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. 

OCCUPY MOUNT VERNON ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

TWO DAYS UNTIL WE OCCUPY MOUNT VERNON: 

The excitement is building.   FELLOW MOUNT VERNONITES DO NOT BE CONFUSED.  A Group of disruptive obstructionists led by Westchester County Democratic Chairman Reggie Lafayette,  former Mayor Ernie Davis, County Legislator Lyndon Williams, and City Council candidate Richard Thomas HIJACKED the event planned and organized by community activist and Democratic district leader Samuel L. Rivers and are starting to call it their own for POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING purposes.  

“Mount Vernonites must remain focused and not be misled by the 1%” said Rivers.  “This rally will shed light on the corruption, high taxes, unemployment, and failing schools that the 1% contributed to.  We will take back our government from the 1% on Saturday, October 22, 2011.

Rivers said that he will also address NEW EXPLOSIVE allegations that City Council candidate Richard Thomas mislead the public and committed widespread fraud regarding the misrepresentations he made to the public regarding the closing of the social security office.  “Richard Thomas is a con man and a fraud and he will be exposed at this rally along with the other 1% as their policies have made Mount Vernon the highest taxed city in America.”

The agenda for Saturday will start with a prayer to save Mount Vernon from the 1%.  We will also discuss election reform and election fraud, high property taxes, the sharp increase in crime, failing schools, economic development and job creation, and getting involved in politics to change your community.   

  

What:  Occupy Mount Vernon

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011

Where: The Public Square, (AKA Steps of City Hall)

Why: Because the 1% has made it impossible for the 99% to live in the City of Mount Vernon

Come and be heard…..The world will be watching us……..

This event was organized by community activist Samuel L. Rivers, Mount Vernon Democratic District Leaders, Mount Vernon Conservative District Leaders, Mount Vernon Republican District Leaders, The Black Political Caucus of Westchester, Inc., Citizens against Corruption, and The Dont' Tread on Me Foundation.

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TO SPEARHEAD OCCUPY MOUNT VERNON RALLY

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TO SPEARHEAD OCCUPY MOUNT VERNON RALLY

OCTOBER 17, 2011                                               CONTACT: Samuel L. Rivers (914) 760 8136

MOUNT VERNON, NY Democratic district leader and Community Activist Samuel L. Rivers today announced that he is spearheading an “Occupy Mount Vernon” rally to bring attention to issues affecting City of Mount Vernon taxpayers and the quality of life in the City of Mount Vernon.  

A flier currently making its way through the Mount Vernon community states “We gather to Occupy Mount Vernon because the 1% closed the social security office”.  Rivers said the flier is being circulated to approximately 35,000 City residents.  The City of Mount Vernon needs to know that it was the Democratic led Congress that made $1Billion in cuts to the Social Security budget that resulted in the Social Security office in Mount Vernon closing and offices nationwide now closing at 3:30 P.M., an half an hour earlier than the previous closing time of 4 P.M.

Rivers said during the past 16 years of Democratic Mayoral leadership, that Mount Vernon has seen records levels of corruption, the highest unemployment rate since the great depression, an increase in violent crime including murders, and the cut of programs for our young people.  “The 1% made these cuts”, said Rivers.  “We have a disruptive group of individuals being led by Westchester Democratic Chairman Reggie Lafayette,  former Mayor Ernie Davis and County Legislator Lyndon Williams that are running through Mount Vernon spreading racist rhetoric and outright lies in order to win votes for the November election” Rivers said. “Political grandstanding will be challenged head on and the public will be made immediately aware”, said Rivers. 

“The 1% that has been in power for the past 16 years has caused the destruction of Mount Vernon and has contributed to the decline in the quality of life for the other 99%”, Rivers continued.  “It is time to stop the finger pointing and playing the race card and time for unity across all party lines.  Mount  Vernon cannot afford to continue the culture of corruption that has taken over city government for the past 16 years”.

Hundreds of residents, clergy, and community activists are expected to attend the rally. “This is the first rally of many that is truly intended to unite the City of Mount Vernon.  We want to hear for all races, colors, and creeds, and from every political party in Mount Vernon” Rivers said

What: Occupy Mount Vernon “Unite Mount Vernon” Rally

When: Saturday, October 22^nd, 2011

Time: 9 A.M.

Who:  All Mount Vernon residents are invited

Organizer: Community Activist Samuel L. Rivers / Mount Vernon Democratic District Leaders / Mount Vernon Republican District Leaders / Mount Vernon Conservative District Leaders

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COUNCIL PRESIDENT KAREN WATTS REPSONDS TO LEGISLATOR LYNDON WILLAMS

A sports facility without visitors seating, restrooms or lights anywhere is not a ‘state of the art’ facility!!! The Council does not need a petition to understand this.

Council President Karen Watts

An interesting picture is being painted for the public with the most recent letter written by our County Legislator. Included is an accusation that I in some way have criticized the Legacy Program. I not only support the Legacy Grants, I initiated the use of this very grant for Memorial Field in 2006 with then County Legislator Clinton I. Young!!! 

Legislator Lyndon Williams went all over town in the early part of 2010, telling all who would listen that the Memorial Field project was in danger because the Council had not put the bonds in place. As the majority of the Council was newly elected in 2010, we wanted to review as much as possible to be certain that the tax dollars of our residents were not squandered on unnecessary interest payments or funding projects that were no longer needed. After we met with commissioners and department heads, we put the requests in order of importance and job readiness. Of course Memorial Field was at the top of the list. I do not know why the 2009 City Council failed to request the correct amount of money for the project. This fact that was not revealed until later, as Legislator Lyndon Williams is aware of, since it was he who informed us! 

Quite honestly, from the perspective of the Council, it simply doesn’t matter who or when or what led to the present issue. Our only interest now is to resolve it. We could spend years arguing how this came to be. But at the end of the day, what would that accomplish? The Council does not wish to spend any more time rehashing the past. We would like to move forward and get this field started! As Stated by our Legislator, ‘this is the job of the City Officials.’

After a call from me, the Mayor re-appointed the Capital Projects Board. He did this on February 24^th, 2011.  While we were waiting for this, I, and other members of the Council, spoke with several department heads including the Planning and Recreation Commissioners, to work on changing the current bond requests so that more money could be put towards Memorial Field. We are still waiting for some of these numbers.

I, for one, am of the opinion that what could have, should have or would have happened, ceases to be an issue in light of the work that has to be done now. 

Mount Vernon residents deserve a state of the art facility. As elected officials, we are charged with the responsibility of achieving this goal. This is the aim of the Council.  

Finally, I will once again repeat the last line in my initial letter to our Legislator  - ‘It is my hope that you will assist us by working with us to accelerate the process so that we can get this work done correctly - the first time!’

Respectfully Submitted

Karen Watts, President, Mount Vernon City Council

VOTE 2011: 13TH DISTRICT LEGISLATOR RACE; WILLIAMS -VS-ATKINS

In addition to the hotly contested 2011 Mayoral race in Mount Vernon there is a race for the 13^th district county legislator race that appears to be heating up.  The incumbent, Lyndon Williams, in is his second term.  This time he faces a potential challenge for the Democratic nomination from former First Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, Diane Atkins.  Atkins is also President of the Mount Vernon chapter of the Westchester Black Woman’s Political Caucus.

County Legislator Lyndon Williams

Lyndon Williams, a legislator with ambitious plans is seeking his third term in office.  Lyndon Williams is an attorney and a certified public accountant.  Lyndon Williams has made several campaign promises to City of Mount Vernon voters of which none can seen in the physical form.  One of these promises is the rebuilding of Memorial Field. Legislator Williams has publicly blamed the Comptroller and City Council for intentionally delaying the project.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has learned that the delay of the project is due to incomplete and inadequate architectural drawings.  For example, the visitors section of the stadium did not contain any public restrooms.  

Diane Atkins

Mount Vernon Exposed™® could not find a bio on Ms. Atkins. Many people interviewed by Mount Vernon Exposed™® laughed at the fact that Atkins is considering a run for County Legislator.  “Shouldn’t she be in jail?”  said one district leader who asked to remain anonymous.  The district leader was referring to recent news articles regarding abuse of taxpayer funds and misconduct on the part of Atkins.  In the February 25, 2010 issue of the Westchester Guardian, Diane Atkins was exposed for her excessive criminal abuse of Westchester taxpayer dollars.  It was reported that Atkins repeatedly overrode the findings of persons deemed to be ineligible and made them eligible for social services benefits.  It is unknown how long Atkins ran this scam and unclear how much money Westchester County taxpayers were bilked out of.  Some people interviewed by Mount Vernon Exposed™® put the figure somewhere around $10M.

Taxpayers even allegedly funded $4K for her niece to move to South Carolina.   Friends of the Atkins regime also were allegedly handsomely rewarded via lucrative child care subsidies.  Serapher Conn Halevi, a long time pal of Atkins receives child care subsidies amounting to the tens of thousands of dollars each and every month.  Naomi Halevi, the daughter of Serapher Halevi received section 8 even though she had a house recorded in her name worth approximately $1M.  It is unclear if Atkins approved her section 8 subsidy.  This act of taxpayer fraud was reported in The Journal News.  The Journal News reported that Federal Investigators appeared in Mount Vernon city hall the next day after the story ran to retrieve documents relating to the fraud. 

Serapher Conn Halevi’s other son, Nashon, was hired at Social Services while Atkins was 1^st Deputy Commissioner.  Atkins came under scrutiny when The Journal News reported that Mr. Halevi received $162,000 in private vendor fees from the Department of Social Services for his work as a real estate broker while she was 1^st Deputy Commissioner.  Mr. Halevi received $15,000 while he was employed for the Department of Social Services.  

Atkins retired in 2010 after 41 years of drinking from the public water fountain.  Her pension is estimated to be around $120K per year.  Her lavish retirement party was even attended by Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore.  

Today, Ms. Atkins is employed at Levister Towers as an assistant property manager where she is still in contact with her former employer, the Department of Social Services.  Recently, Ms. Atkins was stopped from entering an employee entrance by Gene Buttinelli at 100 E. First Street in Mount Vernon.  Ms. Buttinelli, an employee, told Ms. Atkins that she would have to use the main entrance just like everyone else.    

 WESTCHESTER COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES SLUSH FUND EXPOSED

Official's Son Got DSS Broker Fees, Some While Working for County