COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007, AT 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: Swanson. Members: Bronz, Jenkins, Oros, Pinto, Ryan. Staff: Vita.
GUESTS: Geneive Brown-Metzger; African American Advisory Board; Sandra Reyes-Guerra, Soil & Water Conservation Board of Directors; Michael Romita, PRC Board. William Randolph, CEO’s office.
Mrs. Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m., welcoming new member Ken Jenkins, Legislator, District # 16.
APPOINTMENTS
AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD:
Geneive Brown-Metzger: Is a resident of Cortlandt Manor, New York, and has been appointed by the County Executive as a member, for a term to expire December 31, 2007. She is filling the vacancy due to the resignation of Elizabeth Hemingway.
Ms. Metzger noted she has attended meetings of the Board prior to her appointment and recently they had a successful Black History Month Celebration. She said it is a privilege and welcomes the opportunity to serve as an active participate. For 30 years Ms. Metzger has working in public relations, corporate communications and international affairs. She is the Founder and President of Geneive Brown Associates, since 1984, which is a public relations agency serving clients in the United States, the Caribbean and South Africa. Her creative and customized programs have earned her industry recognition; and she has held executive positions in public affairs and government relations with the NAACP, American Civil Liberties Union and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). As an active community leader, Ms. Brown-Metzger has divided her volunteerism efforts between the arts and workforce housing issues. She is a Trustee of the Paramount Center for the Arts, and a board member of the Interfaith Action Council in Ossining.
Mrs. Bronz is accustomed to seeing Ms. Brown Metzger at several meetings and well-known events and recommends her highly, and said she will be an asset to the Board. She is also well known to Mr. Oros as an active member of the Peekskill community and is familiar with her work and he, too, highly recommends her appointment.
Legislator Pinto asked to keep the BOL posted on activities, and she mentioned that the annual fundraiser at the Paramount will feature Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons on June 20th.
Mrs. Swanson thanked her for her time and asked that she keep open communications with this committee and is always welcomed to discuss any issue the Board would like to share.
On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the appointment is hereby approved. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 5-0.
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Sandra Reyes-Guerra: Is a resident of Tuckahoe, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive as member for a term to expire December 31, 2009. He is replacing Phyllis Wittner, due to her resignation. He has taken the oath of office and attended several meetings and finds them to be very interesting and educational.
He is a NYS Licensed Landscape Architect and Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects since 1995. He is also and employee of Divney, Tung, Schwalbe, LLP, which is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm in White Plains, as a landscape architect with responsibilities including involvement in design, coordination, preparation and submission of site plan approval/SERA approval documents and associated site and environmental permits.
Although this Board is not a policy-making Board, it acts as a supportive Board for the Planning Department. They are currently working on an invasive plant manual, which is a companion to a previous one. It has been distributed to all municipalities; to leach them about invasive plants, what to look for care and maintenance, and the Board recommends to the municipal maintenance workers how to maintain on properties. He mentioned that there are reviews of erosion control and how to keep it stabilized. They are also working with a Girl Scout troop about various environmental issues.
All members were impressed with Ms. Guerra’s expertise and background. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the appointment is approved by a 5-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed.
PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION BOARD:
Michael N. Romita: Is a resident of New Rochelle, New York, and has been appointed by the County Executive as member for a term to expire December 31, 2007. He is replacing Peter Herrero due to his resignation. He has a B.S. Degree in Geology from Tuft’s University, Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan and an LLM in Environmental Law from the London School of Economics.
He is the Executive Vice President of Castle Power LLC, where he is responsible for the management of the company-wide business operations, and President of Castle Power LLC, a natural gas subsidiary. He also serves on the board of directors of the National Oilheat Research Alliance and the Independent Fuel Terminal Operators Association. He previously practiced law and litigation, served as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice Special Achievement Award.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Oros, the appointment is hereby approved by a 5-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
REAPPOINTMENTS:
The following reappointments were approved on the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Pinto by a 5-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried:
Cora Miles-African American Advisory Board;
Winston A. Ross-African American Advisory Board;
Mae Williams-African American Advisory Board;
Carolyn Pellot-Citizen’s Consumer Advisory Council;
Scott T. Moore-Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.
The reappointment of Peter W. Bonhag, Refuse Disposal District #1 Advisory Board; is pending review of attendance. Mr. Randolph was asked to check his attendance records and report back to committee with his findings.
AGENDA ITEMS:
The following Designation of Deputies were received and filed on the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Pinto by a 5-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried:
Designation of Deputies for the Office of the Westchester County Clerk;
Department of Budget; and Department of Social Services.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 4 p.m., at which time all applicants for the Rent Guidelines Board will be discussed.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by: Emilia Vita
Approved: 3/21/07
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