Jan. 20, 2012 -- Legislator Bernice Spreckman of Yonkers has accepted two appointments by County Executive Robert P. Astorino as chairperson of the Westchester County Council for Seniors and its federal counterpart, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
Commissioner Mae Carpenter of the Department of Senior Programs and Services made the recommendation for Legislator Spreckman to serve in these new positions. The terms of both appointments run through 2015.
In making the new appointments, Astorino recognized the vital role that Legislator Spreckman has played in ensuring the welfare of Westchester's seniors.
"Bernice has long been Westchester's number one advocate for seniors," said Astorino. "As chair of the Council on Seniors and the Aging Advisory Council, she will be able to continue in that role. I look forward to being able to continue to work with Bernice to serve the needs of our seniors."
Commissioner Carpenter said, "The Westchester County Council for Seniors and its federal counterpart the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council are both very active and engaged councils which have been meeting with Legislator Spreckman's committee every month for a number of years. Legislator Spreckman has been an excellent partner to these committees and we are thrilled to have that relationship formalized by the County Executive."
Commissioner Carpenter added, "I believe the important functions that these councils have served for Westchester's seniors will be greatly enhanced through the leadership of Legislator Spreckman."
The Westchester Aging Network Coalitions that consist of the councils, providers, educators, seniors and community leaders submitted 97 Resolutions to the White House Conference on Aging held last in 2005 and every 10 years. Westchester's resolutions made the first 50 and the top 10 resolutions that set the national agenda for seniors for the next 10 years. The first White House Conference on Aging in 1960 led to the passage of the Older Americans Act establishing the federal, state and local units on aging in 1965 along with passage of the Medicaid and Medicare legislations in 1965.
For the last 15 years, Legislator Spreckman has served as the chairperson of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Generational, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Committee that included services to seniors. This committee met jointly with other Aging Network groups monthly. That committee was eliminated by board Chairman, Legislator Ken Jenkins at the beginning of the legislative term. The Department of Senior Programs and Services looks forward to meeting regularly with the newly formed Community Services BOL Committee.
Legislator Spreckman enthusiastically accepted the County Executives appointments and said, "I am honored and humbled by the County Executive's request that I continue my service to our county's seniors in these new positions. Advocacy for seniors has been a hallmark of my public service for decades and I believe I will be able to do more now than ever because of my partnership with the administration through the Council for Seniors and the Aging Advisory Council."
Legislator Spreckman added, "My initial discussions with Commissioner Carpenter have been very productive and we have already outlined a number of initiatives that we will be working on together. I will continue to work with our senior population to help them find ways to deal with issues like escalating prescription costs and their home heating and energy bills."
One of the first projects that Spreckman will undertake as chair is to serve as co-host with Commissioner Carpenter at the Annual Legislative Speak-Out for Seniors on Jan. 27, at the Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains from 9 – 11:30 a.m.
The Speak-Out is a special opportunity to advocate for aging services. All elected county, state and federal officials have been invited, and participants will be able to ask them questions on topics that range from Social Security to health care reform, taxes and mental health services.