The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Tuesday, October 1, 2002, at 1:00 PM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Robert Veazey, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Robert Veazey, Chair; Frank Carlton, Finnell Fields, Dr. Abby Marlatt, Pete McNeill, Jean Phelps, Esther Rigby, Jeane Robertson, and Jack Wines.
LRC Staff: Emily Bottoms, Katie Carney, Eric Clark, Gerard Donovan, Gilmore Dutton, John Snyder, and David Thomas.
Guests: Nancy Carlton.
Chairperson Veazey welcomed the members and staff to the Executive Committee meeting and announced that Vice Chairperson Bishop was released from the hospital that morning after having coroted artery surgery.
Chairperson Veazey stated that the purpose of the Executive Committee meeting was to review agendas for the Commission’s general sessions on Thursday and Friday, November 7-8, 2002, and the subcommittee meetings on November 7-8, 2002.
The minutes of the April 11, 2002, Executive Committee meeting were approved as amended.
Chairperson Veazey directed the members attention to several documents contained in their meeting folders: minutes of the April 11, 2002, Executive Committee meeting; updated membership lists; a listing of newly-appointed members; two resolutions in memory of deceased members; and a proposed agenda for the November 7-8, 2002, full Commission meeting.
Chairperson Veazey read a resolution in memory of Charles E. Fisher. The Committee adopted the resolution with a copy being sent to Mrs. Irene Ison Fisher. Chairperson Veazey then read a resolution in memory of James V. Stokley. The Committee adopted the resolution with a copy being sent to Mrs. Shirley Stokley.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Gilmore Dutton for a report on the special activities planned for the Commission’s 25th anniversary meeting on November 7-8, 2002. Mr. Dutton announced that the invitation list included all living, former members of the Commission; all living members of the 1977 Legislative Research Commission; a representative from the four statewide appointing authorities; a representative from the 15 Area Development Districts; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House; four members of the Legislative Research Commission’s executive staff; Larry Hayes, Senator Joseph Prather’s Chief of Staff; Mr. Bill Miller; Ms. Naomi Kitchen; and Mrs. Vic Hellard. Mr. Dutton announced the time of the reception would be at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, in the Caucus Room of the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza, the dinner would be at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza. Senator Prather would be the dinner speaker, Mr. Bill Miller will make a special presentation to Ms. Ellen Hellard, and a special presentation will be made to Ms. Gayle Lawson for being the only charter member currently on the Commission.
Dr. Marlatt asked if there would be any special recognition to the former members that would not be able to attend the reception and dinner. Dr. Marlatt suggested a printed certificate recognizing them for their past involvement with the Commission.
Chairperson Veazey asked if a list of former members that were not present could be prepared and placed at each table. Mr. Dutton said that the staff could prepare lists of former members that are present and are not present at the reception and dinner.
Chairperson Veazey thanked Gilmore Dutton, Katie Carney, and the rest of the LRC staff that have helped with the preparation of the Commission’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Jeane Robertson asked what subcommittees the two newly-appointed members were placed on. She was informed that Ms. Daisy Howard Williams was placed on the Insurance Subcommittee, Ms. Dorothy Laganosky was placed on the Transportation Subcommittee, and Mr. Kenneth Overhults was moved to the Taxation Subcommittee.
Jeane Robertson asked if guests coming to the anniversary celebration could wear a flower. Mr. Dutton replied saying that each special guest will have a colored ribbon on his or her name badge.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Gilmore Dutton for a review of the Commission’s general sessions and subcommittee meetings on November 7-8, 2002. The General Session on Thursday, November 7, will be condensed to a half-hour and the subcommittee meetings will be condensed to an hour and forty-five minutes. The reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the dinner at 6:00 p.m. The times for Friday’s meetings will remain the same.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Mr. Frank Carlton, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion of the recommendations from the May 2002 meeting;
(2) Speakers to talk about predatory lending on Thursday, November 7; and
(3) An open discussion of issues on Friday, November 8.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Ms. Jeane Robertson, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion of the recommendations from the May 2002 meeting;
(2) Representative Susan Westrom and Senator Dick Roeding discussing senior prescription drug issues;
(3) Bernie Vonderheide speaking on nursing home reform; and
(4) A review the progress of the Long-Term Care Task Force that was established in 2000.
A suggestion was made to see how many members of the Commission have supplemental health and/or supplemental prescription drug coverage.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Ms. Emily Bottoms, Staff for the Insurance Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) Representatives from State Farm Insurance and KY Farm Bureau Insurance to speak about home owner’s policies; and
(2) A representative from the Department of Insurance’s Consumer Protection and Education Division to outline all the services they offer to senior citizens.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Mr. Jack Wines, Chairman of the Taxation Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion of the recommendations from the May 2002 meeting.
Mr. Wines mentioned his interest in adding to the agenda information about an additional tax on cigarettes. He mentioned that Kentucky is currently ranked first or second in the nation as having the lowest tax on cigarettes. Mr. Wines expressed his interest in having more time during the subcommittee meetings to discuss the information presented by the various speakers.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Ms. Esther Rigby, Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) Dwayne Thomas, Department of Highways;
(2) Steve Hill with Rocal Inc, a manufacturer of highway signage and markings;
(3) An update from staff on the useful field of view program;
(4) Information about automatic reporting of automobile insurance; and
(5) An update of legislation that has been prefiled for the 2003 Regular Session of the General Assembly pertaining to transportation issues.
Mr. Finnell Fields stated that he believes one of the number one problems with transportation issues is the accessibility of public transportation for low-income elderly people. Ms. Rigby added to the comment that rural public transportation is also an issue.
Mr. Robert Veazey stated that he would like to know more information about All Terrain Vehicle deaths.
Ms. Jeane Robertson mentioned North Carolina’s DUI ignition interlock system for offenders. Mr. John Snyder stated that Kentucky currently has a program in place that is used for DUI offenders on their second offense.
Chairperson Veazey announced that the 2003 Regular Session of the General Assembly would convene in January. Chairperson Veazey reiterated a comment made by Tip O’Neal, a former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, that all politics is local.
Chairperson Veazey recognized Gilmore Dutton for a review of the Commission’s mission. Mr. Dutton referred to the first set of by-laws created by the Commission that stated the mission of the Commission is to receive and consider issues, to develop procedures for the consideration of these issues, and to develop methods to transmit the issues to the Kentucky General Assembly. The Commission was created to advise members of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Mr. Finnell Fields and Ms. Jeane Robertson both asked questions regarding the Commission’s mission. Their concerns were if they could lobby the General Assembly as an individual or with another organization. Mr. Dutton replied that they could.
Chairperson Veazey and Esther Rigby both made comments regarding the mission of the Commission as stated in the current by-laws. The by-laws state that not only is the Commission to consider issues relating to senior citizens, but also issues relating to all citizens in the state of Kentucky.
Chairperson Veazey stated he had asked Mr. Dutton to distribute copies of recommendations that the Commission has adopted over the last ten years to the subcommittee staff to identify the status and progress of each recommendation.
Mr. Frank Carlton introduced his wife, Nancy, who accompanied him to the meeting and had a guided tour of the Capitol.
Chairperson Veazey announced that Election Day is November 5, the next full meeting of the Commission will be held on November 7-8, 2002, and the next meeting will be held on May 8-9, 2003.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.