After seeing the segment about the Aspinwall mayor on the evening news March 11, I felt compelled to write this letter. Scott Zimmermann appeared very pompous and even almost jokingly said his crime “does not rise to that level (of resignation).”

I attended the council meeting, and I was thinking about everything overnight. Let’s start with (Aspinwall Councilwoman) Patti McCaffrey. She admitted that what Zimmermann did was a “victimless crime.” To her, I’d ask: If I’m peeping in your window at you but never touched you, is that OK? That law was enacted to protect your privacy. The people in that meeting, including you, were victims. Privacy is privacy.

I’m not in public office and even I know what Zimmermann did broke the law. Does the police department want a self-proclaimed “bonehead” who has “brain farts” leading them through tough times or emergency situations? The next time I get pulled over, can I play the “brain-fart” card? Do I get a free pass for breaking the law? Like someone at the meeting said, do we all get mulligans?

People put party over character and it’s truly sad, especially in small-town politics. Lifelong resident Joe Noro didn’t lose because of his ability to lead and serve our community. He lost because he had an “R” after his name.

After a 5-1 vote in favor of the resolution, it appears the mayor has lost the trust of council.

I do believe it would be in the best interest of everyone if he resigned.

Let someone with morals and humility assume the respected position, someone who represents the citizens of Aspinwall. Because when asked why he ran, Zimmermann’s answers were: 1) to have a Democrat in the seat; 2) to allow ICE to do its job; and 3) to hire a social worker. Not once did he say, because I want to represent you, the citizens.

If Zimmermann would have shown an ounce of remorse, it would have made this situation a little better. Not good, but better. He’s not sorry for what he did. He’s only sorry he got caught.

This is not a good look for Aspinwall. If he is allowed to get away with this, I’m afraid we are setting a new precedent. We’re now going to be known as the town of “brain farts” instead of the Town that Pride Built.

Sherrie Rizza

Aspinwall