The
Mount Vernon public works commissioner tells News 12 that the city's fuel shortage has become
critical enough to potentially shut
down operations in the city.
Commissioner
Damani Bush says the city is currently rationing gas by limiting vehicles to
only 5 gallons per fill.
Bush believes there are only a few days remaining
before the problem becomes worse, saying in part, “By Tuesday, our whole entire
operation will be shut down citywide.”
The
shutdown could mean all essential city agency vehicles including police and
fire, as well as garbage pick-up, could be at a stand-still.
“Once
that happens, we’ll be crippled,” says Bush.
The
fuel shortage issue isn’t something new for the city. However, the commissioner
says this time is due to lack of payment.
Bush
alleges companies refuse to work with the city until they are paid in full.
Outstanding bills provided by the city indicate three fuel companies are owed more than
$200,000, with some invoices dating back to 2017.
News
12’s Ty Milburn visited the finance office responsible for issuing the checks
but realized the office building closed earlier than usual. The city’s
comptroller, Deborah Reynolds, could not be reached but a note on the door
indicates the closure was due to cleaning.
Resident
Stanley Brown tells News 12 there is no excuse.
“Just
get it done,” says Brown. “They have enough finances to do it.”