We Promote Independent Oversight, Lawful Government
and Public Accountability
in the City of Mount Vernon.

Who We Are

We are Mount Vernon residents who care because we live here. We believe our local government must serve all residents fairly, transparently, and without favoritism.

Our work is non-partisan, fact-based, secular, and anti-racist, focused on accountability and real improvement in our community.

What We Do

Investigate

Independent research and analysis of public records, budgets, and government actions.

Document

FOIL requests, audits, and evidence-based reporting accessible to the public.

Enforce

Strategic legal action to compel compliance with the law when necessary.

Protect

Support for whistle blowers and residents who report misconduct in good faith.

Featured Work

October 11, 2026

Audits, Finance, Government Transparency

Mount Vernon Is Not on the State’s Fiscal Stress List. Nobody Can Say Whether It Should Be.

The State Comptroller hasn't been able to score Mount Vernon's finances for ten years, because City Hall doesn't file the reports the law requires on time.

Mount Vernon isn't on the State's fiscal stress list, and nobody can say whether it should be. City Hall hasn't filed the reports needed to score it.

October 9, 2026

Mount Vernon’s Planning Commissioner Has an AKRF Problem

James Rausse’s latest controversy adds to a growing record of questionable judgment, missing records, and conflicts left unexplained.

Mount Vernon Planning Commissioner James Rausse is already at the center of a challenged Comprehensive Plan and a $955,000 zoning procurement with significant gaps in the public record. Now AKRF — a consultant that helped

October 7, 2026

$955,000, Missing Records, and One Big Question: Did Mount Vernon Follow the Rules?

More Taxpayer Money. Same Missing Controls.

Mount Vernon chose a $955,000 consultant over a competitor charging $135,000 less. But missing proposals, an unidentified reviewer, undocumented interviews and other gaps leave the City unable, so far, to produce the paper trail showing

Disclaimer

Participate

No democracy functions without engaged citizens.

Real accountability begins when people take part – by staying informed, speaking up, and supporting one another.

The Mount Vernon Civic Integrity Project offers several ways to get involved, at your own pace and in your own way.

Stay Informed

Get occasional updates, investigations, and public calls to action delivered directly to you.

You can sign up below.

Spread the word

Share our reporting and resources to help build a more informed community.

Volunteer

We’re volunteer-run and welcome support with research, writing, technology, fundraising, and organizing.

Share Information

Share tips or documents related to Mount Vernon government.

Confidential submissions are respected upon request.

We Promote Independent Oversight, Lawful Government and Public Accountability in the City of Mount Vernon.