The primary vote may be over, but the debate continues in Mount Vernon between outgoing Mayor Ernie Davis and the firefighters' union.

The debate is over the city's decision to cancel sending four new recruits to the county's first training center in Valhalla. The decision has angered union president Ernest Richardson.

"What's the reason? The spots are in the budget, the money is there," says Richardson. "Guys gave their two weeks notices at their jobs because they were supposed to work here in the Mount Vernon Fire Department."

Mayor Ernie Davis tells News 12 that it was actually the fire commissioner who made the decision to temporarily suspend the September recruiting class because it made political and fiscal sense.

"We decided to wait until spring when we could have six recruits," says Davis. "It gives the mayor the opportunity to pick these candidates."

Richardson says he believes the mayor pulled the recruits out as a payback because the fire union endorsed his opponent Richard Thomas, who won the primary.

Councilman Richard Thomas told News 12 that while he greatly appreciates Mayor Davis' consideration, he believes the mayor should move forward with the hirings for the sake of public safety.