COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFICERS & DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, MAY 15, 2000
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita. County Executive: Ingrid Bent.
ALSO PRESENT: Richard Wishnie, Legislator, 9th District; Chevon Fuller (Chair), Donald Silverman, Esq. (Vice-Chair), Human Rights Commission Appointees; Thomas Hughes – Community Services Board Appointee.
Donald Silverman, Esq.: A resident of White Plains, a former Westchester County Judge and Justice of the Supreme Court in the 9th Judicial District, has been appointed to the Human Right Commission by County Executive Spano. He is currently the law partner with Worby, Borowick Groner and counsel to the law firms of Keane, Beane, and Bikkal.
Mr. Silverman has been elected by the members of the Human Rights Commission as Vice-Chair and expressed his concerns with the new process. He said each member of the Commission will be exploring and learning the process and would likely bring their individual experience to the table to ensure a fair process. This Commission will offer the opportunity to learn about various controversial matters and work toward just results. He said that the Commission will have to set rules and procedures to ensure an individual’s rights to protection whatever the case may be and hopes that the process will be important in each individual case.
Mrs. LaMotte asked to keep the lines of communication open and bring forward any problem the Commission feels the Board should review.
Mrs. Spreckman asked if any overloaded State cases would be forwarded to the County. Mr. Silverman said, as per law, the County could not take over any transfer cases from the State. He also said that he would prefer to take on a new case rather than an eight-year-old case. He suggested a waiver might take over some of the recent cases.
*APPROVED 6/26/00; VJP/CIY; 5-0
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Mrs. Swanson suggests starting cases over on the County level to handle, but Mr. Silverman said once an agency initiates a case, it could not be taken over by another entity.
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins is pleased to have Judge Silverman be a part of this Commission because he has a clear vision of what the Commission is about. He has served as trial counselor in private practice, both civil and criminal cases, as well as with the Legal Aid Society of Westchester and for the Volunteers in Service to America. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins said with the talent and expertise of Judge Silverman, the Commission would look for fairness and be proud of their efforts.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment of Donald Silverman, Esq., as a member of the Human Rights Commission, is approved by a vote 6-0.
Chevon Fuller: A resident of Yonkers, a Cornell Law School student and the former NYS Attorney Generals Bureau Chief of Civil Rights, has been appointed a member of the Human Rights Commission by County Executive Spano. She also has been recently elected the Chairperson of the Commission. Ms. Fuller also served in the Attorney General’s office as an Assistant Attorney General for Environmental Protection, was a Corporate Litigation Association, which handled complex commercial disputes if Federal and State courts for major corporations and federal agencies. From 1990 to 1992, she was an Adjunct Professor for Civil Rights Litigation and Legislation at Baruch College.
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins said Ms. Fuller’s extensive background would be valuable as we find ways to work with the State Human Rights Commission.
Ms. Fuller is currently the Chief Legal Officer of the Victim Services, Inc., serving victims and their families of crime and abuse. She oversees four legal divisions, corporate, government affairs, domestic violence law projects and immigration legal services.
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Mr. Wishnie said the County is very fortunate to have Ms. Fuller as the Chair of the Commission and wishes her well.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the appointment of Chevon Fuller, as a member of the Human Rights Commission is approved by a 6-0 vote.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD
Thomas M. Hughes: A resident of Yonkers, and the Associate Executive Director of Westchester ARC, has been appointed as a member of the Community Service Board by County Executive Spano.
Mr. Hughes oversees ARC, a social service agency serving approximately 1,500 persons with Developmental Disabilities, their families, group homes and preschoolers. He supervises all agency programs, financial, human resources, real estate and other business functions.
Mr. Hughes, has previously served on the Board with Mental Health Commissioner Steve Friedman and enjoyed the opportunity to work toward their concerns and issues regarding the disabled, as well as with those with other illnesses. He appreciates the opportunity to serve again and looks forward to a successful term.
On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the appointment of Thomas M. Hughes, as a member of the Community Services Board, is approved by a 6-0 vote.
The members had a brief discussion regarding staggered terms and expiration dates. Mrs. Schecter will provide the legislation that correctly states the protocol.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins.