Dear Mr. Walsh:

Your letter to the Attorney General has been referred to this office for reply.

Under Pennsylvania law and, specifically, the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, the Attorney General gives legal advice and opinions to the Governor or to the head of a state government agency. The Attorney General has no authority to advise local government or other public officials or private citizens. As a result, we are not able to give you an opinion on the matter you have presented in your letter.

We recommend that you refer your questions to your attorney for review. If you do not have an attorney, you can consult the bar association referral service in your county or the Pennsylvania Bar Association service in Harrisburg at 1-800-932-0311.

[Note: Friends of the Zeiss received this letter on 2003 June 28; it was posted on June 26, by postal meter, from Harrisburg.]