MOUNT VERNON NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER CEO CAROLE MORRIS UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION; THE HORTON HAMILY JUMPS SHIP

When one thinks of the City of Mount Vernon an image of a desolate, lawless wasteland often comes to mind.  The government is corrupt as the day is long.  Politicians have embraced a culture of corruption.  Political prostitution is the major economic stimulus.  For Mayor Young and his unscrupulous cast of characters, sitting around watching Godfather movies and then acting out the scenes in real life is a favorite pastime.  

When it comes to politics in Mount Vernon only the most corrupt individuals are embraced and endorsed by the so-called machine, The Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee.  This year’s election will be no different.  The Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee has no platform.  The high taxes in Mount Vernon can be directly attributed the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee, for they are the ones that support such rogue candidates.  

STEVEN HORTON

Mayor Young and the leaders of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee continue to preach a message of unity and togetherness.  How can there be unity when you have asswipes such as Ronald Detres and Kenneth Plummer leading the pack?  Ronald Detres divides the community with his conquer and divide Hitler mentality and Kenneth Plummer is a political whore who gets in bed with whomever has the power at the time.  

This year’s political climate is filled with many twists and turns.  The backstabbing and deal making has begun.  While all bets are on Mayor Young to lose his re-election, some of his closest allies are breaking away from his corrupt regime and are starting to form their own alliances.  

Councilman Steve Horton is up for re-election this year.  Councilman Horton is under federal investigation for violating the Hatch Act of 1939.  In fact, Councilman Horton has repeated violated federal law.  The federal investigation is ongoing with regards to Councilman Horton’s Hatch Act violation.

 Councilman Horton may also face criminal charges for mismanagement of funds of the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority where he serves as its Executive Director.  $1M cannot be accounted for that was doled out in no-bid contracts, quite possibly to political cronies.

So what is Councilman Horton to do?  Sources have confirmed with Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Councilman Horton is going to retire in just a few months.  Councilman Horton is backing Councilman Yuhanna Edwards for Mayor.  A deal has already been made that Councilman Horton will be the Chief of Staff if Councilman Yuhanna Edwards is elected Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon.  

TERRENCE HORTON

The Horton family is no stranger to backstabbing and jumping off the ship when they see it sinking.  The Horton’s stabbed Mayor Ernie Davis in the back when they saw difficulty with him winning re-election.  Much of DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton’s success can be directly attributed to Mayor Davis.  The Horton family has no honor and no loyalty.  

Mayor Young only promised Terrence Horton the position of DPW Commissioner because he wanted to have an ally on the City Council.  Now it is 2011, and the Horton family tradition of backstabbing is again alive and well.  

On March 23, 2011, Mayor Young was out of town in Florida attending the annual Mount Vernon Day ceremonies.  Being the snake that he is, Commissioner Horton didn’t waste any time showing his true colors.  Commissioner Horton invited Councilman Yuhanna Edwards to the DPW Yard during morning roll call.  DPW workers told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Commissioner Horton was walking around introducing Councilman Edwards as the next Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon.  “I am wholeheartedly supporting Councilman Edwards for Mayor and it is in your best interest to do the same” said Horton according to the source.  

It will not be a simple task for Mayor Young to keep a handle on Commissioner Horton.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mayor Young and Commissioner Horton are allegedly intimately involved with one another.  A lover’s quarrel could erupt at any given moment.  Disaster is eminent.

Mayor Young’s troubles don’t end there.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed that Mayor Young is being shot down left and right by community leaders whom he has asked for support.  So Mayor Young is left to resort to unscrupulous individuals for support.

Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that Mayor Young has hired Carol Morris, CEO and founder of the Mount Vernon Health Center as his campaign manager.  Ms. Morris was recently campaign manager for Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow during his re-election bid last year.  

CAROLE MORRIS

Mount Vernon Exposed™® has recently learned that Carol Morris is under federal investigation for violating the Hatch Act 0f 1939.  Sources have told Mount Vernon Exposed™® that a complaint was filed against Carol Morris and others that are affiliated with Carol Morris for violating the Hatch Act of 1939.  

Certain private non-profits are covered under the federal Hatch Act statute, specifically non-profits that are head start programs, those that receive community service block grants, federal grants, and other federal funding.  The Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and its subsidiaries receive substantial federal funding.  

Covered Hatch Act employees may not use official authority or influence to interfere with an election.  Carol Morris appeared on a mailer for Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow under her official title as the CEO of the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, urging Mount Vernon voters to re-elect Assemblyman Pretlow to another term.  Kenneth Plummer, of Kensworth Consulting was paid thousands of dollars by Assemblyman Pretlow to design, print, and mail the flyer that appeared the day before the Democratic primary.  

Ms. Morris’ troubles do not end there.  She also stands accused of soliciting the uncompensated volunteer services of her subordinates at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center.  She is also accused of the same hanky panky at her satellite site in Yonkers and Greenburgh.  Such actions committed by Carol Morris are in direct violation of federal law.  Her illegal actions could result in federal funding being yanked away from the struggling heath center.  Ms. Morris’ irresponsible behavior could lead to taxpayers bailing out the health center if they lose federal funding.

According to sources, Ms. Morris has getting away with these illegal acts for years.  She has reportedly threatened her subordinates with demotions and job terminations if they didn’t work on political campaigns.  Victory for the candidates supported by Carol Morris means more money for her health center which ultimately means more money in her pocket.  This year will be no different.  

If you are a worker at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and you are a victim of Carol Morris, Mount Vernon Exposed™® wants to speak with you.  All information will be kept confidential.  E-mail us: newsdesk@mountvernon2day.com

VOTE 2011: MAYORAL CANDIDATES PROFILES; YOU RIGHT TO KNOW

In September voters will go to the polls to either select a new Mayor to move Mount Vernon forward or return Mayor Clinton I Young Jr. to office for another 4 years.  This year’s race will be like no other.  There is a large field of candidates for voters to choose from and re-election for Mayor Young may not be an easy task.

During the last Mayoral election, Mayor Young rode the corruption bandwagon and preached a message that “It is time for a change.”  Almost 4 years later, Mayor Young’s administration is riddled with corruption and the City of Mount Vernon is in financial ruin.  Property taxes are way up while responsiveness from City Hall is at an all time low.   This year’s Mayoral campaign will become very negative at times.  Voters should expect very aggressive mudslinging.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® is your guide to transparency and making the right choice at the polls this September.  Mount Vernon Exposed™® has profiled each candidate that we know of seeking the Office of Mayor.

Here they are:

Mayor Clinton Young Jr. – Mayor Young had a chance to really move Mount Vernon forward for the good of the citizens of Mount Vernon.  From the onset, Mayor Young’s administration has been mired with controversy and corruption.  Whether it is the $95K job he appointed his sister Mary to, DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton and his blatant acts of corruption, or the no show $100K+ Inspector General taxpayers are footing the bill for,  Mayor Young just does not use good judgment.  Corruption further takes a toll on this administration when it was recently revealed that Mayor Young has a personal bag man, Antoine Lowe doing the bidding of Mayor Young by means of extortion and violence. Mayor Young has appointed several unqualified persons to positions in City Hall and has even assisted in the steering of no-bid contracts to his friends and campaign contributors.  John Boykin, the infamous Special Assistant to Mayor Young, has cast a black cloud on the re-election of Mayor Young.  Mayor Young once praised Boykin as the “Braintrust” of his administration.

Comptroller Maureen Walker- Many view Comptroller Walker as the favorite to win the Mayor’s race in 2011.  She is expected to cruise to victory.  Ms. Walker is respected throughout the City of Mount Vernon, especially the business community.  During her past 17 years as Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, taxpayers always had an independent voice that always put the best interests of the taxpayers first.  Ms. Walker was not swayed or corrupted by party politics.  Ms. Walker’s expertise and integrity in the City’s finances is an asset to the taxpayers, as she will not have to learn the job, on the job.   City of Mount Vernon taxpayers have enjoyed 10+ years of budget surpluses which have resulted in minimal property tax increases.  In these tough economic times, taxpayers are no longer afforded the luxury of budget surpluses.  Ms. Walkers’ financial expertise is needed to move the City of Mount Vernon forward.

Councilman Yuhanna Edwards- Councilman Edwards is said to be testing the waters and is supposedly eyeing a run at being the next Mayor of The City of Mount Vernon.  Councilman Edwards started the Mount Vernon Razorbacks over thirty years ago.  While Mr. Edwards has an extensive record of community service, many voters feel that he is just not ready to lead the City of Mount Vernon at this time.

Councilman Steve Horton- The Horton family has been drinking from the public water fountain for over two decades. Councilman Horton and his brother, DPW Commissioner Terrence Horton has had several brushes with the law.  It is alleged that Councilman Horton was arrested for obstructing justice while Mount Vernon Police Officers were arresting his brother Terrence for allegedly running down the street naked while on drugs.  These events happened in 1992.  It is unclear if Steve Horton will quit his job as Executive Director of The New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.  A complaint was filed against Steve Horton with the United Office of Special Counsel about Steve Horton’s hatch act violation.  Councilman Horton, according to voter interviewed by Mount Vernon Exposed™® doesn’t stand a chance because of his younger brother Terrence Horton’s reputation of being “hopelessly corrupt”.

Frank Fraley- Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce President Frank Fraley is reportedly considering a run for Mayor.  Fraley was Chief of Staff under Mayor Ernie Davis and recently Vice President of Mount Vernon hospital.  It was revealed recently that Fraley is a convicted federal felon.  Fraley was convicted of a felony in 1994 after he plead guilty of trying to defraud the I.R.S. out of $200,000 by filing phony tax returns.  Although this happened almost twenty years ago, many voters told Mount Vernon Exposed that they are reluctant to vote for a convicted felon.  While many including President Obama, believe in giving someone a second chance for their past mistakes, some are not buying into this theory.  Fraley’s co-defendant in the I.R.S. fraud case Douglas Shyne, was arrested again and convicted in 2009 for being the ringleader of a massive $8M fraudulent check ring.  The scam involved high profile Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones who was also sentenced to federal prison in the scheme.  Shyne was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison.  Douglas Shyne’s relapse into the life of crime was almost 20 years later after his arrest with Fraley.  Some feel having Fraley in charge of a $90M budget is just a risk they are not willing to take at this time. (see arrest docket below)

Peter Sherrill- Mr. Sherrill was the first of all the candidates to publicly announce his intentions of running for office.  Sherrill is the former Director of Civil Defense for The City of Mount Vernon.  Mr. Sherrill is the author of several books, of which one “Black to the Future” was inducted into the Schomburg Museum Library.  Citizens view Mr. Sherrill as a nice, likeable guy, but voters that spoke to Mount Vernon Exposed™® expressed concerns that Mr. Sherrill just doesn’t have the experience to lead The City of Mount Vernon.



Frank Fraley Arrest Docket