*MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, JULY 23, 2001
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Latimer, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Jeff Hanley, Ken Nilsen, Members of the Apartment Owners Advisory Council; Glenn Blain, Reporter-Journal News; Bill Randolph, CE Liaison; Marc Fenichel, CE Intern.
Mrs. LaMotte reconvened the meeting at 4:10 p.m.
The minutes of June 25th and July 16th were approved as amended on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins. The minutes of July 9th were approved as amended on the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Swanson. Motion carried 6-0.
Police Advisory Board:
Dr. Guilio Cavallo, M.D.: A resident of Bronxville was reappointed by the County Executive to serve on the Police Advisory Board for a term to expire on December 31, 2003.
Mr. Lawrence O. Graham, Esq.,: A resident of Chappaqua was reappointed by the County Executive to serve on the Police Advisory Board for a term to expire on December 31, 2003.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Young, both appointments were approved by a 6-0 vote.
Mrs. LaMotte presented a letter from Minority Leader Paul Noto asking this Committee to investigate the County Executive’s creation of a temporary job within his Administration for a County employee running for a Legislative seat.
*APPROVED: 7/30/01; VJP/CIY.
Mr. Young feels this letter has no merit to pursue and noted that no other issue such as this has ever come before this Committee for review and feels that this is a political move and should not be discussed.
Mrs. Swanson feels that if the position were not available in Economic Development, she would like to know and stated it was this Committee’s obligation to investigate abuse of the system.
Mrs. LaMotte said there are underlying concerns for review of this issue and will research the matter further.
African American Advisory Board:
Dr. Valiere Alcena, M.D.: A resident of White Plains, has been appointed to the African American Advisory Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31,2002. For 23 years, Dr. Alcena has practiced medicine in White Plains in various facilities and hospitals throughout Westchester. He is presently the Associate President of Medicine at Montefiore and Albert Einstein, as well as Chief of Staff at St. Agnes Hospital for Medicine and Oncology.
He is a community minded person and being that this Board deals with issues of the black community, as well as others, he feels he can offer his time for the less fortunate. He stressed that the County must focus more on health education for the less fortunate. He recently attended a forum with various County leaders and looked at the profile of the Health Department, and said there is a need for minorities in management positions. He stressed the crisis of various illnesses and diseases within the black community and the lack of education. He stressed the need to send qualified, as well as Spanish speaking physicians into communities to teach health education to the men and women and keep them abreast of what is available to them.
Mr. Young has been working with Dr. Alcena on several issues in Minority Affairs.
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins can understand why Dr. Alcena was invited to serve of the Advisory Board and appreciates his energy, commitment and extensive background to help those less fortunate. She would also like to hear any recommendations to the Health Department that would assist them to meet the needs of today.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the appointment of Dr. Alcena was approved by a 6-0 vote.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Pinto.