Guyanese Maureen Walker, who is the Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, has recently announced that she is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party in the up-coming primary elections to be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 for the Office of Mayor of Mount Vernon. Maureen is a New York State Certified Public Accountant. The Plaisance native holds an MBA in Finance from the University of New Haven and a B.Sc. in Accounting (magna cum laude) from Brooklyn College. Prior to being elected to the office of Comptroller, Maureen was employed as an Auditor with Arthur Anderson, & Company and as a Senior Financial Analyst with The Equitable Life Assurance Company.
In 1993, Maureen was elected Comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, New York. She became the first woman, the first African American and the first person of Caribbean descent to hold such a position. During her tenure, Comptroller Walker has achieved her objective of maintaining the City of Mount Vernon as a financially stable and viable municipality. This financial stability has resulted in on-going budget surpluses which have enabled the city to keep city property tax increases to a minimum level. As a result of this, Mount Vernon remains an affordable city for residents and businesses. Under her leadership, the Department of Finance on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for many years. Maureen Walker was re-elected to the position of Comptroller of Mount Vernon in 1997, 2001 and 2005, 2009 and 2013. She is currently serving her sixth consecutive term as comptroller-elect.
As City Comptroller, Mrs. Walker is responsible for The Finance and Payroll Departments. The Comptroller manages the City’s Budget, oversees insurance coverage, negotiates union contracts, tax collection, management of City owned Real Estate, Risk Management, General Accounting and Record Keeping, in addition to overseeing investments and financing of Capital Projects.
The Comptroller serves on The Board of Estimate (which approves City Contracts), The Real Estate Committee, The Mount Vernon Renewal Agency (which plans for the revitalization of the City), The Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency, and The Capital Projects Board.
Maureen is an Adjunct Professor of Finance and Accounting at Iona College, and is a frequent speaker on various accounting and finance issues as they relate to her job as City Comptroller. In addition, she is a member of the New York State Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc. and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Westchester Municipal Finance Association.
Maureen demonstrates her commitment and concern for the people of the citizens of Mount Vernon through her years of dedicated service in professional and volunteering endeavors. Mrs. Walker served on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement and is a Consultant to the Junior Achievement arm of the Mount Vernon Public Schools System. She was a member of the Mount Vernon Business and Professional Women’s Club, Community Aid Club of Mount Vernon and WESTHELP-Mount Vernon.
In recognition of her community work, Comptroller Walker has received the following awards: The Community Service Medal from the Guyanese Community Council, the Distinguished Zenith Award from the West Indian American Chamber of Commerce, the 105th Congressional Record Commemoration, The Mount Vernon Housing Authority Dedicated Service Award, the Martin Weichselbaum Award from the Jewish War Veterans, The Mount Vernon Hospital Outstanding and Distinguished Community Service Award, The Spirit of Achievement Award from Junior Achievement of Hudson Valley Inc., The All Islands Association Community Service Award, The Guyana Tri State Alliance Service Award, Alpha Chapter 1 P.H.O.E.S. Award for outstanding contributions in the Field of Finance and Business and Professional Women, the USA “Woman of Distinction Award”, the Mount Vernon Heights Congregational Church Outstanding Service Award, the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award, The Community Service Award from First Reformed Church, Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry and Parent against Teen Violence certificate from Parents against Teen Violence Organization.
Maureen was also awarded for relentless service to community from the Guyanese Cultural Association, Outstanding Community Service from The Caribbean Club of First Presbyterian Church, Outstanding Professional Excellence from the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church, Immigrant Achievement and Community Service Award from Westchester Hispanic Coalition Inc., and Support of Academic Achievements award from the M.V.H.S andUNA/USA Westchester, Mount Vernon Seventh Day Adventist Church Award, First Presbyterian Church Award, Friendship Worship Center Community Service Award, Young at Arts Service Award, Martin Luther King Service Award and the AARP Hutchinson #2619 award for dedicated service and the improvement of our community. Maureen is married to Robert Walker and their union has produced two children: Collis and Collette. Maureen and Robert reside in Mount Vernon.
In her announcement, posted to the Mount Vernon Inquirer website, Maureen outlined her plans for the City of Mount Vernon should she win the elections. “As Mayor, I will change things for the better in Mount Vernon. My vision for our city is to transfer Mount Vernon into a modern “mini” metropolis by aggressively marketing our city as a convenient, accessible and affordable alternative to uptown Manhattan in New York City with easy access to the “Big City” by rail, subway and several major highways. Two major airports (La Guardia and Westchester County) are twenty minutes from Mount Vernon.”
My campaign will focus on the following items to make this vision a reality:
New ethical and professional leadership that:
· Instills confidence in potential investors, businesses and new residents
· Inspires our young adults to excel in education in order to fill potential new jobs In Mount Vernon and elsewhere
· Provides meaningful and safe recreational activities for our children
· Is accessible and delivers on promises made
· Provides healthy and nurturing activities for our seniors.
· Understands that Mount Vernon as a city must be affordable for young couples as well as seniors on fixed incomes
· Understands and appreciates the importance of quality of life issues in our city
· Leads by example
“NEW LEADERSHIP FOR POSITIVE CHANGE”
For more information, contact:
Friends of Maureen Walker
322 Langdon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553
Tel/Fax: (914) 667-4088
Email: Friendsofmwalker@aol.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maureenwalkermt.Vernon
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