West York mayor should resign after racist posts, some say
Council members say they want the public to know they don't share the same views.
West York Council members are denouncing what they call disturbing and racist posts on Mayor Charles Wasko's Facebook page, and some say he should resign.
One post depicts a wheelbarrow full of orangutans and says moving day at the White House "has finally arrived."
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Another references football player Colin Kaepernick, who has taken a knee during the national anthem in protest of how people of color are treated. The post on Wasko's page shows flag-draped coffins and asks the quarterback to point out which guys are black so the flag can be removed. One person responded to the mayor's post, saying an elected official is to represent all constituents.
The incidents have also gained national attention from news outlets such as CBS, and have been widely circulated on social media. Council President Shawn Mauck said he received a call from CNN.
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Council member Brian Wilson said he plans to ask the mayor for his resignation at Monday's council meeting. Wilson called the posts "unacceptable."
He said he tried to talk to the mayor about removing them. The mayor responded by blocking Wilson from seeing the page.
The council or a resident can ask a mayor to resign, but no official action can be taken to remove a mayor from office unless a court removes him or her because of a criminal conviction, said Leslie Suhr, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
Council members say they want the public to know they don't share the same views. Mauck said he thinks the public deserves an apology from the mayor. He also wants to introduce a censure motion.
Wasko, when reached by phone Wednesday night, said it's just "bulls--- that's going on up at the borough office" and hung up. No one answered the door at his home Thursday evening.
On Thursday, Wasko wrote on his Facebook page that he will not be "politically correct, I will say what is on my mind and what I believe in …" He also said he will not put up with wrongdoing.
"(T)he bomb is ready to drop on Mauck and Wilson," he wrote.
West York has had a number of controversies lately, including council members stepping down from leadership positions, police intervening at a contentious meeting, and a decision to put the police chief on leave for undisclosed reasons.
READ: Police chief put on leave
Mauck said he will do everything he can to make sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
Councilwoman Shelley Metzler said she was livid and offended when she saw the posts.
"I would punch him in the mouth if I could get away with it," Metzler said. "(T)his man needs to resign."
Councilwoman Mary Wagner said she also thinks the mayor should resign. Wasko is entitled to freedom of speech, but as mayor, he is held to a higher standard, she said. He represents the borough residents.
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West York's population is about 4,600, according to the 2010 census. About 12 percent is black, in the otherwise predominantly white town.
Verna Norris, who has lived in the borough for nearly 20 years, said she went to the mayor's Facebook page to see what he had posted.
"That was very unprofessional, and that was wrong," she said.
Norris said she, too, believes the mayor should resign.
"He shouldn't even be a mayor if he's a racist," she said.
Wasko, as mayor, has some role in police operations. The police department has officers who are minorities.
Acting West York Police Chief Matt Millsaps said the mayor's posts in no way reflect the attitudes, ideology or beliefs of the police department.
"This is not representative of our police department or our council," he said.
Borough to hold forum after posts
West York residents are invited to a forum regarding race relations and local government on Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m., according to a statement released Thursday.
An event posting on Facebook lists Mauck the host.
Council members outlined how they are "outraged" and "disturbed" at Wasko's social media posts and want to use the forum as a way to communicate their stance.
"We encourage residents to attend, hear from elected officials directly and take the opportunity to share concerns with us in a safe and civil environment," the statement says.
The forum will be held at the borough hall, 1381 W. Poplar St.
Protest planned
Lisa Zortman Gross is planning a "peaceful protest" to call for the resignation of West York Mayor Charles Wasko on Monday across from the borough hall, she said.
She said she plans to be there "even if I'm standing alone." She hopes, however, she will have a large turnout, and she's created an event page on Facebook. Gross said she wants to stand up against Wasko's "hateful speech instead of sitting silently and being outraged on Facebook."
The protest will start at 5 p.m., and Gross invited those interested in attending to join her on the sidewalk across from the borough offices. She said she hopes it will be "orderly and respectful to the residents of the neighborhood."