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MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER 9, 1997

12 NOON

Present: Chair: Clinton I. Young, Jr., Members: Lois Bronz

Staff: Lynne Creighton, Secretary, Dan Rodriguez

Legislator: Andrea Stewart-Cousins, LWVW : Jo Brill,

Beverly Cunningham, Leslie Mantrone National

Organization for Women-Westchester PAC: Amy Paulin

The meeting was called to order at 12:10pm by Mr. Young.

The minutes of August 12, 1997 were approved on motion of Mrs. Bronz, seconded by Mr. Young, passed by a vote of 2-0.

After extending a greeting to everyone, Mr. Young said that the committee, over the past 18 months, had dealt with several key issues involving both women and minorities.

Mr. Young said that he would need the help of the League of Women Voters of Westchester concerning other issues that have come up, particularly dealing with minority and women-owned businesses, especially as it pertains to the rehabilitation and possible building of a new courthouse, which could range between $70 million to $140 million dollars. Aside from the inclusion and economic aspect, Mr. Young said that he had also not been receiving the kind of cooperation from the Administration on personnel issues, which involve women.

Mr. Young further stated that he has been trying for the past year

and-a-half to have legislation enacted that would require the County

to keep records regarding the inclusion of women and minority-owned businesses.

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Mr. Young said that he was able to have a resolution unanimously passed by the Board in November of 1996, asking the County Attorney to submit proposed legislation that would require record keeping on the part of every department in the county.

Mr. Young further stated that he had Board Chairman Oros communicate with the County Attorney two weeks ago, who informed him that the legislation had been drafted, but needed to be typed. To date, the committee has still not received the legislation.

Mr. Young opened the floor to discussion and Ms. Mantrone explained that on the national level the LWV has had a history of supporting Affirmative Action and related causes.

Mrs. Brill wanted to know how to monitor the process and Mrs. Bronz said that it involved building a record and a history of the County’s involvement or lack of attention to the Executive Order, and that the only way to monitor the situation is to keep records, and that this has not been put in place.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins said that the level of consciousness has to be raised, and that it’s important for the WLWV to be on board.

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Mr. Young said that Executive Order #8 is a good document but has not been implemented and asked the LWVW to review it and offer suggestions.

Mrs. Bronz suggested that the LWVW question the Administration about Executive Order #8.

Mrs. Bronz also suggested providing the LWVW with the resolution and the full package of information regarding the committee’s communication with the Administration. Mrs. Bronz would like to review the press releases and the information that accompanied the signing of Executive Order #8.

Mrs. Bronz would like to review the tape of the April 15 meeting with the County Attorney, to review the comments and suggestions made by the County Attorney.

After further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m., on motion of Mrs. Bronz, seconded by Mr. Young, passed by a vote

of 2-0.