Court Opinion

ID: 9746875
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 14:42:10.577447+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:17.853949
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Judge Blatt :
I must respectfully dissent.
It seems to me that the majority’s opinion usurps the role of the factfinder in overlooking a critical finding by the Commission that the instances of Ms. Omelchenko’s poor performance, as outlined in the opinion, were not the actual reasons for her removal. The Commission found as follows:
Appellant has admitted to laxity in processing time sheets and various reports. However, it is clear that this was not the grounds (sic) for her removal. Appellant’s removal, as was testified, was occasioned by some tenants meeting with the Chairman of the Housing Authority. Accusations of using a refrigerator for personal food and use of a community room, and what would appear to be a long-standing feeling that one housing group was favored over another, hardly justify a removal. (Emphasis added.)
*499The Commission also found that the instances of poor performance delineated by the Authority were compiled only after the Authority made its decision to remove Ms. Omelchenko. The Authority seems to me to have been unconcerned with the other instances of poor performance, such as the late time reports, for these did not adversely reflect upon Ms. Omelchenko’s work performance.
I believe that the Commission was correct, therefore, in concluding as a matter of law that these instances did not touch upon her competence or ability and that they could not, as a result, constitute “just cause” for her removal. Corder v. Civil Service Commission, 2 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 462, 279 A.2d 368 (1971).