Peekskill Candidate Profile: Mahon For Common Council

PEEKSKILL, NY — Westchester County has several contested races in this fall's election, including in Peekskill. Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles until election day.

Marlon Mahon is running for Peekskill Common Council.

He is part of a slate headed by Vincent A. Vesce for Mayor and including Lauren Brady and Luis A Segarra for Common Council. They are running on the bipartisan Peekskill Together ticket, which was endorsed by Conservative, Independence and Republican parties.

Their opponents are Mayor Andre Rainey, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Talbot and council members Vivian McKenzie and Patricia Riley, running for re-election as a slate on the Democratic Party line.

Mahon has been an IT and management consultant for 20 years.

The single most pressing issue facing our community, and what I intend to do about it.

Our city today is faced with a degradation of civility with the current administration further exacerbated by a lack of transparency culminating in a distrustful environment and relationship between the community and the administration. The toxic formula has established a consistently antagonistic engagement evident at council meetings. Without a trusted, transparent and respectful relationship with the community, our progress will be impeded and any decision(s) will be scrutinize; right, wrong or indifferent. We must bring civility back to city hall. We will seek to train all city employees on unconscious biases so we are better able to interact with the diversity (race, ethnicity and socio-economic standing) of ALL of Peekskill. We will increase the communities understand of the management of city affairs and budget by increasing the reporting frequency, proactively pushing more information out better leveraging technology and existing communication mediums. We will introduce alternative mediums and days which City Hall is open and accessible to the community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My professional experience in finding creative problem solving, collaborative engagement of approaches and the ability to bring people together clearly differentiates me from the incumbents. I have experience in taking an idea from ideation, through funding, execution and delivery. I work with all levels of an organization to help them achieve their greatest potential. I am committed to bringing these skill and experience to the community in Peekskill so that we can achieve our greatest potential via a defined strategy supported by the community and attracting the investors to deliver upon that strategy.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current administration has lost the trust of many in the community which is vital in the relationship and representation of an elected official. 'Doing business' with City Hall has become a daunting task contrary to what I believe is a fundamental responsibility of government - namely, to create a conducive environment where services are provided to citizens with respect, efficiency and professionalism, to attract investors/business that aligned with a defined strategy for development, growth, job opportunities and contribution to the tax base.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a proven track record of defining and delivering initiatives across a multitude of industries where I am responsible for establishing and growing trusted advisory relationships across an organization; from line worker to C-Suite executives. I manage multi-million dollar accounts and have financial delivery responsibilities on my accounts.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

To whom much is given, much is expected.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, one of four specialized high schools in New York. I have a BS in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. I have been an IT/Management consultant for 20 years, worked in the telecommunications, healthcare, media & entertainment and consumer products industries. I have worked internationally and have a proven track record of delivering on time and within budget. On the flip side, I have also been successful in turning around projects that were in jeopardy and rebuilding trust with C-Suite executives.

I have been a resident of Peekskill for 21 years, residing with my wife of 17 years and 15 year old daughter. I am a registered Democrat and believe in people over party. I am originally from the island of Grenada. I am a member of the first African American Greek organization, Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated.

Are you running for office in Peekskill? Contact Lanning Taliaferro at lanning.taliaferro@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and posting campaign announcements on Patch.

Previously on Patch:

• Peekskill Candidate Profile: Riley For Common Council
• Peekskill Candidate Profile: Brady For City Council
• Peekskill Candidate Profile: Talbot For Common Council
• Westchester Candidate Profile: Outhouse For County Legislature
• 2019 Candidate Profile: Colin D. Smith For County Legislature
• 2019 Candidate Profile: Frank Catalina For County Legislature
• Peekskill Candidate Profile: Segarra For Common Council