Governance - Mount Vernon Civic Integrity Project

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February 24, 2026

Why “Nothing Works” in Mount Vernon

How Dysfunction, Incompetence, and Corruption Became the Operating System

When dysfunction, incompetence, and corruption overlap, nothing works. Mount Vernon's government trifecta explained — and why reform can't wait.

February 14, 2026

New York: The State of “There’s Nothing We Can Do.”

Mount Vernonites deserve more than Press Releases

New York State claims oversight over Mount Vernon — but never enforces it. When every agency passes the buck, residents have one option: fix it ourselves.

February 12, 2026

When Your Government Lies to You

One FOIL Request. Zero Records. Thirteen Days Later, a Cover-Up

When Mount Vernon officials said no records existed, thirteen days later they appeared on a council agenda. MVCIP breaks down the FOIL response, pension filings, and what residents deserve to know.

February 7, 2026

Building Department, Planning

What Does Civic Power Look Like?

Public Pressure Stops Bronxville Field Club Settlement

How public pressure and community organizing stopped a backroom settlement, and what this moment reveals about civic power, transparency, and accountability in Mount Vernon.

January 30, 2026

Planning

$450,000 for Silence

The Bronxville Field Club Settlement That Sacrifices Hunt’s Woods and Guts Public Accountability

A secret settlement. A powerless Planning Board. A flooded neighborhood left out of the room - sold off for $450,000.

January 22, 2026

City Services

An Accidental Moment of Honesty

The City’s Own AI Chatbot ‘Lucky’ Offers Solutions

Mount Vernon is talking about “AI leadership” while its own chatbot diagnoses political dysfunction and broken governance. The gap between rhetoric and reality is hard to miss.

January 15, 2026

When Criticism Becomes “Misinformation”

How Mount Vernon Officials Are Reframing Dissent

As Mount Vernon residents question major policy decisions, officials have begun labeling criticism as “misinformation,” a shift that risks chilling public participation and weakening democratic accountability.

January 11, 2026

Comprehensive Plan, Planning

You Can’t Build Forward on Broken Systems

Mount Vernon’s Comprehensive Plan Is a Failure of Planning, Law, and Basic Competence

Mount Vernon’s Comprehensive Plan ignores failing infrastructure, sidesteps environmental review, and removes public safeguards, all while placing greater strain on neighborhoods already at their limits.

January 9, 2026

City Charter

Charter Amended to Codify Mayor’s Chief of Staff Roles

Positions Written into the Charter Without a Voter Referendum

Mount Vernon quietly amended its City Charter to codify the Mayor’s Chief of Staff roles—without a voter referendum—raising serious legal and democratic concerns.