Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CORPORATION
COUNSEL TO RETAIN SPECIAL ELECTION LAW
COUNSEL TO ADVISE THE CITY OF MOUNT
VERNON, REGARDING THE MOUNT VERNON
REFORM INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND
RELATED MATTERS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 153 of the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon, the City Council may authorize the retention of special counsel whenever the interests of the City require specialized legal expertise; and
WHEREAS, the City of Mount Vernon has received petitions submitted by the Mount Vernon Reform Initiative proposing amendments to the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon; and
WHEREAS, issues have arisen concerning the validity and sufficiency of such petitions, the proposed Charter amendments, petition format and requirements, review and verification procedures, and the City's obligations under applicable provisions of New York State Election Law; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation Counsel has determined that the City would benefit from the advice and representation of experienced election law counsel to assist in evaluating the petitions and advising the City and its officers regarding appropriate responses and procedures; and
WHEREAS, Jerry H. Goldfeder, Esq., of Cozen O'Connor LLP, is a nationally recognized election law attorney with more than forty (40) years of experience representing federal, state, and local elected officials and candidates, municipalities, labor organizations, political action committees, and not-for-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goldfeder currently serves as Chair of the American Bar Association's Election Law Committee, directs Fordham Law School's Voting Rights and Democracy Project, serves on various legal task forces dedicated to democracy and the rule of law, has taught Election Law at Fordham University School of Law since 2003, and is the author of Goldfeder's Modern Election Law; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goldfeder's expertise will assist the City in ensur...
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