Yonkers Insider: Election 2021 Desk: Candidate for City of Mount Vernon Comptroller - Derickson Lawrence.

 

I’ve Had Enough! Have You?   I have an important favor to ask: I am about to ask you to make a contribution to my campaign for Mount Vernon City Comptroller. I know this is a difficult time for many of us. So let me explain how this contribution can make a meaningful difference in the future of our beloved City of Mount Vernon. Just like you, I’ve seen the finger pointing. How much longer can this gridlock continue?   https://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/02/07/could-mount-vernon-face-state-intervention-bankruptcy/2804002002/   The above link is an article that I authored in early 2019 that still captures Mount Vernon’s crisis today. The City of Mount Vernon has been facing increasing debt, a late budget and political paralysis. The sad reality is that I published this article some 23 months ago. Some of the players in City Hall have changed, but the dysfunction, gridlock and divided government remain the same. Further, the Mount Vernon City School District just announced that its bond ratings was downgraded (January 5, 2021) by Moody’s. It cited claims that the City of Mount Vernon (Comptroller’s Office) collected property taxes of $30 million on its behalf, yet to date School District has only received $14 million. Therefore, it’s running a deficit of $16 million.   This pattern is an image of a city going backwards. And my grave concern is that we are now sitting on the brink of a fiscal cliff.   Fortunately, on November 3, 2020, voters overwhelmingly (by more than 94%) supported two ballot propositions: fiscal accountably (i.e., policy that governs required annual independent audits) financial transparency (i.e., policy that governs quarterly financials) to be adopted in the City’s Charter. Those two mandates are key to begin moving forward in the process of the reinstatement of the City’s Moody’s ratings, as stated in my article. And, I am proud to have led the group of Mount Vernon citizens -- as chairman of the City of Mount Vernon Charter Revision Commission -- that delivered on those important mandates (i.e. documented policies) that has the potential of improving the City’s fiscal condition.   Now, I have been asked by many to finish the job. So I am asking for your support to seek the Democratic Party’s designation to run for Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon. With an MBA in finance, and as a former auditor for KPMG (one of the largest accounting firms in the country), I know the value of internal controls. In addition, my in-depth experience with  corporate governance and corporate finance will help in providing structure and compliance metrics to meet Moody’s and NY State’s financial compliance requirements. This is key to ensuring accountability and transparency to the City Council, the Mayor, and Mount Vernon residents.     Tired Are you tired of the gridlock, divided government, and chaos in Board of Estimates and Control meetings, knowing potholes are not getting filled? Frustrated Are you frustrated by the comptroller’s payment delays, and disputes with Mount Vernon City School District (MVCSD)? Saddened Are you saddened by the City’s inability to borrow to fund growth and improvements? If you are tired, frustrated, and saddened, share this email with your neighbors & join us.   DONATE to Supporters of Derickson Lawrence Campaign. $20, $50, $100, $500 or whatever dollar amount you can. Your support will ensure a foundation for a decisive and competitive campaign for a new comptroller to bring: URGENCY, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and RESPONSIBILITY to the job. Sincerely,

Derickson Lawrence for CMV Comptroller