COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007, AT 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: Swanson. Members: Bronz, Oros, Ryan. Staff: Vita.
GUESTS: Patricia Higgins O’Callaghan, Board of Ethics; James Herbster, Citizen Consumer Advisory council; Lucy Schmolka, Janet Walker, Women’s Advisory Board.
Mrs. Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:10, apologizing for her tardiness due to a prior meeting in her district.
APPOINTMENTS
BOARD OF ETHICS:
Patricia Higgins O’Callaghan: Is a resident of Pound Ridge, New York, and has been appointed by the County Executive as a member and the Chair of the County Board of Ethics, for a term to expire December 31, 2006. She is filling the vacancy and replacing Jeff Cohen who resigned to become a judge. Mrs. Swanson stated that Ms. O’Callaghan is also being reappointed to the same for the term January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.
Ms. O’Callaghan has chaired one meeting, and stated the members are a nice group of individuals, with diverse backgrounds and expertise, which serves the Board well. She has been employed with Westchester County for 20 years as Public Information Officer for the County Executive, Senior and Deputy County Attorney in the Law Department and currently as a Consultant in the Department of Social Services where she provides professional services regarding Child Fatality Review Team and the Multi-Disciplinary Team. She also served as the Director of District Office for Assemblyman John Perone of Port Chester New York.
When asked about the reform of financial disclosure forms, Ms. O’Callaghan mentioned that the Board has not come to a decision, and this was an issue that she will review and report back to the BOL. Mrs. Bronz asked if there should be a shorter form. Mr. Ryan offered the Board of Legislators’ assistance to make the forms less complicated. Mr. Oros mentioned the rules of gifts $75 and over, noting he would like clarification of the rules.
In compliance with the Laws of Westchester County pertaining to the Boards and Commissions, Mrs. Swanson asked what party was Ms. O’Callaghan was affiliated with and she replied the Republican Party. She thanked Ms. O’Callaghan for volunteering her time and welcomed her back to meet with the Committee with any issue. Ms. O’Callaghan looks forward to working together.
On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the appointment and reappointment of Ms. O’Callaghan as Member and Chair of the Board of Ethics is hereby approved. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 4-0.
CITIZEN’S CONSUMER ADVISORY COUNCIL:
James E. Herbster: Is a resident of Port Chester, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive as an Area 3 representative member for a term to expire December 31, 2007. He is replacing Jeffrey Marston who resigned. He has taken the oath of office and attended several meetings and finds them to be very interesting and educational.
He began his career as a Yacht builder and went onto various custom home building and carpentry contracting firms. He is currently the owner of Herbster Construction, specializing in Remodeling General Contracting. He is familiar with the policies and procedures of Consumer Protection. He received his degrees from S.U.N.Y.-Cortlandt and New York University, and he is a Board member of the Architectural Review in the Village of Port Chester.
On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros, the appointment is hereby approved by a vote of 3-0 (Ryan absent for vote). All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
WOMEN’S ADVISORY BOARD:
Lucy Schmolka: Is a resident of Armonk, New York, and has been appointed by the County Executive as an At-Large member for a term to expire December 31, 2008. She has a Master of Arts in Health Advocacy from Sarah Lawrence College and a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College. She is currently the Editor of Health Advocacy Bulletin at Sarah Lawrence College, Assistant Managing Editor of The American Girl Magazine (not related to the doll company) and she was a Patient Representative at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Ms. Schmolka currently volunteers at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, as well as a developer and coordinator in the Ambassador Program at White Plains Hospital Center, a member of the Scarsdale Auxiliary and a former member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Westchester Association for Retarded Citizens.
Mrs. Bronz was impressed with her well-diversified background and involvement with the numerous agencies she has worked with which will be an asset to the Board. Mrs. Swanson offered her open invitation to this Committee whenever there is an issue the BOL needs to address. Mr. Oros noted that the attendance of this Board, which is important, is at full compliment.
Ms. Schmolka is very interested in County government and would like to know it works and she would like to learn enough to make a significant contribution on the Board.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the appointment is hereby approved by a 3-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
Janet S. Walker: Is a resident of White Plains, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive as an At-Large member for a term to expire December 31, 2007. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Smith College majoring in History and her Masters from Manhattanville College mastering in Humanities. She is the Executive Director for the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association and has been involved in various community activities such as the Larchmont Avenue Church, Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center Board and she served as Vice President and Liaison to Tech Savy Girls on the Westchester Women’s Advisory Board.
Ms. Walker is familiar with the Board and its issues especially with children, which relates to her day job and she looks forward to continue to serve the County and provide education toward women’s issues.
Mrs. Swanson was impressed with her background and offered the open-door policy of this committee and looks forward to working with her in the future, and thanked her for volunteering her time.
On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the appointment is hereby approved by a 3-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
MINUTES
The minutes of Wednesday, February 7, 2007 were moved and approved by Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Bronz, by a 3-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
The next meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4 p.m.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by: Emilia Vita
Approved: 3/21/07
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