1 Mount Vernon

First, let me extend my sincere congratulations to the new City Council
President, Mr. Andre Wallace. Such a role is a great responsibility and I
look forward to working to with you to make Mount Vernon magnificent
again.

Tonight, we gather as one Mount Vernon. We start this new year off with
togetherness; with solidarity, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Today is a new beginning, a fresh and sincere opportunity to help the people of Mount Vernon thrive.

Council President Wallace, myself, and all elected officials share one
responsibility and mandate. To provide for the health, safety, and
welfare of the people of Mount Vernon. To puts forth the people’s agenda
and mandate.

Bryan Stephenson, founder of Equal Justice Initiative once said, “You measure
the health of your soul by how you treat the poor, incarcerated and
condemned."

As we start the new year, we must measure the soul of our city. How do we
treat the poor, the seniors, the children, the history and culture of
our home.

As a proud native son of Mount Vernon, I come with open mind and a
servant’s heart that tonight soul, that we, WE, the City Council, the
Comptroller, may work together as a strong cooperative unit for the
PEOPLE. The issues are bigger than one man or one woman, they are about
the well-being of the citizens of Mount Vernon. We should all want;
CLEAN WATER, A strong infrastructure, smooth streets, parks to play in,
and our city to prosper in every respect.

In order to do that, we need one MOUNT VERNON, working together, agreeing
to disagree, but AT ALL TIMES giving and receiving respect and
COMMUNICATING FOR THE PEOPLE. We, you and I, serve at their discretion
My administration will support the PEOPLE’s agenda and work with the new
City Council President to make OUR 1 Mount Vernon not just survive,but
thrive.

To help it become the SMART, GREEN and CLEAN CITY it was meant to be.

This year marks the 400-year Anniversary of the shameful Tran-Atlantic Slave
Trade. We as a black people have come full circle. Mount Vernon is a
mix of all cultures, nationalities, races, creeds, colors, and
socioeconomic levels. It is our duty to serve their needs at the highest
level. We, together, with your leadership, competence, and positive
contagious enthusiasm can WIN for the PEOPLE OF MOUNT VERNON. It is your
city, our city, and the PEOPLE’s needs that are the priority.

Let’s LEAN INTO 2019, let’s lean into your inaugural day, let’s lean in with
1 MOUNT VERNON, and as leaders, set the tone for our community.
1 MOUNT VERNON, as the Mayor, I thank you, and we all celebrate your new
position as the President and Leader of the City Council.