As we near the end of another year, it is an appropriate time to reflect upon the moments we all hold near and dear in our hearts and minds. We store our loving memories in a place that has no space or time and yet it always seems to remain with us. Time flows like a gentle running stream without end pasting a stone on the shore. In that realization, the priceless moments we let go unnoticed come back to us. As human beings, we must learn to cherish each day, love every moment, and enjoy this ride called life. Too much of our lives is spent arguing over who’s wrong or right instead of focusing on solutions that makes it possible to create great achievement. I was taught to never miss out

For more than a decade, Mount Vernon residents have been held hostage to a political battle that has impacted our children and our quality of life. Like all of you, I’ve watched this political theater filled with successive politicians tearing down one another to get a leg up on the “Memorial Field” express. Finishing this field has become the Holy Grail of mayoral politics in Mount Vernon. Through the years, the battle between Mount Vernon’s mayors and other elected officials to be the person who “completes” Memorial Field has been long, embarrassing, and costly. Moreover, the political squabbling and games being played with the project has created a blemish on the city that has deprived i

I wanted to give you some great news about the renovation of Memorial Field and the City Council’s lawsuit against Mayor Thomas. The project is now moving forward and dirt is going to start flying! A lot of time and effort has gone into working with the Court to keep this project on track, and it’s about to pay off. The City Council’s lawyers met with the judge today and there were some key developments I want to share with you: 1) The temporary restraining order (TRO) remains in place. The TRO alone has saved the City of Mount Vernon over $500,000 by avoiding potential fines from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) due to the Mayor’s inability to complete the r

I’ve received a number of questions in the past few days and wanted to provide you with an update on what has happened with regard to the Water Department. If you’re a regular reader of this column you’ll know the story, but if not, I will summarize it briefly here. Mount Vernon’s residents were shocked to see dramatic increases in their recent water bills, some having doubled or tripled for the same water usage. As a City Councilman I was just as shocked as many of you, knowing that the City Council is responsible for setting Mount Vernon’s water rates, and we haven’t changed those rates in three years. So, how did this happen? Someone in the Water Department or the Mayor’s administration

Isaac Newton, the father of physics, taught us an important lesson about life when he said that “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” We all have the power to help our young men see further, and you don’t have to be a giant to do it. We live in a world of endless possibilities, more connected and less remote than ever before. So, why are so many of our children feeling trapped, isolated, and alone? Why are our children’s visions not extending beyond a three-block radius around their homes? What does it say about us when many of our children define success as just simply surviving? It’s saying that we’ve let them down. Our young men are in a crisis without