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Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas was in Los Angeles last week to meet with hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs to “continue collaboration talks to grow Mount Vernon’s sports and entertainment economy.” The meeting came following a similar get together with the mogul in Miami earlier this year.
Thomas said that talks included restoring Memorial Field, “making it a premier east coast destination for Olympic athletes and local champions to train, compete and connect with the community.”
"I thank Diddy for the invitation to join him at his home - again - for an important conversation on changing Mount Vernon for good. He and his children, who played Razorback football, have fond memories of Memorial Field and desire to see it come back life for the kids, seniors and families of our rising city," the Mayor said in a statement.
"Memorial Field is Mount Vernon's 'field of dreams' and it is deeply encouraging to know that one of the biggest entertainers on the planet, Diddy, is open to joining the team to reclaim Mount Vernon's destiny as 'Money Earnin' Mount Vernon' in sports and entertainment.
"This is one of many actions taken to create a better future for all of Mount Vernon. I look forward to recruiting more stakeholders to join the movement to make Mount Vernon magnificent again. I believe that we can bring back jobs and seize genuine opportunities for a better future if we dare to activate our real potential today."
Memorial Field remains a point of contention among elected officials in Mount Vernon, with the county seizing control of cleanup efforts at the once vibrant park.
Thomas’ eager work at Memorial Field - including the demolition of the grandstands, possibly without proper permissions - led to a temporary restraining order that was issued last month, halting any work on the site.
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