DRAFT

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS

JANUARY 22, 1998

4 PM

Present: Chair: Clinton I. Young, Jr., Member Lois Bronz, George Latimer (ex officio), Suzanne Swanson, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Tom Abinanti Staff: Gary Kriss, Daniel Rodriguez

The meeting was called to order at 4:04 PM by Mr. Young. Mr. Young moved the minutes of the previous meeting which was seconded by Mrs. Bronz. Mr. Young welcomed everyone to the meeting and acknowledged Legislators Swanson, Stewart-Cousins, and Chairman Latimer.

Mr. Young told the participants that he had received several calls concerning the lack of minority appointments by the County Executive, and that he felt an action plan was necessary in order to address the matter properly. Mr. Young asked Mr. Paul Redd of the Westchester Affirmative Action Program to begin the discussion.

Mr. Redd expressed his great disappointment at the lack of minority appointments given his years as of political involvement. He told the group that the time to act was now, before all the positions are filled.

Carlos Bernard of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce stated that he felt that the County Executive would fulfill his promise to appoint minorities. Mr. Young asked Mr. Bernard if his organization and the County Executive have had any communications between them. Mr. Bernard said that his organization had only sent a congratulatory letter, and had spoken to then candidate Spano at a gala dinner.

Mr. Young shared with the group the list of County Boards and Commissions that lack diversity and have many individuals serving with expired terms. He asked everyone to review the list and to submit resumes for open positions if interested.

Mrs. Bronz stated that Hispanics and Afro-Americans should serve on all the Boards.

Mr. Latimer said that the challenge for him and the Board of Legislators is to do a better job, and that he understands why so many are upset with the current status. He also stated that the County Officers and Department Heads Committee would carefully review those being appointed. Robin Douglas of the Afro-American Chamber of Commerce said that during elections those running know where to go for the votes, but that once an election is over they forget who got them in office. She suggested that a dialogue be established immediately after an election in order to have input at obtaining some opportunities.

Mr. Latimer explained the separation of powers, and that he did not run on the philosophy that a vote for him will get you the spoils.

Mrs. Bronz said she anticipates a better line of communication between the County Executive and the Board of Legislators.

Mr. Young said that he had originally thought that the Board and the County Executive would come out of the blocks together. He said he has been contacted by the County Executive and been told that by March 1st new appointments would be made and that minorities would be included. He went on to say that the County Executive also expressed a willingness to meet with the Minority Affairs Committee on the matter. He asked the group to bring resumes to him to pass on to the County Executive.

Beth Moro of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said that it would be better to first find out what positions are available and then submit appropriate resumes for the positions.

Ms. Stewart-Cousins asked Mr. Redd about the transition process. He told her that he was not on the transition team but rather on the Planning Committee which was responsible for putting the transition team in place. He went on to say that he hopes that within 90 days he will see Blacks, Hispanics and Women included in the new administration. He concluded by saying that he still believes that he’s on the outside looking in.

Ilse Velez of the SER Program said that there should be a focus on the solutions to the problems.

Mrs. Bronz said that the answer to Ms. Velez’s questions is that there is a need to know what positions are available.

Hector Garcia of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce asked what are the number of positions available and in the control of the County Executive?

Mr. Young said he would get that information as soon as possible.

Ms. Moro suggested that they consider minorities for other non-traditional positions other than DSS, and Corrections which are minority havens.

Mr. Young told the group that the new Personnel Director is very supportive and receptive to the Committee’s concerns. He went on to say that he would communicate with the County Executive with the request of positions and for those that are available.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM, on a motion by Mr. Young, seconded by Mrs. Bronz, passed by a vote of 2-0.

The Committee’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27th at 1 PM.