Dear Friends,
On Monday, the United Black Clergy (UBC) held a transformational event in Mount Vernon. The community forum was designed to help voters think differently about choosing the next leader for our great city. With the future of Mount Vernon at stake, the UBC is working to ensure that the next mayor is the most qualified individual for the position. The coalition of faith leaders carefully reviewed the descriptions of mayoral positions in multiple cities across the country and compiled a list of essential qualities. That list guided a lively community conversation, that I attended as a proud Mount Vernon resident and stakeholder. Together, the community decided that the mayor, as the city’s representative must be a role model for its residents, the ultimate reflection of its eminence.
The people have spoken. During the event, with the guidance of the UBC, Mount Vernonites came up with what they believed to be the key characteristics of the effective mayor. Leading by example, the right mayor will restore respect to the City of Mount Vernon. Our next leader must possess honesty, integrity, and a professional background that includes education, proven leadership and managerial skills. That evening, I didn’t speak, I listened. I realized that I’ve spent both my personal life and professional career working towards those ideals. Above all, I pride myself on a sense of character and integrity that along with my faith, have guided me throughout my life.
As a seasoned executive and skilled administrator with more than two decades of experience in public and civil service, my goal has always been effecting positive change on every level. I have been able to cultivate cross-sector collaborations and public-private partnerships throughout my career, which enabled me to transform every organization that I’ve been privileged to serve, from Westchester’s first Drug Treatment Court back in the nineties, which I helped implement and lead as an alternative to incarcerating those struggling with addiction, to restructuring Mount Vernon’s YMCA and saving it from the brink of collapse. Under my leadership, our local YMCA went from a nearly $200,000 deficit to a $100,000 yearly operating surplus.
In 2016, I served as Commissioner of the Mount Vernon Department of Planning and Community Development and Executive Director the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency. In less than one year my team secured $3.2 million in state funding, including $1.2 million for sewers and $500,000 for Memorial Field, for Mount Vernon, brought the Urban Renewal Agency into compliance with HUD by completing five years of delinquent federal performance reports dating back to 2011, reduced the number of open and violated projects dating back to 1999 by 83%and supported the first large-scale rezoning of Mount Vernon in over 40 years. Despite my accomplishments, I left after less than a year on the job, witnessing the city’s dysfunction from disturbingly close range. It helped me recognize the respect I have for Mount Vernon, a city, which five generations of my family have called home. That love, coupled with my profound faith gave me a powerful calling. I decided to be the change I wanted to see in Mount Vernon politics by offering my management skills, passion, integrity and vision to Mount Vernon as the next Mayor of this great city.
On June 3 from 7pm - 9pm, United Black Clergy will host a candidate forum/debate at Grace Baptist Church. Please join us. I plan to engage in a lively discussion of ideas with my opponents and share my plans to transform our city.
I urge all of you to think carefully as you cast your ballot. Don’t simply opt for the popular choice. Pick someone who has the experience and qualifications to lead our city into the future. While I would love for you to choose me, I hope that whomever you select has the vision and values to make Mount Vernon a place we can all be proud of. It’s time to believe in our city again. It’s time to believe in us.
Shawyn Patterson-Howard
#believeagain
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