Butler County is moving forward with a lawsuit against Governor Tom Wolf.
The commissioners voted 2 to 1 in favor to proceed—Commissioner Kevin Boozel voted against the suit.
“I’ll fight for every business. I’d rather work at getting them stood up in different ways, whether it be through IDA grants, the growth collaborative, or whatever we have available in our local resources; and making sure we understand state and federal resources,” Boozel said. “But, I don’t think the county itself has a dog in this fight, in regards to our own personal harm.”
Commissioner Kim Geyer voted in favor of the suit because she feels that the rights of county residents are being violated.
“Let me be clear, we may be in the yellow phase for weeks or months, no one knows,” Geyer said. “But the one constant that holds true is that civil rights were violated in this process.”
Commissioner Leslie Osche said this lawsuit was filed, in part, to support local businesses.
“We’re standing up as a county to represent them is what I have to vote for,” Osche said. “To represent the business community in particular, and our citizens, and the future freedoms that Commissioner Geyer spoke so well about.”
Butler County is joined by Green, Washington, and Fayette Counties in the lawsuit along with numerous local elected officials and businesses. The elected officials include Congressman Mike Kelly, State Representatives Marci Mustello, Daryl Metalfe, and Tim Bonner. Some of the local businesses include Double Image Styling Salon, Prima Capelli Inc., R.W. McDonald and Sons, and Starlight Drive-In Inc.
Two Democratic candidates running for state house seats in the state, Daniel Smith of Adams Twp. and Phil Heasley of Center Twp., both spoke before Wednesday’s public meeting saying that the lawsuit was unnecessary.
“As a citizen of Butler County, a taxpayer, and someone who has suffered financially and personally during this pandemic, I humbly ask that you do the right thing and vote no,” Smith said.
The candidates also pointed out that none of the elected leaders involved in the lawsuit were Democrats. It was also pointed out during the public comment period that the politicians who are plaintiffs in this lawsuit are all incumbents and that there were no prospective candidates that are currently seeking office currently involved in the suit.
A number of business owners also attended the meeting and took issue with the county paying for legal services as a result of the lawsuit.
The commissioners did confirm that Butler law firm Dillon McCandless King Coulter and Graham along with Stepanian and Menchyk are being retained as special counsel. The fee being charged to the county is $175 per hour. The money for the suit is coming out of a line item in the budget that accounts for unanticipated legal costs.
