COUNTY OF ERIE

OFFICE OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Kathy Dahlkemper
COUNTY EXECUTIVE

October 10, 2016

Mr. Andr Horton, council chairman
Erie County Council
Erie County Courthouse
140 W. Sixth St., Room 116
Erie, PA 16501

Dear Chairman Horton,

Erie County Judge William R. Cunninghams ruling on Friday, October 7, has placed the future of the Erie
Metropolitan Transit Authority in the hands of Erie County and the City of Erie.
With the expiration of the charter and the precarious financial situation of EMTA, it is clear that we, as
elected officials, must act quickly to ensure that this vital service is not interrupted. EMTAs riders rely
on the buses to get to their jobs, classes, appointments, and shopping both in the city and from points
around the county.
To me, the best way to get this situation resolved quickly and efficiently is to gather the stakeholders
that is, Erie County Council, Erie City Council, Mayor Joe Sinnott, and myself together to negotiate a
compromise that will ensure the continued operation of EMTA.
I invite you to join me in this effort this week.
It is my understanding that city and county officials have made progress on a potential compromise
plan; I believe that a meeting among all stakeholders could be a valuable forum to discuss and
potentially formalize that proposal or any others that have been suggested.
It is essential to bring the various parties together in a productive work session, and it is also vital to
expedite such discussions. As Judge Cunningham expressed in his ruling, we all must come together to
serve the public good.
My office will be in touch with you to discuss arrangements for a meeting.
Respectfully,

Kathy Dahlkemper

Erie County Courthouse 140 West Sixth Street Suite 504 Erie, Pennsylvania 16501
PHONE (814) 451-6333 FAX (814) 451-6334 TOLL FREE 1 (800) 352-0026 TDD (814) 451-6237