The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Wednesday, April 2, 2003, 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; Joe Bishop, Frank Carlton, Finnell Fields, Phil Hulsman, Jean Phelps, Jeane Robertson, and Ray Roundtree.
Guests: Nancy Carlton.
LRC Staff: Katie Carney, Eric Clark, Gilmore Dutton, Rhonda Franklin, Lou Pierce, and John Snyder.
Chairman Veazey welcomed the members, staff, and guests to the Executive Committee meeting. Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Bishop on his recovery from coroted artery surgery last October.
Chairman Veazey stated that the purpose of the Executive Committee meeting was to review agendas for the Commission’s general sessions on Thursday and Friday, May 8-9, 2003, and the subcommittee meetings on May 8-9, 2003.
Mr. Frank Carlton moved to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2002, Executive Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Joe Bishop. The minutes were approved.
Ms. Jean Phelps announced that Mr. Phillip Martin, a new member on the Commission, recently underwent bypass surgery and is recovering satisfactorily. Ms. Phelps mentioned that Mr. Martin is retired from the Cumberland Valley Area Development District and is looking forward to coming to the upcoming May meeting.
Chairman Veazey announced that Mr. Virgil Mefford passed away last November and that a resolution in his memory is on the agenda to be adopted at the May Commission meeting. He asked members to contact staff or himself whenever a member passes away so that letters of condolence can be sent to the family on a timely basis, and resolutions can be drafted for adoption at the next meeting.
Chairman Veazey directed the members attention to several documents contained in their meeting folders, namely: minutes of the October 1, 2002, Executive Committee meeting; updated membership lists; a listing of newly-appointed members; and a proposed agenda for the May 8-9, 2003, full Commission meeting.
Mr. Frank Carlton announced that he would be resigning from the Commission after the May meeting. He and his wife, Nancy, will be moving to Eugene, Oregon in June to be closer to their children.
Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Gilmore Dutton for a review of the agenda for the Commission’s general sessions on May 8-9, 2003. Mr. Dutton announced that the speaker for the general session on Thursday will be Ms. Debby Giannini, a Business Development Officer, Kentucky Tourism Development Cabinet. Ms. Giannini will report on the Kentucky Certified Retirement Community Program. Mr. Dutton announced that the speaker for the Thursday evening session will be Dr. Doug Moseley. Dr. Moseley is a Methodist Minister, Former Kentucky State Senator (1974-1986), and author. The topic of Dr. Moseley’s program will be “There is No Life Without Humor”. Mr. Dutton also announced that the Taxation Subcommittee will hold an election for Vice Chair in accordance with the Commission’s by-laws. Mr. Dutton stated that the rest of the agenda will be made up of standard items, with the exception that a resolution in memory of Virgil Mefford will be offered during Thursday’s afternoon general session.
Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Gilmore Dutton for a report on dinner service and menu options for May 8’s dinner meeting. Mr. Dutton asked the members’ opinion on having a plated meal versus a buffet line. Ms. Jean Phelps stated that there is an advantage to a plated meal because of the number of disabled people on the Commission. Mr. Joe Bishop made a motion that dinner be served buffet style, seconded by Mr. Finnell Fields. During discussion of the motion Ms. Jeane Robertson offered an amendment requiring dinner to be served buffet style during one of the two yearly Commission meetings, with the dinner meal served plated style during the other.
Mr. Dutton stated that with a plated meal there would only be two entrees and one vegetable and desert, whereas on a buffet there would be three entrees, and a selection of vegetables, salads, and deserts to choose from. Ms. Phelps reiterated that having the dinner meal served plated style would not only cut down on time receiving the meal but also that it would be easier for disabled people who could stay at their seats instead of maneuvering through a crowd to get to the buffet line. Ms. Robertson withdrew her amendment to Mr. Bishop’s motion. Upon a call for the question, discussion ceased and the motion was voted upon and defeated. Ms. Phelps moved, seconded by Mr. Carlton, to have all of the Commission’s dinner meals served plated style. The motion carried. Mr. Dutton reiterated that the menu choices would be combinations of fish, foul, or beef. Mr. Dutton asked members if fish as one of the two entrees would be acceptable. Everyone agreed that fish would be fine as a menu option.
Chairman Veazey and Mr. Bishop agreed that last November’s 25th Anniversary meeting was a success and very elegant. Both men thanked the staff for the job they did in making it a success.
Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Frank Carlton, Chair of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion on predatory lending;
(2) A discussion on the redistribution of telemarketing fees;
(3) Mr. Richard Lawrence discussing torte reform;
(4) Ms. Nora McCormick, Cabinet for Families and Children, discussing guardianships; and
(5) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Chairman Veazey recognized Ms. Jeane Robertson, Chair of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) Ms. Marcia Morgan, Secretary, Cabinet for Health Services, discussing the impact of Medicaid’s Budget on Senior Care, and the overall impact of the Cabinet for Health Services Budget on Senior Care; and
(2) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Ray Roundtree, Chair of the Insurance Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) Mr. Glenn Jennings, Deputy Secretary, Department of Insurance, discussing potential legislative proposals of the Department of Insurance pertaining to concerns of the subcommittee;
(2) Mr. Mack Bushart, Commissioner, Department of Vehicle Regulations, Transportation Cabinet, discussing current enforcement of the requirement for motor vehicle liability insurance, and potential legislation to aid enforcement;
(3) An open discussion of the federal budget for 2004 as it relates to Medicare coverage of seniors’ prescription drug costs; and
(4) An update of legislation passed during the 2003 session of the General Assembly pertaining to concerns of the subcommittee.
Chairman Veazey recognized Mr. Lou Pierce, Staff for the Taxation Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s May agenda would include a discussion on tax reform including cigarette and alcohol taxes.
Chairman Veazey recognized Ms. Jean Phelps, Vice Chair of the Transportation Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion on programs to facilitate senior mobility and independence;
(2) A representative of the Kentucky Public Transportation Association, discussing the unique nature of public transportation and how transit authorities are working to overcome barriers to effective service;
(3) A representative of KIPDA, discussing a program which allows in-home care givers to be reimbursed for transporting their senior clients;
(4) An update on the reauthorization of the Federal Highway and Transportation spending plans; and
(5) An update on transportation related legislation from the recently completed 2003 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Chairman Veazey asked if there is any other business to come before the committee. Mr. Roundtree stated that with the Governor’s race this fall individual correspondence regarding senior issues needs to be sent to candidates. Mr. Roundtree stated that there is a growing senior population and that senior issues need to have a higher profile.
Mr. Bishop stated that senior citizens do a lot of voting.
Ms. Robertson suggested the gubernatorial candidates come to one of the General Sessions of the Committee and give their individual platform on senior citizen issues.
Chairman Veazey observed that the voting percentage for senior citizens’ is high. Chairman Veazey stated that all of us are activists in our community and that more people need to become activists; however, as a member of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens we need to be aware that our mission is to be advisors, and not proponents of either legislation or political candidates.
Chairman Veazey announced the next meeting of the full Commission will be held May 8-9, 2003, followed by a meeting of the full Commission on November 6-7, 2003.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.