Erie County Times

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis released a statement this week that he would remain on the commission following an outcry from community leaders, including Bishop Dwane Brock, to step down.

“I will not resign," Davis said. "The people of Erie County elected me to revitalize our economy, create good paying jobs, confront cronyism and ensure transparency. In keeping with that effort, in partnership with County Council, I plan to seat a truly diverse and inclusive board."

According to a report by Yahoo!, Brock, who is the pastor of Victory Christian Center and CEO of Eagles Nest Leadership Corp., held a news conference on Nov. 15, saying Davis uses “Trumpian tactics of bullying and intimidation.” He also said Davis “set race relations in this community back at least 50 years.”

Brock was joined by members of the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation to call for Davis’ resignation. They said reasons included his decision to remove board members from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, as well as using “strong-arm tactics” to threaten fellow commissioners if they didn’t follow his lead in stopping grants involving millions of dollars.

"We therefore collectively demand the immediate resignation of Brenton Davis from the office of county executive," Brock said, as reported by Yahoo! "And if he continues his defiant assault on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, we will with deliberate and calculated speed file a discrimination suit against him and those members of County Council who support his totalitarianism, narcissism and Napoleonic behavior.”

Much of the controversy, according to the Yahoo! Report, is that in Davis’ proposed budget there are various programs for vulnerable and marginalized communities that would have their funding cut largely or entirely. 

This includes nearly $1 million cut from the Greater Erie Community Action Committee; nearly $50,000 cut from the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation and reducing funding from $19,034 to $5,000 for a nonprofit for girls called Nurturing Hearts Inc. Another major cut is $463,200 from the Area Agency on Aging which would reduce services at nine senior centers, Meals on Wheels and more. Opponents to the cuts also said that $50,000 proposed cut to the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation will hurt new Americans.

Davis took exception to the idea of having a lawsuit filed against him in his statement following the press conference.

“To threaten a discrimination lawsuit against the County Executive is both frivolous and baseless,” Davis said. “I support the diversity, equity, and inclusion of all people in all communities across our County. On October 20, 2022, members of the Latino, Asian, and Middle Eastern communities stood beside me as I pledged to create a diverse commission, which addresses the needs of all marginalized citizens of all ethnicities and backgrounds. I will ensure this work is done.”

Also attending the news conference in support were Erie City Council President Liz Allen and former Erie County Council Chairman Carl Anderson. Anderson said Davis has exhibited “destructive behavior” while Allen said, according to Yahoo!, “We all need to stand up for diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Davis reiterated in his statement that he would not resign and that he will continue to work for the county.

“I will not resign; I cannot resign because the people of Erie County elected me to revitalize our economy, create good paying jobs and tackle cronyism and business as usual. In keeping with that effort, I plan to seat a truly diverse and inclusive board,” Davis said in his statement.