Jim Winarski has been partnering with the Republican party and attempting to undermine the intended purpose of Diverse Erie. The Diverse Erie Commission is intended to address the racial and economic disparities in Black and Brown communities of Erie County.

Erie County Councilman, Jim Winarski:
We, the Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) of Erie County, PA, and County District 4 under the representation of County Councilman Jim Winarski, express our deep concern over your voting record. Councilman Winarski has consistently failed to advocate on behalf of the District 4 residents. He supported the removal of Dr. Adrienne Dixon, and he openly supports the ongoing attempts to remove Mrs. Tiffany LaVette, Dr. Sarah Carter, and Mrs. Gwendolyn White from the Diverse Erie Commission. The removal of Dr. Dixon and the attempts to remove these leaders could be construed as efforts to discredit them. These BIPOC women are leaders who hold esteemed positions in Erie County. Additionally, Councilman Winarski voted in favor of having $3,500,000 rescinded from the Diverse Erie Commission for the 2023 budget, as well as the withholding of $3,500,000 in grant funds that were already approved and allocated for 2022, for a total of $7,000,000 trying to be removed from addressing the impact of racism on the BIPOC of Erie County.
We, the BIPOC of Erie County, respect, support the leadership of, and desire the continued roles of Mrs. Tiffany LaVette, Mrs. Gwendolyn White, and Dr. Sarah Carter as Commissioners of Diverse Erie Commission. The Diverse Erie Commission was established according to Ordinance 72 of Sept. 8, 2020, declaring racism a public health emergency in Erie County, PA. And Resolution 43 of 2020 seeks to address the impact of racism on public health at all levels of county government. We anticipate an apology to Dr. Dixon for her premature removal from the Commission. We expect you to uphold the law and insist that the awarded grants of 2022 totaling $3,500,000 be paid in full, and the $3,500,000 allocation be restored to the Diverse Erie Commission for 2023. We look forward to the fulfillment of the endeavors of the Diverse Erie Commission without any further impedance.

Sincerely,
Greater Calvary F.G.B.C. Social Justice Ministry, Bishop Jesse N. Gavin Pastor

Cc: John Last, Erie Times News; Isley Gooden, Erie Times News; Shawn Lafferty, News Director WJET; Dave Belmondo, WJET; Lisa Thompson Sayers, goerie.com; Matt Martin, goerie.com; Kevin Flowers, goerie.com; Erie County Executive Brenton Davis; Erie County Council