See takeaways for key races in Westchester, Putnam primary results
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Mount Vernon s Democratic primary Tuesday could reshape city council
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Mount Vernon officials are taking a hard look at installing state oversight of the city s finances, a move some label draconian and others see as the only path to fixing what ails the city.
The City Council on Wednesday debated legislation that would install an emergency financial control board. We cannot leave the fiscal health of the city to question any longer, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard told the council. It is going to take us years to get out of this financial mess and I believe we need external assistance and oversight.
She first broached the idea of a control board in January as city officials assailed a budget process made nearly impossible by Comptroller Deborah Reynolds failure to pay bills, provide financial details and accept state and federal funds due the city.
“Unfortunately, Mount Vernon has not been averse to corruption, fraud, waste, and abuse throughout the years,” Patterson-Howard noted. “The revelations and recordings from Councilwoman Duarte have only amplified my questions into how the Board of Ethics operates and what they choose to investigate.
“In the past, they have done a good job investigating the abuses of the current Comptroller and former Mayor, but we continue to find things that raise concerns that were not pursued.”
Patterson-Howard went on to say that Cannata should be asked to resign immediately and called for a full investigation into the Board of Ethics.
“I believe that Mr. Cannata should be asked to resign immediately from his position as Chair of the Board of Ethics,” she said. “As Mr. Cannata was elected as the chair of the Board of Ethics by his members, I ask that this honorable body launch an investigation into Board of Ethics to see if any member, past or present, on the board has used