Erie County Executive Davis removes three more members of DEI Commission board

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis has removed three additional board members from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, the latest in a string of cuts that has reduced the commission to one sitting board member.

In a letter Friday, Davis informed board members Tiffany LaVette, Gwendolyn White and Sarah Carter of their immediate removal from the commission.

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Davis said these members continued to move forward with the commission's grant process despite his request that they freeze all funding until a full nine-member board is seated.

The commission has operated with only four board members since October when Davis removed members Adrienne Dixon and Matt Harris, as well as Chairman Gerald Blanks, due to perceived conflicts of interest regarding the first round of Generational Impact grants awarded in September.

Generational Impact grant awardees:Diverse Erie makes $1.1 million in grants to drive generational impact in BIPOC communities

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The Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation — of which Blanks and Dixon are members — received a $250,000 grant, and the East Side Renaissance Inc. — of which Harris is a member — received a $250,000 grant.

All three recused themselves from the grant application process and abstained from voting in accordance with the commission's bylaws and the Pennsylvania Ethics Act. However, Davis stressed the perception of impropriety.

On Tuesday, the commission held a meeting in which LaVette, White and Carter reaffirmed their commitment to the Generational Impact grant awards, according to County Information Officer Chris Carroll.

"I will not stand to see grants get funded that were put forward in bad faith with blatant conflicts of interest without the full nine-member board in place," Davis said in his letter.

Brandy Cortes, who was appointed by Republican County Councilman Brian Shank, is the only remaining member of the commission.

Carroll told the Erie Times-News that Cortes was spared from removal because she did not support moving forward with the grants process without a full board.

In his letter, Davis also cited pending legal action against the commission by their own Delaware-based accounting firm as basis for the removals. The courthouse was closed Friday for Veterans Day, and details of the claim could not be immediately verified.

The DEI commission's Chief Administrative Officer Gary Lee could not be reached Friday.

Removals trigger pushback from County Council, Erie Insurance

County Councilwoman Mary Rennie, who appointed White to the commission, said conducting commission business was "not cause for removal."

She's also asked White to remain on the commission.

In a statement, Erie Insurance spokesman Matthew Cummings praised White, a 37-year employee of Erie Insurance, for her decades-long service to the Erie community as a civic leader, volunteer and board member for dozens of organizations.

"We are disappointed by this development and the continued dismantling of this vital local commission by the county executive," Cummings said. "Sadly, while other communities are working together to leverage the American Rescue Plan funding to address this important public health crisis, the need for investment in Black, Indigenous and people of color families here in Erie County only continues to grow and this declared public health crisis continues to go unaddressed. The people of Erie County and the DEI commission’s volunteer leaders dedicated to this important work deserve better."

County Councilman Andre Horton, who appointed LaVette, told the Times-News that none of the members of the commission should be removed without cause and the consent of County Council.

"Unless Mrs. LaVette resigns on her own, she remains a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission," he said.

DEI Commission faces uncertain future amid proposed budget cuts

Since its creation in 2021, the commission — also known as Diverse Erie — has grown from a virtual start-up to a full-fledged grant-awarding body, designed to invest in underserved Erie communities and lift up the region's Black, Indigenous and people-of-color population.

It's also been under a continuous threat of defunding.

Davis seeks to cut DEI funding:Dems on Erie County Council say Davis budget for Rescue Plan is vague, ignores minorities

The commission received $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding in 2021 and is poised to receive another $3.5 million this year. However, since February Davis has proposed to eliminate that second round of funding as part of his goal to re-budget the 2022 Rescue Plan budget.

Area minority leaders have voiced frustration over Davis' plans, arguing that Rescue Plan funds were specifically designed to address the immediate needs of those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly Black, and Indigenous residents, and people of color.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.