Republican Amy Webster, who took office in January, concluded that the private meeting would focus on county business in violation of the state’s Sunshine Law.

“I will not meet politicians behind closed doors or make secret deals,” Webster’s posting states. “Anything any Blair County commissioner wants to say to me can be said openly in a public meeting in full view of the voters.”

Foreman said Friday that it was not his intention to have a discussion in violation of the state’s Sunshine Law. Instead, he said he expected the proposed meeting with Erb and Webster to focus on Republican committee business.

“I wanted to discuss,” Foreman said, “how we might work together on a unified and conciliatory outlook, going forward.”

Foreman

When asked if he could do that without touching on who chairs the county’s commissioners board — a matter that has generated disagreement in the community and among local Republicans since it was decided in early January — Foreman said he had no expectations on that matter.

“You can’t unring a bell,” Foreman said. “There was no intent on my part to have them go back and redo anything.”

His emailed invitation to Erb and Webster indicates that it was written on the night of Jan. 30, after a meeting of the Republican committee.

Those familiar with the group told the Mirror that a resolution was offered that night which proposed censuring Erb for actions that have been detrimental to Webster.

Foreman declined to elaborate on the resolution.

Webster

“Certain motions and discussions in the committee are private and confidential to the committee itself,” he said.

His emailed invitation to Erb and Webster referenced his concern about “the banter and lingering negatively that is being fueled from this issue.”

In January, Erb was able to retain chairmanship of the commissioners board by securing a supportive vote from Democratic commissioner Laura Burke. In turn, Erb supported Burke for vice chairman, an office typically held by a Republican commissioner.

Traditionally, the board chairmanship goes to the candidate with the most votes in November, and that would have been Webster. But Erb expressed a desire to retain the chairman’s post based on his experience and Burke acknowledged that experience when she voted for him.

Their actions left Webster designated as board secretary, a post typically held by the Democratic commissioner in the Republican-dominated county.

Webster, in her online posting, offered that history in addition to posting Foreman’s invitation offering to meet with her and Erb.

“I believe both of you to be people of fair resolve and good intention,” Foreman wrote. “It’s with that spirit that I’m suggesting the three of us meet to explore how you (as fellow commissioners) and us (as a party) can move forward with the best interests of all in mind.”

Media law counselor Melissa Melewsky of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association told the Mirror that this kind of meeting could create Sunshine Law problems because it involves two of the county’s three commissioners.

“Even if the meeting didn’t run afoul of the law,” Melewsky said, “it could create the appearance of impropriety, which harms public trust in elected officials and government overall.”

Foreman told the Mirror that was not his intent.

“In no way would I suggest that we deal with county business,” Foreman said. “Unfortunately, there may have been a misunderstanding regarding the subject matter or intent (of the meeting). But I would not put myself or any public official in a position to breach the Sunshine Law.”

Neither Erb nor Webster responded Friday to messages left on their phones seeking comment on the matter.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.