COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006; 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: Swanson. Members: Bronz, Oros, Pinto, Stewart-Cousins. Staff: Vita.
GUESTS: Carol Kope, Dennis Kremer-Rent Guidelines Board Applicants; Marie T. Rossi-Women’s Advisory Board; Donna Bernard-Request of Ethics Waiver; Linda Trentacosta-County Attorney’s Office.
Mrs. Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
ETHICS WAIVER
Donna Bernard: Was a former Westchester County employee of the Health Department for 23 years and retired in November 0f 2005. She requested a waiver from the County’s Code of Ethics section 883.21 (3)(i)(3) Consulting Services. She worked for the Deputy Commissioner of Health for Administration, Alyse Portera, who asked her to assist with writing the Health Department’s Pandemic Influenza Plan.
The request was sent to the County Attorney’s office for a draft Resolution, upon review of the request, Senior County Attorney, Linda Trentacosta alerted the Chair that Ms. Bernard is not a reporting officer, and therefore a request for a waiver is not necessary in this case. Ms. Bernard’s retirement is close to a year and she made an agreement with the Health Department not with the Board of Legislators, but she does, however, have to file an affidavit with the County Clerk.
The request was received and filed.
Mrs. Swanson thanked Ms. Trentacosta for taking time to explain the situation to the Committee.
RENT GUIDELINES BOARD
Legislator Bronz wanted to relay a statement from Legislator Abinanti when he asked why the Rent Guidelines Board applicants went to the Appointments Committee, and he would have preferred them to go to the Rules Committee. Mr. Abinanti was sent a history of all the Rent Guidelines Board applications and Resolutions and they were ALL send and reported out by the Committee on county Officers & Departments.
DENNIS KREMER:
He has been a resident of the County sine 1977, and he is a practicing CPA Partner with a Westchester based CPA firm and has no clients that are landlords of apartment buildings, no does he represent any tenant organizations. His managing partner owns the office building in Katonah, but this is commercial property.
Minutes Submitted by: Emilia Vita
Approved: 11/15/06
Mr. Kremer has been a practicing CPA since 1969, he graduated Queens College with a B.A. in accounting and 12 credits f economics courses. In 1972, he became a CPA in New York State and has an inactive reciprocal license to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and he has provided accounting, auditing, financial tax and profitability consulting to businesses, both public and private.
He currently advises privately-held and family-owned businesses, and served on various Boards and Commissions such as the Business Council of Westchester, The Westchester Medical Center Foundation, the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and he is also a non-voting member of the Westchester Medical Center Corporation Audit Committee. He said he is committed to serve the public trust and respect the honor that is bestowed upon the one who commits to do so.
Mrs. Swanson was impressed with Mr. Kremer’s good and stable financial background and asked about his flexibility to attend meetings, which meets quarterly in the Court House and with tenant concerns with high pricing. Mr. Pinto asked how he felt about the some-time volatile board meetings that erupt at their quarterly meetings. Mrs. Bronz asked about his posture and fairness with respect to market prices and community needs. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked if he was ever a homeowner, he replied no that his wife was an employee of North American Realty and their business was to turn apartments into co-ops.
Mr. Kremer replied to all and said his whole career is based upon fairness, even in his court-appointed position. He would also like to know the balance of issues and their main issue of concern at the Board.
Mrs. Swanson thanked Mr. Kremer for taking the time to answer the ad and coming in for an interview. She mentioned that there are other applicants to be interviewed and he will be contacted when a decision is made.
APPOINTMENTS
WOMEN’S ADVISORY BOARD:
Marie T. Rossi: Is a resident of Mount Kisco, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive as a District 2 Representative member for a term to expire December 31, 2007. She previously served as an At-Large member and she is currently the Chair of the Women’s Advisory Board.
As Chair of the board, Ms. Rossi said she takes her responsibility very serious when it comes to women, children and community affairs, domestic violence and affordable housing. One of the mandates of the Board is for each representative to know their legislator, and the need to make that interaction.
The Board meets every 3rd week of the month and they recess during the summer. The last seven years the Board of Legislators has been involved in the Martha Greenawalt mentoring program and has proved to be a successful program.
Ms. Rossi received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and her New York Teacher’s Certificate from the College of New Rochelle. Since 1978 to present, she has served as President of Organized Business Techniques, Inc., and Coordinator for Martha Greenawalt Mentoring Programs for Westchester, and she was the Founder of Women in Sales Association.
Mrs. Swanson thanked Ms. Rossi for volunteering her time and will notify her by mail of the committee’s decision.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment of Marie Rossi is approved by a 5-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
RENT GUIDELINES BOARD
Carol Kope: Is a life long resident of Westchester County and resides in Peekskill. She is currently a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, also based in Peekskill. She is a New York State Licensed sales Associate and Past President of the Westchester County Board of Realtors, Regional VP of the NYS Association of Realtors and President’s Liaison to Italy for the National Association of Realtors.
Ms. Kope has worked in various aspects of improving private property owner’s rights for the past twenty-one years. She would like to bring her expertise, knowledge and education to better serve the Rent Guidelines Board. She said she takes on what she can handle and can be flexible with her hours. She is a member and Past President of the Westchester County board of realtors and served on various committees including the Legislative Committee, Professional Standards Committee, Communications and Finance Committee.
Mrs. Swanson raised her concerns with her financial background, and Ms. Kope replied that she served on the Financial Committee, as she is great dissecting and cutting costs.
Mrs. Swanson thanked Ms. Kope for taking the time out of her busy schedule, and said there are others to be interviewed and she will be notified.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.
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