Mt. Vernon City Experiences Fuel Shortages

From The City Of Mt. Vernon: The City of Mount Vernon is currently experiencing a fuel shortage due to Comptroller Maureen Walker’s refusal to pay the city’s bills for fuel and gas.

“Unfortunately, just like last time – these checks …have not yet been mailed. We need to have all three posted before we can re-activate service per my manager.” – Email from city’s fuel vendor to Comptroller Walker’s office, dated 3/8/17.

Earlier today, (SEE VIDEO HERE) the Mayor and Commissioners of Public Safety, Fire, Public Works, Buildings, and Civil Defense attempted to get the Comptroller Walker to release the payments for the vendor that they have been holding since January, however she refused. The Mayor and Commissioners also attempted to meet Comptroller Walker however she left the building and did not meet with them.

The city’s fuel reserves are at precariously low levels and they will not be enough to sustain us through Winter Storm Stella

Click Here to Watch Mount Vernon’s Commissioners Attempt to Meet with Comptroller Walker and Get Payment [VIDEO]

Click Here to Read Department of Public Works’ Emergency Memo! [excerpted below]

Mayor Richard Thomas said, “We are alarmed that Comptroller Walker has once again allowed her personal political feelings to hijack her decision-making. The City of Mount Vernon needs fuel to plow streets, respond to emergency calls, and make sure our residents are safe and secure during Winter Storm Stella. Her indifference is an insult to every taxpayer in this city.

Comptroller Walker’s childish games of hide-and-seek with our tax dollars must end. The people who elected us expect basic services. Her repeated refusal to pay the bills is a betrayal of the public trust, especially since emergency services are threatened during this extreme weather event. Given her willful and negligent conduct, I will use all the powers accorded to ensure we get access to fuel ahead of the storm.

At a time when we need to communicate with the public about what to do, ahead of the storm, it is an embarrassment that Wicked Walker is holding the city’s safety hostage in exchange for self-gain."

Acting Commissioner of Public Works Frank Perone said, “I was extremely disappointed in the Comptroller’s office refusal to issue payment to our oil and gas vendor. It’s an embarrassment to the city that these bills have not been paid in over sixty days. Our credit is damaged and our operations are suffering for no justifiable reason. I wish Comptroller Walker had the same pride for Mount Vernon that the rest of us do.”

Acting Commissioner of Public Safety Shawn Harris said, “The Mount Vernon Police Department urges the Comptroller’s office to remit payment immediately. Not having fuel for police cars is unacceptable and puts Mount Vernon in peril.”

Fire Department Commissioner Ted Beale, “We have less than a third of fuel in our tanks. We expected a delivery today and it did not come. We simply do not understand why the fuel bill has become a burning issue, things like the public safety should be sacred from delays such as this.”

Mayor Richard Thomas has directed the City of Mount Vernon Law Department to prepare the necessary emergency authorizations to ensure the city’s emergency services and snow removal apparatus continue to operate.

Image Via Pixabay