COUNTY OF ERIE, PA

Dr. Kyle Foust,

District 5

Erie County Council

Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street, Room 114
Erie, Pennsylvania 16501-1081

October 7, 2016
Mrs. Kathy Dahlkemper, County Executive
140 West 6th Street, Room 504
Erie, PA 16501
Dear Mrs. Dahlkemper:
I am deeply concerned with your recent visit to the Human Relations Commission (HRC) offices during nonbusiness hours, alone, uninvited, and unannounced to view their office space. The HRC is an office that handles
legal matters. Who knows what information is in view that is none of your business. Also, because you didnt
communicate with anyone, you had no way of knowing if a conveniently arranged private conference was being
held between the Executive Director and someone filing a complaint or giving a deposition. It wouldnt be
unusual for such a conference to be held on a Saturday morning to meet the needs of clients. Nevertheless, you
decided on your own to secure entry into the office unannounced by having property maintenance open the door.
To most, whether your visit for was five minutes or five hours, to ensure your visit would not be intrusive and
questioned, you should not have entered the office under your own authority.
Ten days prior to this incident, County Council formally declined to move the HRC offices. What good would
your visit done at that time given that reality? With all the important matters you have to deal with as County
Executive, I have a hard time believing that viewing office space is something that deserves your attention. As
the County Executive, no matter what prerogatives you may have under the Home Rule Charter, you will do well to
steer clear of any bureaus supervised by County Council during off hours unless formally invited by Council to do
otherwise.

Telephone: (814) 451-6303

Dr. Kyle Foust,
District 5

Douglas R. Smith, County Clerk

Fax: (814) 451-6350

COUNTY OF ERIE, PA

Erie County Council

Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street, Room 114
Erie, Pennsylvania 16501-1081

October 7, 2016
Mrs. Kathy Dahlkemper, County Executive
Page Two
Im also concerned this may not be an isolated incident. Have you visited other offices after hours, alone and
unannounced, to view their operation? I can imagine what the Courts or any county employee might think
knowing the County Executive reserves the right to enter their offices after hours and then defines that conduct as
perfectly reasonable. You owe County Council, all county employees, the Human Relations Commissioners, and
the public a full explanation of your recent actions.
In the final analysis, whether visits to county offices, alone and after hours is frequent or isolated, I recommend
you end the practice immediately.
I look forward to your reply.

Dr. Kyle Foust, Finance Chairman

Erie County Council
cc:

Members of Erie County Council

Joseph Aguglia, Executive Director, HRC
Human Relations Commission Members
Human Relations Commission Advisory Board Members

Telephone: (814) 451-6303

Douglas R. Smith, County Clerk

Fax: (814) 451-6350