Woods project.  What made Richard change his mind and his vote?  Was he promised something in exchange for switching his vote?

One by one residents slammed the developer for spoiling the natural park setting of Wilson Woods.  Dozen of trees will be destroyed and cut down in the process.  Wildlife will be destroyed.  Many residents said that they would like to see an upscale catering banquet facility at the location currently being proposed for the substandard housing. Residents spoke of having Mount Vernon's own "Tavern on the Green" in Wilson Woods Park.  Residents wholeheartedly supported the idea of an upscale banquet hall with scenic views of the Hutchinson River. Mount Vernon residents complained about always having to go outside of Mount Vernon to the beach clubs in New Rochelle to attend functions. 

Residents also questioned the traffic study that was done by the developer and urged Planning Board members to get their own independent traffic report. 

Outsiders such as Wood Partners and Weingarten always feel the need the dictate what they "feel is best" for Mount Vernon as if Mount Vernon is some third world country in need of "bailout rescue aid". There is not a lack of housing in Mount Vernon.  In fact, there are a substantial vacant and zombie homes all throughout Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon leads Westchester County in foreclosures.  Perhaps, Woods Partners should purchase these derelict properties and convert them to "luxury housing".

During his presentation to the planning board, Weingarten stated that due to the "shrinking commercial base in the area"; it was necessary to apply for the zoning change.  That statement made by Weingarten is absolutely false. Mr. Weingarten also stated that the seller was not able to find a buyer for the property because of the "shrinking tax base". Cross County has recently undergone $250M in renovations. A hotel is now located in Cross County.  Bay Plaza is rapidly expanding.  A mall was opened in Bay Plaza several months ago. Dave and Buster's and Panera Bread are now open in Pelham Manor. Where is this "shrinking tax base" Mr. Weingarten referring to?   

The project as proposed, falls short on taxes.  The developer received a P.I.L.O.T or Payment in lieu of taxes, agreement from the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency.  The developer wants to construct studio, one, and two bedroom apartments.

It costs approximately $30K per year to educate each pupil in the City of Mount Vernon. The developer stated that out of 120 units with approximately 52 two bedrooms, only 10 students will occupy the Mount Vernon school district.
Residents feel that around 40-60 kids from the massive complex would occupy local schools.  That would be an additional $1.2M -$1.8M cost to Mount Vernon taxpayers. 

Weingarten was able to get his client to pay $450K per taxes the first year, with slight increases every year thereafter. Taxpayers are forced once again to pick up the tab of a greedy developer with no ties to the Mount Vernon community. Weingarten also got his client exemptions for sales and mortgage recording tax. 

According to Wood Partners website: STRONG FOUNDATION

In little more than a decade and a half, Atlanta-based Wood Partners has become one of the most active and progressive multifamily investment firms in the nation. The company’s rapid rise owes to a strong foundation.

Does this sound like a company that needs tax breaks?


Planning Board Commissioners voiced their concern over developers doing a bait and switch.  In the past, developers have changed the project after the initial approval process, to affordable housing when they were not able to secure funds to build.

Mr. Weingarten should look to build in his own community before he comes to Mount Vernon with projects that will bankrupt taxpayers.

Mr. Weingarten resides in Golden's Bridge, NY. Golden's Bridge is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in the town of Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York. The population was 1,630 at the 2010 census.

Westchester County is currently being sued for having zoning laws in mostly white neighborhoods that do not allow the construction of affordable multi family housing, the same type of housing Weingarten and Wood Partner are seeking to construct at Wilson Woods Park.

According to the Federal Consent Decree:

(a) No less than six hundred thirty (630) of the Affordable AFFH Units shall meet the following locational criteria:

(i) the municipality in which the units are to be developed had, according to 2000 Census data, both a “single race African-American only” population less than three (3) percent and a Hispanic population less than seven (7) percent, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters as defined by the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (U.S. Census Bureau) (“group quarters”) from the relevant population; and

(ii) the units shall not be developed in any census block which had, according to 2000 Census data, (A) a “single race African-American only” population of more than ten (10) percent and a total African-American population of twenty (20) or more, or (B) a Hispanic population of more than ten (10) percent and a total Hispanic population of twenty (20) or more, as calculated after removing people living in group quarters from the relevant population, except to the extent such requirement is waived pursuant to paragraph 15(a)(ii). 

Mr. Weingarten's very own community is in violation of the Federal Consent Decree.  Mount Vernon Planning Board Commissioner's should ask Mr. Weingarten about the progress he has made in his own community before they allow this project to go any further.

TO BE CONTINUED.....