Mayor Clinton Young said Mount Vernon is doing its part to help Gov. David Paterson reach his goals on clean energy and fiscal responsibility in New York State. Here’s more reaction from the Mount Vernon mayor on Paterson’s State of the State Address.

DATE: JANUARY 8, 2009

Mount Vernon, NY — “Yesterday, I sat in the State Assembly Chambers for Governor David A. Paterson’s first State of the State Message and I believe that New York is going to work through these difficult times and emerge stronger than ever. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you just a few reasons why I believe our state is going to make it and why the City of Mount Vernon is going to play a major part in rejuvenating the state of our state.

Fiscal Responsibility

One of the first topics that Governor Paterson spoke about is the need for greater fiscal responsibility on the state and local levels. It is paramount that at every level of government we look at what it costs to operate the services we provide. Mount Vernon is leading by example, as I am proud to say this year we have one of the lowest tax increases of all municipalities in Westchester County. In addition, the State has pledged to tightened their belts and also help us use our resources in a more efficient way.

A Dedication to a New Clean Energy Economy

Whether we like it or not change is upon us in the area of energy, both in how much it costs and in how the production of that energy harms our environment. Governor Paterson has stated that New York can emerge as the center of a new clean energy economy, and let me say that Mount Vernon is ready to be a driving force toward that goal. We have already begun our Mount Vernon Green Initiatives and are poised to expand their scope. Planning has already begun to make many of our buildings more energy efficient, integrate alternate fuel vehicles (including plug-in hybrid-electric), and serve as a hub for companies that manufacture, distribute, and install green and alternative energy products.

Healthcare & Healthy Children

During strenuous times in our lives sometimes we allow our health to take a back seat. Perhaps that is because many of us know that we have healthcare coverage and that if the day comes when we do get sick, we’ll be taken care of. However, hundreds of thousands of other New Yorkers are living without health insurance, but that will soon change as Governor Paterson has set his sights on a plan to make sure that every child living in this state has quality health coverage. He has also outlined a plan to allow you to cover relatives between the age of 19-29 under your own health plan. I know that these plans will make a huge impact on the people of Mount Vernon.

In addition, Governor Paterson has spotlighted a continuing problem of childhood obesity that is plaguing one of four people under the age of 18. The problem goes well beyond just obesity, as the governor noted that “childhood obesity causes serious health problems including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.” In response to this troubling fact, Governor Paterson is launching a comprehensive strategy including a program called Healthy Food/Healthy Communities that will offer “a new revolving loan fund that will increase the number of healthy food markets in underserved communities.” In addition, the governor’s wife Michelle Paterson will be traveling around the state to encourage children to eat right and exercise. I encourage the parents in Mount Vernon to get started now so that by the time Mrs. Paterson makes her way down here, our children will be shining examples of this initiative. As the governor stated, “by protecting our children from obesity, we protect their health and our health care system.”

In summation, Governor Paterson’s message, above all, is that together as leaders in our communities we can all help lift our state up from beneath the unsettled dust cloud of the past year. It is a message of hope, a message that the time for action is now. We all need to heed that call. Myself and my administration will be working in true cooperation with our governor and Mount Vernon legislative delegation to bring positive change to our great city and to help the State of New York return to glory.”