#BelieveAgain Why I’m Supporting Shawyn Patterson Howard for Mayor
By Gabby Hunter
Perhaps I’ve been quiet for too long. Let’s face it we are in a deep and dark hole and the ONLY thing we need we ain’t focusing on it.
We need people who honestly have integrity, respect, passion, desire and drive to make Mount Vernon flourish again.
For years I wondered why our parent’s generation would not let go….not pass the torch. They were allowed to hold on so long that a lot of my generation decided to move on to other places and be a part of making those places flourish. I was excited to see the current administration come into office. I was excited to see my generation capabilities.
However, all we feel is embarrassed about our current reputation. This game of politics has become so nasty in the city and it needs to stop. The families of our leaders get personally attacked and they didn’t sign up for the job. This nastiness has stopped a lot of people from stepping up to the plate. We have seen and heard stories about all sorts of negative things that were so bad right on cue New 12 was there to film and record it all again and again and that’s right again. How can we as a community want change when we are soooo mad and angry about everything. We as a community need to commit to making this work. How many more years will we be the laughing stock of the county? We seem to be plagued with this darkness for decades and until that has been rid it will continue to fester like the cancer it is.
Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE and crave traveling. Travel for me is the one thing I know will give me instant knowledge and understanding. I have a huge curiosity for the earth and what people around the globe see every day. At times I wonder if perhaps it’s because of my hometown.
I am from Mount Vernon in the county of Westchester in the state of New York.
Growing up my hometown gave me this sense of pride that I truly long for. Although we are small in size we are richly dense in a population that is diverse. This diversity allows me to say I grew up with friends who were practicing Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans, those who practice African and Native beliefs. I grew with people whose background literally spanned the globe.
We were a place that had the foundation of acceptance and inclusion and most importantly we had integrity. We were safe to roam the streets because we knew everyone looked out for one another. We all have stories of the people who caught you being kids or teens and would check you because they loved you. It didn’t matter who because they had your best interest at heart.
Then one day we woke up and I don’t know what happened. No one knows anyone, no one wants to connect with the earth, no one seems to care. I mean we care cause we are here but we don’t seem to care enough. Maybe it’s when we stopped being called Money Earnin and became Murderville.
When people don’t keep up with their history it naturally creates a void. It used to be White Plains, New Rochelle, and Yonkers were neighbors who had the same issues. Yet somehow those places figured it out got on one accord and have become amazing cities that now benefit all its citizens.
The next mayoral race might be the most important one in a long time. Because of this I support Shawyn Patterson Howard in her journey to becoming the next mayor of Mount Vernon.
Not because she has the resume to back her ability to do the job, not because she is passionate and outspoken about this city, not because she has a vested interest as a homeowner, not because she is approachable, not because she is a fact checker, not because she has the drive and determination to withstand the scrutiny that comes with public office, not because I have a personal relationship with her, not because she has mentored and been mentored by some of the greats but because of one reason her unwavering integrity. If you are willing to join in this commitment to getting MV back on track….come on we got work to be done. #BelieveAgain
Gabby Hunter
Mount Vernon Resident
Daughter of Nellie A. Thornton
