Having previously served as a member of Aspinwall Council, I am writing to forcefully advocate for Aspinwall Mayor Scott Zimmermann’s continuance in office.
In November, Aspinwall’s voters elected Zimmermann to be their next mayor during a free and fair election. Their choice should be honored and respected.
Regardless of what allegedly transpired during a private meeting Feb. 16 (which was the subject of a resolution borough council passed on March 11), I do not believe Zimmermann’s offense was sufficiently egregious to warrant his removal from office.
Censuring an individual is one thing. Demanding that a duly elected official resign from office without due process is an altogether different matter.
Judging from everything I have learned since he took office, Zimmermann has been doing an outstanding job of overseeing Aspinwall’s police department. Aspinwall’s residents should be loath to lose the services of someone who has thus far been an admirable public servant.
In my considered opinion, Aspinwall’s residents should allow Zimmermann to continue to demonstrate his merit by completing his term in office. The appropriate time to decide on the mayor’s fate should be the next mayoral election in 2029.
David C. Brown
The Aspinwall resident is a former member of council.
