That decision follows the ouster of four other candidates — Collie Edwers, Debra Stern, Eileen Justino and Jennifer “Anne” Sampson — from the Democratic ballot for City Council. The four had been nominated by the Democratic City Committee to run for City Council, but were kicked off because they didn’t note that one of them was running for a shorter, unexpired term.

Candidates Yuhanna Edwards, Roberta Apuzzo, Karen Watts and Diane Munro were not dropped from the ballot because one of those candidates, Munro, indicated she was running for the unexpired term on their petition. So in the end, they are the only candidates left standing on the Democratic ballot for City Council.

Rivers will appear on the Conservative and Independence lines, and Walker on the Independence line. Edwers, Stern, Justino and Sampson will run on a newly formed line called One Mt. Vernon.

Democratic primaries will still take place for city domptroller and city judge.

Griffith, who is running for City Comptroller, held a press conference today calling for Rivers to step down. He also said Maureen Walker, his opponent in the Democratic primary for comptroller, should “disassociate herself from the candidacy of Samuel L. Rivers.” Griffith said Walker and Rivers had shared a nominating petition.

Here is Griffith’s statement: “It is an embarrassment to the people of the city of Mount Vernon that someone with a lengthy record of contact with law enforcement is on the ballot for the upcoming primary election for city council candidates. It is time for Sam Rivers to withdraw his candidacy for the city council. In addition, in the interest of the safety of all law-abiding citizens, I ask the Westchester Department of Public Safety to permanently revoke any license that Rivers has to own or carry a handgun. Furthermore, I call on Maureen Walker to disassociate herself from Sam Rivers. Ms. Walker clearly enjoyed the benefit of these signature totals in her effort to qualify to appear on the ballot for the primary election and while she was not at all implicated in any of Rivers’ criminal behavior, her association with Rivers further erodes the already tarnished reputation of the Mount Vernon Comptroller’s Office.”

They made this mistake even though the county’s Democratic election commissioner serves as vice-chair of  that very committee. Commissioner Reginald LaFayette then later had to issue a ruling against his own committee because it was clear that the petition violated election law.

Asked about the situation, LaFayette said no one asked him for help. Other Democratic leaders passed the buck. They said some district leaders knew about the mistake, but never bothered to mention it to party bosses. Was the information withheld because of an oversight, or because of malice? Committee Chairman Deveraux Cannick wouldn’t say.

The petition failed to note one of the candidates was running for a shorter, unexpired term. Other less organized political factions got it right. As a result, the county Board of Elections dropped Jennifer “Anne” Sampson, Debra Stern, Eileen Justino and Collie Nathan Edwers from the ballot. Yesterday, a state Supreme Court judge upheld that decision.

The mistake that could have been avoided if someone spoke up or asked for help. Now, the Democratic Committee has no candidates for city council on the primary ballot. On top of that, the debacle may have paved the way for rivals and political foes of the Democratic establishment and Mayor Clinton Young to win office.

You’d think heads would roll because of this mess. But so far, I haven’t heard about any party shakeup. Have you?

Under New York State law, contributions from non-family members are capped, based on the number of registered voters in one’s political party, at about $1,300. For family, the cap is around $6,500. A corporation can give up to $5,000 in a calendar year.

Rivers said he didn’t have the information in front of him when he drafted the invitation from his iPhone. “If I can’t seek $10,000, I won’t seek $10,000,” he said. “It was a mistake.”

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Mount Vernon, NY — Unfortunately the Westchester County Board of Elections determined that our candidates should not be on the ballot based on a technicality regarding which candidates should be running for the unexpired term for the city council seat that was vacated by councilwoman Loretta Hottinger even though councilwoman Eileen Justino is the candidate on the Democratic Party petition to replace her.

The Mount Vernon Democratic Party has been and will continue to be the champions for democracy. We believe that the almost three thousand registered democratic Mount Vernon residents that signed our petitions to get these candidates on the ballot as well as the more that one hundred unpaid volunteers who tirelessly worked on behalf of the Democratic candidates have a constitutional right to vote for these candidates.

There are four seats up for the city council and the democratic voters have signed petitions for these four candidates and we will not allow Mount Vernon residents to be denied their voting rights on a technicality.  We will use all the resources of the Mount Vernon Democratic Party to make sure that our voters are not disenfranchised. We are confident that justice will prevail; our candidates will be restored to the ballot and that Mount Vernon voters will have the opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice.

All voters of Mount Vernon, Westchester and indeed New York should be appalled that a technicality would attempt to be used to deny voters the candidates of their choice. Last year these same unpaid volunteers worked tirelessly to bring out over 23,000 votes in the national election for Obama, whom we know would not agree with depriving people the right to vote for the candidates of their choice.

The Westchester County Board of Elections ruled that the party violated election law because it failed to specify that one of the candidates was running for an unexpired term, so it appears on the petition as though all four are running for full terms. There are only three full-term seats open on the council, so that’s considered an over designation.

To read the ruling from the Board of Elections commissioners, click here: mvruling

Here are the total amounts that city candidates claimed to have in their campaign coffers, after expenses, as of July 11:

• Maureen Walker, seeking re-election as comptroller, had a whopping $110,255, most of it raised in previous years during annual fund-raising dinner dances. See story here.

• Helen Blackwood, running for judge, had $8,944.

• Debra Stern, running for council, had $2,152.

• Eileen Justino, running for council, had $3,005.

• Collie Nathan Edwers, running for council, had $1,722.

• Roberta Apuzzo, running for council, had $5,285.

• Yuhanna Edwards, who is seeking re-election to the City Council, said he was late in filing with the state. He faxed a copy of financial reports that he submitted to the county last week showing he had $3,443.

Other Mount Vernon candidates either did not have to file financial reports, or reported no financial activity during the period in question. A database of financial reports can be found here.

DiFiore issued this statement today: “Mr. Rivers seriously misjudges the integrity and intelligence of the people in the city of Mt. Vernon. My positions are well-known to serious and informed voters. I am a recognized leader in advocating for reform of the drug laws and I am not a proponent of the death penalty. Of greater concern to all should be the fact that Sam Zherka walked Tony Castro into the Board of Elections to file Castro’s petitions for District Attorney, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county. Anyone who wants to be District Attorney should have better sense then to be led around by a strip club owner who is under investigation and Sam Rivers, a criminal defendant in this county.”

Legal challenges to petitions are expected tomorrow. Democratic candidates need a minimum of 1,323 valid signatures from registered Democrats who live in the city to run in primary. City judge, city comptroller and four council seats are at stake.

In a press release, Rivers said the Mount Vernon Democratic party was “in trouble” and warned of a party coup. “I intend to re-organize the Mt Vernon Democratic Committee, and possibly organize a coup and take it over,” he wrote.

Rivers repeated his contention that the city’s Democratic committee was wrong in endorsing former Republican Janet DiFiore for county district attorney. Rivers is aligned with Tony Castro, who is challenging DiFiore for the seat.

Stay tuned for more campaign news.

Mount Vernon chief of staff, Yolanda Robinson, did not return calls today about the matter.

Boykin was suspended amid controversy, after he was accused of making tape-recorded threats against Samuel Rivers, a critic of the mayor. Young had suspended Boykin without pay, saying he would review the matter. Rivers filed a federal lawsuit against Boykin, Mayor Clinton Young, city Democratic Party Chairman Devereaux Cannick and the city of Mount Vernon over the alleged threats, but withdrew the lawsuit in April.

Currently, the City of Mount Vernon does not have an operations center for managing emergency situations. In these scenarios, the city can use the Mount Vernon Police Department’s Field Command Center vehicle, but officials said this can hamper police operations and the ability to respond to incidents.

The federal funds for the center were secured by U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in the appropriations bill. The bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and will be sent to the full Senate for a vote.

In the report, Stokes says that Walker obstructed a City Council investigation, gave misleading information, and had discrepancies in financial statements, among other allegations. The report can be found here: Inspector General’s Report

Walker has denied the allegations in the report. Here is a letter she wrote to Mayor Clinton Young yesterday following the release of the report.

To: Clinton I Young, Mayor

From: Maureen Walker, CPA, Comptroller

I am once again writing you to set up a meeting to discuss the role of the Inspector General in the City of Mount Vernon. This is my second request. Please refer to my letter of November 10, 2008 (attached). This request is as a result of a document released by the Inspector General dated January 12, 2009 entitled “Investigation of Allegations of Abuse.”

It appears the Inspector General was appointed by the mayor with specific instructions to “attack” the City Comptroller. After a short time on the job, he initiated an “OIG Report of PILOTS” which was done solely on my testimony at a City Council hearing. The “audit” was done without any “first hand” investigation and contained numerous untruths and inaccuracies. The conclusion arrived at in that report was not supported by facts but represented the political views of the Inspector General.

The recently released report dated January 13, 2009 is riddled with inaccuracies, untruths, unfounded allegations and is basically a political document that appears to be the work of a desperate individual who is preparing to wage a run for public office against a political opponent.

As an example of these unfounded allegations, the Inspector General reported that the Comptroller knowingly supplied an inaccurate Supplemental 2007 Financial Statement to the State. The Comptroller supplies the state with an audited IDA financial report each year. This report is prepared by an IDA contracted CPA firm using financial information provided by the Comptroller. The Comptroller does not prepare or provide the state with Supplemental Schedules as alleged by the Inspector General.

The Inspector General who is being paid by the taxpayers of Mount Vernon does not appear to be performing any duties and/or functions associated with his office. The numerous situations in Mount Vernon City Government that warrant his attention are being ignored while he engages in a cheap political witch hunt that apparently targets one individual in City Hall: the City Comptroller. The Inspector General has compromised his office and his integrity to the point that I am of the firm belief that he is incapable of performing the duties and functions for which he was appointed.

As the independent chief financial officer of the City of Mount Vernon, I can understand the objective in using the Inspector General to go after the ONLY elected official in City government who acts as a means of “checks and balances” on behalf of the residents of our City.”

As I continue to examine the Inspector General’s report, I will be responding in detail to each and every one of his politically motivated and unfounded allegations.

On Friday, January 9th, 2009, Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. declared a day of remembrance in the City of Mount Vernon to pay homage to the life and legacy of civil rights leader and Westchester County Press Publisher M. Paul Redd, who passed away early this morning at Greenwich Hospital.

“Today Westchester has lost a giant who literally changed the consciousness of our county,” said Mayor Young. “M. Paul Redd was a true hero and inspired many of us to pursue a career in public service. Throughout his life Paul was a forthright opponent of racism and bigotry. He embodied strength and wisdom during his tenure as President of the Black Democrats of Westchester.

Paul was also one of prolific columnists in the Hudson Valley. His column entitled “M. Paul Tells All” was bold and hard-hitting. His fervent sincerity on injustice and fairness in the political realm was unparalleled. He never beat around the bush. You always knew where Paul stood on the issues. His legacy reminds us all to remain vigilant against hate and injustice – more importantly to help and teach others to achieve the American Dream. He will sorely be missed, and certainly never forgotten.”

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.”

In a story about raises for governmental appointees that ran Sunday, chief of staff Yolanda Robinson said raises for the department were negotiated in the former administration and took effect in 2008. But Davis said he didn’t approve the raises and wouldn’t have supported anything other than equal raises for his staff across all departments.

Robinson stood by her comments and faxed a copy of a letter to back her claim. In the Dec. 18, 2007 letter, a member of the legal team asked Davis for raises based on the employees’ long hours and hard work, and the salary of their counterparts in the county. The letter shows that conversation took place under Davis, but isn’t proof that raises were settled under the former mayor. The City Council approved the raises in January, but it’s still unclear which mayor put the legislation on the table.

Dowery Rodriquez was first appointed as an associate judge of Mount Vernon City Court in 1986. After that, she won two 10-year terms as senior judge.

The judge is one year shy of completing her second 10-year term and Mayor Clinton Young will appoint her replacement. City Council President Loretta Hottinger said today she is interested in the seat. Corporation Counsel Helen Blackwood has also been talked about as a possible successor, but hasn’t confirmed.

This week, Young said he made a “rookie mistake” releasing a budget that he said was not a finished product. He added, “I won’t do that again.” From the get-go, Young said the budget was a working document and that he didn’t intend to have a tax increase that high.

The budget has since been revised and calls for a 5.71 percent tax increase and $86.4 million in spending. There are no planned layoffs, although funding for two vacant positions was cut. The budget was approved by the Board of Estimate and Contract Monday and now goes before the City Council. The council can further cut the budget, but can’t add to it. See the full story about the revised budget here.

Here’s the full statement:

“Heading into tonight’s Board of Estimate & Contract Public Hearing on the 2009 Proposed Budget, I want to send a clear message for the coming year, “Restore, Restructure, Rebuild.”

There is no denying that our country is experiencing difficult economic times. Our city has bore a fair share of that burden, having seen record-high foreclosures, tumbling property values, and increased unemployment.

When I gave my first State of the City Address, I promised that I would not sugar-coat and run from any of the issues facing this city. I could never say that everything is great, when you and I both know that it is not. When I took office in January, I inherited a city whose infrastructure was crumbling beneath our feet: our buildings had been in desperate need of repair, our garbage trucks had been rotting away for years, and our firehouses had been declared unsafe to be inhabited. Now is the time to draw a line in the sand. Now is the time to reinvest into our city’s future and restore the basic services this city needs to provide.

The initial proposed budget is a working document and calls for a 13.17 percent increase. You, as residents, should know that I do not support this budget in its current form. This number must go down significantly before the budget is passed in its final form. I have met with every single commissioner and department head to cut spending in their departments. I am going to do my best to make sure no one loses their job, but necessary personnel cuts may have to be made. In addition, further evaluation of the revenue side of this budget is going to be required. Concrete justifications are going to have to be given where reductions in revenue have been projected.

Two items that have the most detrimental effect on the 2009 Budget are contractual raises for personnel and the decreased valuation of property in the city, a phenomenon not exclusive to Mount Vernon. Prior negotiated union contracts call for across-the-board salary increases amounting to an overall impact of $3.7 million. On the revenue side of the budget, city property valuations have decreased by $3.5 million.

Please know that these are not excuses to increase your taxes; they are realities of the situation our city has been driven into. I cannot emphasize enough that this is the first budget that is going to put our city back on the right track.

I want you to know that during this year, I have instituted internal controls, a system that has, so far, reduced spending by $1.5 million outside of salaries, wages, and benefits compared to the 2008 Adopted Budget. We foresaw much of this, and as we prepare the 2009 Budget we fully understand what we will face in preparation for the 2010 Budget.

In addition to the traditional infrastructure maintenance issues we are faced with, my administration has found our city is so far behind in the use of technology. The lack of new technology has not only made providing services more difficult, but it has made it more costly. It is imperative to bring our government into the 21st century, so that we can provide services more efficiently. We will also be able to generate more revenue for the city through online bill payments, payment of parking tickets, building department permit fees, etc.

The vision of Mount Vernon that I know many of us share is one greater than the one we have right now. We are all faced with challenges, but my promise to you is that you will see our city do better by this time next year, and in the years to come. Mount Vernon will be the comeback story that emerges from these difficult times in our country’s history.”

The hospital will highlight programs that if offers, including semi-monthly, free mammograms for uninsured women. The hospital also sponsors the “Look Good…Feel Better” program which helps improve the self-image, appearance, and quality of life of people undergoing cancer treatment.

The press conference, held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, starts at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square. For information about the hospital’s breast cancer programs, call (914) 361-6195.

Mount Vernon “town leader” for the coalition, Stephanie Vasquez, said volunteers will report to the Scranton campaign office and then fan out in different neighborhoods. There, they will talk to people about Obama’s campaign and poll them on their opinions about Obama and the issues.

There are still bus seats available on both dates for those who want to volunteer. The fare is $45. The buses leave Mount Vernon at 6:30 and will stop to pick up passengers at 7:30 in Chappaqua. Participants must arrive a half-hour early. To sign up or for more information, call Stephanie Vasquez at 413-1787.

Doors open for the debate watch party at 8 p.m. and the debate starts at 9. The event is open to the public.

The Democratic City Committee has hosted a number of events to rally support for Obama including voter registration drives, a “Tri-state Rally For Change” in front of City Hall, and previous debate watch parties.

Call the Democratic Committee at 667-7300 for more info.

The committee has hosted a number of events to rally support for Obama including voter registration drives and a “Tri-state Rally For Change” that was held last Saturday. Devereaux Cannick, chairman of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee, said more than 500 Mount Vernon residents registered to vote in the last few weeks.

Call the Democratic Committee at 667-7300 for more info.

The troubled agency has been under federal investigation since a 2006 audit revealed the city overbilled the Section 8 housing program by $1.7 million.

Mount Vernon Democrats will hit the streets Sunday to rally support for Barack Obama. The Democratic City Committee will staff tables throughout the city to give out information about Obama’s campaign and register new voters.