COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFICERS & DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2000
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Oros, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Richard Wishnie, Legislator, 9th District; Larry Schwartz, Chief Administrator-CE; Patrick Kelly, Emergency Medical Services Commissioner appointee; Joshua Lipsman, Health Commissioner appointee; Eugene Conroy, Human rights Commission appointee; Dally Sanchez, Youth Board Appointee.
Mrs. Swanson said Mr. Kelly has been very accessible within every community and has made every effort to support and lend a hand to make it known that he is available to address concerns of the County’s need for proper emergency services and public safety.
Mr. Kelly said he has not yet resolved the makeup of the Fire Advisory Board, but most members will remain and very few changes. The list of the EMS Advisory Board will soon be available.
Revised: 6-26-00/UGL
*APPROVED 6/26/00; VJP/CIY; 5-0
Mrs. LaMotte asked Mr. Kelly if he has come up with new ideas for recruitment. Mr. Kelly said he is reviewing the matter.
Mr. Oros, impressed with Mr. Kelly’s record and enthusiasm, said he is very pleased to have a professional heading the Center.
When Mrs. Swanson asked about tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters, Mr. Kelly said there was an incentive in Maryland that was used to give the minimum tax deduction. He would review the same, if it were feasible for Westchester County.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Pinto, Patrick T. Kelly is approved as Commissioner of Emergency Services by a 7-0 vote.
Dr. Joshua Lipsman: Attended Universities in North Carolina, Minnesota, Chicago and Medical school at Albert Einstein, in the Bronx. He practiced Family Medicine at County Hospital in Minnesota, then worked for three years on an Indian Reservation. He then became interested in public health and received his Masters in Public Health. He was offered the opportunity to serve as the Director of Health for seven years in Alexandria, Virginia, before he became the Executive Director of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Center. Because AIDS is a high priority health issue, Dr. Lipsman found it a privilege to work there. While employed he had many advantages to help the institution, professionally and financially, but was unsuccessful, and therefore he parted amicably with the Administration.
In general, Dr. Lipsman is looking for significant public health challenges to address. He feels he can serve Westchester County’s needs with diversity and variety. He also feels that Westchester is committed to its residents and has the resources to be successful.
The Committee members asked several questions, but were particularly concerned about his relationship with the Alexandria Health Department and asked what the problem was that made him leave.
Dr. Lipsman mentioned that there were major health issues that needed significant attention and funding which was not readily available. Westchester County, too, has significant issues to deal with, but there is support to address these issues. He said there are many issues to address and he will do so with the best intentions for Westchester County.
After a brief discussion, Legislators asked to move into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mrs. LaMotte said there were other candidates to interview before the committee continues with other business.
Eugene Conroy: A resident of Waccabuc and well known to all Legislators, said that the Commission is not polished enough and implementation may be difficult to meet its July 1st deadline. The makeup of the Commission is good, but he will make some recommendations before his one-year appointment is over, but there is a lot to be done. One concern is “probable cause”, which is a matter of policy and procedure that need to be reviewed.
Mr. Oros said that the Executive Director Mr. Zirowski, who also serves as counsel, will need to come up with practical ways to resolve cases and is please that Mr. Conroy will share his knowledge of expertise with the Committee.
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins was also pleased that Mr. Conroy shares his expertise while serving on the Commission, with all it’s many different levels and looks forward to working together successfully.
On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Young, the appointment of Eugene F. Conroy as a member of the Human Rights Commission is approved by a 7-0 vote.
Dally M. Sanchez: A resident of Yonkers, 19-year-old single mother and a Westchester Community College student. Besides being a single mother and a full time student, she volunteers as a Youth Advocate, at the Yonkers Youth Forum, which is a youth group designed for emotionally disabled children within the system.
Ms. Sanchez was recently upgraded as a Youth Advocate and would like to focus on day care programs for children. She mentioned that she is on a waiting list for day care for her child at the Community College and has to pay $75.00 to be on that waiting list. She would like to make this issue a priority and focus on programs for the emotionally disturbed children in the County as well.
On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the appointment of Dally M. Sanchez as a member of the Youth Board was approved by a 7-0 vote.
Mrs. Schecter reported that she spoke with Mr. Joseph Pecora, regarding his allegations of harassment at the Peekskill Treatment Plant. Mr. Pecora spoke to Mr. Nick Longo, a supervisor at the Plant, who told Mr. Pecora that there was no harassment at the plant. Mr. Pecora has a tape of the conversation and wants to meet with Commissioner Landi to discuss that situation at the plant. He has witnessed many wrongdoings at the plant, and nothing has been done or reported. He has no union representation and was placed on leave as of February 1, 2000 and received a letter of termination.
Mrs. LaMotte feels this is a personnel matter and inquired if the proper policy and procedures are being followed and what steps has the union or the administration taken to review to situation.
Mr. Wishnie suggests the COD Committee contact the County Attorney and ask for his opinion and response.
The Committee moved into Executive Session at 5:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, on the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Young. None opposed, motion carried 7-0.
The Committee moved out of Executive Session at 5:45 p.m., on the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto. Motion carried 7-0.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.