Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard talks about her role as vice president of the New York Conference of Mayors and their focus on policy issues such as infrastructure, clean energy, and emergency services. She emphasizes the importance of addressing national polarization and contempt at the local level to foster community cohesion.
Patterson-Howard shares how the conference provides practical training and certification programs for municipal leaders, covering topics like law, collective bargaining, and economic development. She highlights the value of networking and shared experiences among colleagues, which helps in adapting best practices and overcoming challenges in public service.
You can watch the full interview above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.