COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2000
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Ingrid Bent, County Executive Intern; Constance Corbett, Rita Plate, and Carolyn Pellot, Candidates for Citizen Consumer Advisory Board.
Mrs. LaMotte called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
Constance Corbett. A resident of Greenburgh and Head Supervisor of the Foods Divisions at Consumer Union in Mount Vernon. Ms. Corbett has been appointed to the Advisory Council to fill the expired term of Eve Bunting-Smith, Esq. She graduated Smith College with an MA and has an extensive background in the food industry ranging from product development, marketing and consumer complaints. She has attended several meetings since appointed.
Ms. Corbett expressed concern with shelf labeling and the over the counter sale of Herbal Supplements. She said that the New York City Council is in the process of enacting legislation to restrict the sale of herbal supplements to minors. Ms. Corbett read an article in the Wall Street Journal that herbal supplements builds up the metabolism in the body, evidently, they are easily bought over the counter and minors purchase them to get high.
Mr. Pinto mentioned his constituent complaints about the lack of unit pricing displays in the Home Depot stores. Ms. Corbett said it is the consumers right to complain and a matter for the Advisory Board to review.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the appointment of Constance Corbett to the Citizen Consumer Advisory Board was approved by a 6-0 vote.
*APPROVED-4/24/00;ACS/VJP;6-0
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Rita Plate. A resident of Bronxville and Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Better Business Bureau, has been appointed to the Advisory Council to fill the expired term of Mark Herrmann as the Area 1 representative. The BBB is a non-profit organization supported by businesses and handles consumer disputes for seven New York Counties. She has worked in all capacities of the Mid-Hudson BBB, including Arbitration Coordinator, Assistant Executive Director to Executive Director.
Ms. Plate formerly served on the Advisory Board under the direction of former Legislator and Consumer Affairs Director, Diane Keane. Elaine Price called on her to serve again to fill in an expired term, and she is most happy to do so.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Stewart Cousins, the appointment of Rita Plate, to the Citizens Consumer Advisory Council, was approved by a 6-0 vote.
Carolyn Pellot: A resident of Mount Vernon, has been appointed to serve as a business representative member of the Citizens Consumer Advisory Council. She has 12 years of experience in the financial service industry and is proficient in analyzing corporate and personal financial statements and negotiates with clients to identify their financial needs and coordinates plans of action to enhance revenues.
Mr. Young said Ms. Pellot is a long time resident of Mount Vernon and is an outstanding citizen. He spoke highly about her and her family, her extensive financial background, and her active participation in various community projects.
Ms. Pellot said she was nominated because of her own tendencies to make consumer complaints. She feels she can give an inside view of financial aspects as well as consumer aspects. She has several issues for the Board to review, especially for seniors and educating them of their consumer rights and what services are available to them.
Mrs. Spreckman informed Ms. Pellot about her senior task force and the shopping shuttle programs.
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On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment of Ms. Pellot to the Citizens Consumers Advisory Board was approved by a 6-0 vote.
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Monday, April 24th at 4 p.m. The minutes of March 27th and April 3rd will be discussed at that time.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Pinto, all reappointments to various Boards and Commissions on page 3 are received and filed. Motion carried 6-0.
Agenda Items 2D and 4D regarding Human Rights Commission candidates, have been forwarded to the Administration for review.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto.