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People calling for West York mayor to resign after racial posts

WEST YORK, YORK COUNTY, Pa.– People are calling for West York Mayor Chuck Wasko to resign. Residents and borough council members claim the posts made by W...

WEST YORK, YORK COUNTY, Pa.-- People are calling for West York Mayor Chuck Wasko to resign. Residents and borough council members claim the posts made by Wasko are racist.

A few of the posts are about President Barack Obama, Muslims, and several minority groups.

People calling for West York mayor to resign after racial posts

"That shouldn't be allowed," West York resident Roland Van Gorder said. "You need to keep it to yourself, instead of coming out and saying stuff like that."
He said he's lived in West York for most of his life. A nearby business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the post she saw was appalling.

"You don't need to be putting stuff like that out there. I don't care if it's your personal opinion," she said. "Keep it to yourself. That's the problem with today people put too much of that negativity out there."

West York Borough Council President Shawn Mauck said the posts were brought to the council's attention recently.

"It's surprising to me," he said. "I hope this changes his ways. I hope he apologizes for it, at the very least, he owes the public an apology."

Mauck made it clear that these posts do not reflect the views of the borough.

"In no shape or form will we allow this to affect any governing policy, whether it's the police department or any other department of the borough," Mauck said.

When I spoke to the West York Police Chief, he echoed those comments. He said he was disturbed when he saw the posts, saying they are a diverse agency.

I reached out to Mayor Wasko on the phone on Thursday. When I called, he answered with only "this is all a witch hunt," and he didn't say anything else.

"We have good employees here and the last thing they need is to be embarrassed by some elected official making these comments," Mauck said.

Mauck said about 5,000 people make up West York and about 25% of them are minorities.

According to Mauck, the best thing for the community would be for Wasko to step down.

"I can't tell him to do this," Mauck said. "I can't make him do it, but at the end of the day, that's probably what should happen."

Mauck would take over as mayor if Wasko steps down until a new mayor is appointed.

The next borough council meeting is Monday at 6 p.m. at the borough building at 1318 West Poplar Street in West York.

A community forum regarding race relations and local government will be held from 4-5PM Saturday, October 1, at Borough Hall.

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