A local attorney who took the two Republican county commissioners to task two weeks ago for spearheading a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the state health secretary returned to their latest meeting Wednesday calling for their resignation.

Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale accused Leslie Osche, commissioners chairwoman, and Commissioner Kim Geyer of selecting Republicans Mike Kelly, Marci Mustello, Daryl Metcalfe and Tim Bonner for inclusion as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which she contends constitutes a conflict of interest, misappropriation of government resources and other misconduct.

Vanasdale also said the commissioners should not be involved in any proceedings in the elections bureau because they are up for re-election this year.

She called on Osche and Geyer to resign, repay taxpayers' money spent on the lawsuit and be barred from the elections bureau due to a conflict of interest.

Vanasdale said Osche's campaign committee donated $200 to the election campaign of Mustello, R-11th.

Furthermore, she argued during the public meeting that Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter and Graham — the Butler law firm representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Wolf — donated $2,000 to Mustello's re-election committee.

“(The lawsuit) is for political influence based on your candidates,” Vanasdale said.

Osche said neither she nor Geyer invited any candidates to participate in the lawsuit against Wolf. She added that anyone can contribute to any campaign.

Osche questions Vanasdale's motivation for the vitriol against she and Geyer, and said she will not get caught up in it.

“I'm going to stay focused on working on a plan to get us open,” Osche said.

Wil White, county solicitor, said after the meeting the commissioners cannot campaign for their re-election while at the courthouse or on the job as commissioners, but can donate to whatever candidate they choose.

“I'm not aware of any conflict of interest,” White said.

Chicora restaurant owner Cindy Hildebrand also attended the meeting to reiterate her opposition to the lawsuit against Wolf.

She contended two weeks ago that the county should not be spending money on a lawsuit in the face of a pandemic.

On Wednesday, she told the commissioners it will cost her about $18,000 to replenish her restaurant with food once she is permitted to open, given today's rising meat prices.

“Where is this going to come from?” Hildebrand said. “Restaurants don't have $18,000 laying around right now.”

Regarding taking out a loan to refill her pantry, Hildebrand said another pandemic could render restaurant owners unable to make their payments.

“The next couple years are going to be rough,” Hildebrand said.

The commissioners voted 2-1 on Wednesday to ratify the filing of a brief in the case.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel, a Democrat, voted against the lawsuit two weeks ago, as well as the brief approved on Wednesday.