NEWS

West York mayor's racist Facebook posts prompt community forum, protest

USA TODAY NETWORK, Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record

West York Mayor Charles Wasko's Facebook page is like many others, full of political memes, car photos, and even recipes for things like "Italian chicken schnitzel."

But some of his posts have gotten him into trouble with borough council, some residents and others who say they are racist, and who have called on Wasko to resign. One of the posts shows a wheelbarrow full of orangutans and says moving day at the White House "has finally arrived." Other posts strike a similar tone. Wasko has posted on Facebook: " … I will not be politically correct, I say what is on my mind and what I believe in …"

One of the posts on West York Mayor Charles Wasko's Facebook page that some borough council members says has them "disturbed" and "outraged."

Former West York mayor Samuel Firestone, who narrowly lost to Wasko in the 2013 primary, said he is "appalled at the whole thing." He said he hasn't seen Wasko's Facebook posts, but he has heard about them.

Firestone said his daughter was asked by a friend, who lives out of state, whether it was her father who made the comments. His daughter responded: "Absolutely not." Firestone said everyone was created by the same person, and "we all matter."

"I didn't think in my wildest dreams he would do something this absurd," Firestone said of Wasko.

West York officials plan to host a community forum from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday to discuss race relations and local government, and a local resident has planned a protest on Monday before the council meeting.

Borough officials want to assure residents and others that the mayor's views are not representative of the rest of the elected officials and law enforcement, a news release states.

"We will do all we can to reach out to our neighborhoods and assure them that they are safe, that we are open to everyone and supportive of everyone because we want a growing, thriving community that everybody can call home," council President Shawn Mauck said.

One of the posts on West York Mayor Charles Wasko's Facebook page that some borough council members says has them "disturbed" and "outraged."

Lisa Zortman Gross, who has lived most of her life in the borough, said she was "offended" when she saw the mayor's Facebook posts, and she doesn't want the community "to be painted with that brush." She has decided to protest outside of the borough offices at 5 p.m. Monday. The council meeting starts at 6 p.m.

"I really feel that Mayor Wasko should resign," she said.

York Mayor Kim Bracey also called Wasko's posts "appalling" in a letter to the editor.

"As a fellow mayor, I'm offended, as a county resident and African American female, I am disgusted and personally hurt, particularly since I have met and have much respect for our country's president and his family," she wrote.

Wasko could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Mayor up for re-election next year

Wasko narrowly beat Firestone, then the incumbent, during the primary in 2013. Wasko received 116 votes to Firestone's 108.

Wasko was unopposed in the general election.

He will be up for re-election next year, said Nikki Suchanic, director of elections for York County.

Wasko also has served on council in the past. He was appointed to a seat in 2010 after councilman Donald Knaub resigned.

Political infighting has occurred for years

Politics in West York has been tumultuous over the years.

Wasko had encouraged residents to speak out in favor of the West York Police Department in 2013 when council was considering disbanding its own department and contracting services with an outside agency. It was a hot issue at the time, and in the end, the borough decided to keep its department.

Earlier this year, a police officer had to intervene in a heated exchange between Wasko and then-council member Nicholas Laughman about buying the former Grace E. Loucks Elementary School. Laughman had questioned how the borough was going to pay $200,000 for the building without raising taxes.

The mayor broke a tie vote in favor of purchasing the property.

One of the posts on West York Mayor Charles Wasko's Facebook page that some borough council members says has them "disturbed" and "outraged."

At the time, Laughman said his wife, who was in the audience, made reference to a previous confrontation between the mayor and Laughman.  That's when the mayor pointed his finger at her and stood up. An officer stepped in to prevent the mayor from going into the gallery. Laughman said that's when he stood up, and the officer moved in between the two of them.

Laughman resigned from the council in June.

Firestone, who has lived in West York for most of his life, said he has no desire to run for office again. In fact, he is looking to move out of the borough.

"I've had it with the council and the whole leadership," he said.

New leadership is needed to take a look at the borough from a business standpoint and move it forward, Firestone said.