Issues Mount Vernon Faces
Mount Vernon is a city filled with potential, but achieving progress requires bold ideas, strong leadership, and a commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to our residents. From improving public safety and enhancing our schools to fostering economic growth and ensuring government accountability, we have real challenges to tackle—and real opportunities to create positive change. On this page, you’ll find detailed information about the key issues I’m focusing on and my plans to build a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Mount Vernon. Together, we can create a city that works for everyone. Let’s make Mount Vernon all it can be!
Public Safety: Prioritizing Experience, Manpower, and Community Trust
Public safety is the cornerstone of any thriving community, yet Mount Vernon faces significant challenges that threaten both residents and the dedicated officers sworn to protect them. Our police department, budgeted for 208 officers, currently operates with only 161. This severe manpower shortage leads to inadequate staffing and insufficient supervision, putting public safety at risk and creating dangerous working conditions for our officers.
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Economic Development: Revitalizing Mount Vernon’s Potential
Mount Vernon has untapped potential to become a thriving hub for businesses and commerce, yet we lag behind neighboring municipalities in generating sales tax revenue. This missed opportunity stems from a lack of investment in our business infrastructure, public safety, and community partnerships. To unlock this vital revenue stream, we must focus on supporting local businesses, attracting new investments, and revitalizing key areas of our city. Read More
Infrastructure and Environmental Responsibility: Building a Resilient Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon’s aging infrastructure and environmental challenges have reached a critical point, impacting the quality of life for residents across the city. From outdated sewer systems and recurring flooding to illegal pollution and crumbling public buildings, our city’s infrastructure demands immediate attention. We must act now to modernize, protect, and future-proof Mount Vernon for generations to come. Read More
Addressing Homelessness and Mental Health: A Crisis Mount Vernon Can No Longer Ignore
Mount Vernon is facing a growing crisis of homelessness and mental health challenges that demands urgent action. For years, state and county politicians have used our city as a placement center for individuals experiencing homelessness, recovering from addiction, or suffering from mental health issues. While compassion for those in need is essential, this influx has overwhelmed Mount Vernon’s limited resources and placed an undue burden on our community. The failure of current city leadership to address these challenges has left us ill-equipped to provide the services necessary for both the vulnerable populations and the residents of our city. Read More
Fighting Back Against Unsustainable Property Tax Increases
Mount Vernon’s residents are being crushed under the weight of ever-increasing property taxes. Year after year, the city has relied on raising taxes as the go-to solution for its financial challenges, often exceeding the state property tax cap. This approach unfairly burdens hardworking homeowners and renters, forcing them to pay for the city’s inefficiencies, mismanagement, and poor leadership. Read More