In the latest twist in Aspinwall’s political drama, residents are lining up behind a petition that backs the Borough Council’s censure of Mayor Scott Zimmermann and urges him to step down. The effort, circulating both on paper and online, had roughly 130 signatures in early April, and organizers say they hope that number climbs through the rest of the month. The push comes after Zimmermann acknowledged that he secretly recorded a private Feb. 16 meeting with the borough solicitor and other officials without their consent. Supporters say the petition is about safeguarding employee privacy, while Zimmermann has apologized and made clear he does not intend to resign.
How the petition spread
The online petition is posted on iPetitions, and coverage in TribLIVE reports that organizer Steve Kochanowski began handing out paper copies on March 31. According to TribLIVE, an earlier MoveOn petition was flagged and removed within hours, which prompted organizers to shift to a new online home and old-school clipboard signups. Kochanowski told the outlet he is aiming for 500 signatures by April 30, and both residents and at least one borough employee have already signed on.
Council censures Zimmermann
Borough Council voted 5–1 on March 11 to approve a resolution expressing disapproval of the mayor’s actions and requesting his resignation, with Councilwoman Lara Voytko recusing herself and Patti McCaffrey casting the sole no vote, WTAE reported. The resolution alleges Zimmermann used his iPhone to record the Feb. 16 meeting without consent and spells out remedies available to those who were recorded; the full document is posted on the borough’s website. Zimmermann apologized for making the recording, calling it a “brain fart,” but said he does not plan to step down.
Legal exposure under state law
Pennsylvania’s Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act makes it unlawful to intercept an oral communication without the consent of all parties and outlines criminal penalties and civil remedies for violations, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. That means anyone who believes they were recorded in circumstances where they reasonably expected privacy could pursue criminal charges or a civil lawsuit in addition to whatever action the council takes on its own.
Officials and residents weigh in
Council President Jeff Harris told TribLIVE that the recording has been forensically confirmed as deleted at the mayor’s expense, a development that did little to quiet the controversy at the council meeting. Petition supporters argue the campaign is about protecting municipal staff and the privacy of internal conversations, while some attendees at the meeting criticized the resignation request as too extreme. Zimmermann, who defeated Republican Joe Noro in November, said the incident has not affected how he moves around town and that he is focusing on hiring a full-time police officer and exploring a social-worker position for the department.
What comes next
If Zimmermann were to resign, council members have said they would appoint a successor and that the council president would temporarily serve as both council president and mayor until that appointment is made, WTAE noted. For now, petition organizers plan to keep collecting signatures through April, and the fight over Zimmermann’s future has thrown a spotlight on how small boroughs juggle transparency, employee privacy, and local public-safety planning.
