Janice Tinsley-Colbert has lived on Long Island for over 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Lycoming College in Williamsport Pennsylvania. While working full-time, Janice earned her law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1992. She is a member of the bar in both New York State and Washington DC.
Janice Tinsley-Colbert began her career in public service when she was appointed by Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer to be his Legislative Aide in 1999. Her duties included work with constituents, representing the Supervisor in meetings with elected officials and community groups, and issue research. Ms. Tinsley Colbert represented the town in her work with the North Amityville Weed and Seed Program, a community renewal funded with federal, state and town funds to improve the quality of life in that community. Several merchants and property owners brought their properties into compliance with town code regulations with Janice's guidance.
On November 2, 1999 Janice Tinsley-Colbert became the first African-American elected to office in the history of Babylon Town. This past November, she was successfully re-elected to serve a second two-year term as Babylon Town Clerk. Ms. Tinsley-Colbert is responsible for the proper maintenance and archiving of all town records. Her office issues state and town licenses and permits and Ms. Tinsley-Colbert serves as the Marriage Officer for the Town of Babylon.
Janice has used her office as an elected official to influence young people to become involved in civic affairs. In her first term as Town Clerk, she established a paid internship program in town government for minority high school students. Local businesses and minority charity organizations fund the program's activities and modest salaries. A key mission of the program designed and organized by Ms. Tinsley-Colbert is the development of a mentoring relationship between the interns and governmental department heads and other decision makers. Working with and for a mentor, young men and women get a clear understanding of what is expected from them in a professional working environment.
Janice has also focused her efforts to fight illiteracy in Suffolk County. Working with the local Literacy Volunteer organization, she has raised money to attack the problem of illiteracy in the community. As Town Clerk, her work to benefit Literacy Volunteers has raised awareness of the problem and its solution in Babylon Town.
Janice and her husband are active members of their church. They serve as leaders-in-training for Marriage Ministries International. Ms. Tinsley-Colbert is a past member of the Board of Directors for her church's Youth Outreach Council, a Mentoring program for youth deemed "at risk". She is a member of the National Bar association, the New York Bar Association and Amistad, the association of African-American attorneys in Suffolk County.
Janice Tinsley-Colbert has lived on Long Island for over 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Lycoming College in Williamsport Pennsylvania. While working full-time, Janice earned her law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1992. She is a member of the bar in both New York State and Washington DC.
