COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, March 15, 2006; 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chair: Swanson. Members: Bronz, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Stewart-Cousins. Staff: Vita, Boland. CEO’s office: Randolph.
GUESTS: Joseph Tomaino, Nominee-Westchester Health Care Corporation.
Mrs. Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
MINUTES
January 25, 2006: moved by Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Oros. Motion carried 5-0.
February 2, 2006: moved by Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Bronz. Motion carried 5-0.
WESTCHESTER HEALTH CARE CORPORATION
Joseph Tomaino is a resident of Yorktown Heights and has been recommend by Minority Leader, George Oros. Mr. Tomaino has served as a non-voting member of the WCHCC for a year and has been present during the transition of Mary Brown to Michael Israel, who, accordingly to Mr. Tomaino, is more aggressive by having a more openly public dialogue and he sees the governance of the hospital beginning to improve.
Mr. Oros mentioned Mr. Tomaino's extensive background as a health care professional, a nursing professor, and as a current member of the hospital board now qualifies him for a voting position and he will bring a lot to the table. John Heimerdinger, another hospital board member, who highly recommended him as a voting member during his interview with the COD committee in November 2005, also recommended Mr. Tomaino.
Mr. Pinto asked about the attendance of the Board meetings. Mr. Tomaino replied that attendance has been low and it has been difficult to vote for important issues that come before the board. As non-voting member, he attends all meetings and has been involved with issues such as strategic planning and financing, which he is familiar with as an accounting firm employed him affiliated with health care, which there is no conflict.
Minutes submitted by: Emilia Vita
Approved:
Mrs. Swanson asked if Mr. Tomaino has taken a tour of the hospital and if there are any issues that this committee needed to be aware of. He has toured the main building and the children's hospital and the Taylor Care Unit, which is a little problem-child as far as bed capacity, but Mr. Israel has taken full charge of the situation and the problem should be resolved shortly.
Mr. Ryan asked about the PITTS Contract, which expires in the next few weeks and asked what his feeling was regarding its administration. Mr. Tomaino mentioned the contracts should be discussed shortly as son as there is a full compliment on the Board. He mentioned that since the closed of United Hospital in Port Chester, people have no place to go and he would like to see another health care center established in the Port Chester area.
Mrs. Swanson thanked Mr. Tomaino for his time and appreciated his enlightening discussion. She mentioned there are others to be interviewed for this position and he will be notified by phone of the decision.
Mr. Ryan recommended the nomination of Herman Geist as a voting member of the WCHHC Board of Directors as well. He commented that Mr. Tomaino has an excellent background as well as Mr. Geist. Mr. Ryan mentioned that Herman Geist is one the best nominees for this vacant position. He has history and he is attentive to the needs of the hospital and the people as well. The Hospital Board is experience problems with getting a full quorum for monthly meetings and a full quorum is essential to vote on important issues, especially when contracts need to be negotiated.
Mr. Ryan asked the Committee Chair to schedule the current nominees for the Health Care Corporation by the next Board meeting for confirmation. The other nominees that were interviewed by the COD Committee in November and December of 2005 need not come in for an additional interview.
He also asked if the members would block out a time to speak to their respective caucus and report the findings of this committee with regard to these nominees and report two (2) new voting members out to the full BOL on March 27th. All agreed that the two candidates discussed today are wasted talent as non-voting members and will be highly considered for one of the positions available.
RE APPOINTMENT
PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION BOARD:
Hopeton White: a resident of Elmsford, New York was reappointed by the CE to serve a term from January 1, 1006 to December 31, 2008. He has an excellent attendance record and comes highly recommended by Legislator Pinto, who also serves on this Board.
The Committee approves this re-appointment on the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros. Motion carried 6-0.
The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 4 p.m.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Oros.
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