LOCAL

West York appoints 'typical, average guy' mayor to fill Mauck's term

Rebecca Klar
York Dispatch
Bruce Vick was appointed West York mayor by council at a Monday, Feb. 26 meeting (Photo courtesy of Bruce Vick).

West York appointed a new mayor on Monday, Feb. 25, to fill the remainder of a term vacated by Shawn Mauck in January.

The borough's new mayor is Bruce Vick. He will serve until Dec. 31, 2019.

"I’m your typical, average guy with no political aspirations who just thought that I would like to be able to do something and give back to my community a little bit," Vick said.

Vick beat out five other candidates in a 5-1 vote, with council Vice President Brian Wilson — also a mayoral candidate — abstaining, Mauck said. 

Vick has lived in the borough for 25 years. He initially stayed away from a run, stating he's "not interested at all with the way politics are nowadays." However, because he's an active member of the borough community, other residents suggested he give it a shot, Vick said.

After weighing the pros and cons, Vick decided to give it a go. 

He plans to work with the council and borough government to help bring West York back to "what it once was before" by enticing businesses to open up and creating affordable housing, he said. 

Vick manages a transportation company based a couple of blocks outside West York. He has served 25 years as a committee member, and three times as chairman, of the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, a national nonprofit conservation organization. 

Mauck announced Jan. 13 in a Facebook post that he would be stepping down as mayor to take over as interim borough manager — a position he said is a better opportunity to use his skills. Under state law, Mauck cannot simultaneously serve in both positions. 

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Council member Alan Vandersloot previously said three candidates were being considered for the full-time borough manager position. The borough contracted the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College in Berks County to vet applicants. 

Mauck said the council will tentatively vote on a candidate at its March 4 meeting.

West York Mayor Shawn Mauck gives his report during the Borough Council meeting, Monday, July 2, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo

Mauck also is serving as the borough secretary, zoning officer and treasurer. It is common throughout West York history for one individual to hold those positions simultaneously, Mauck said. 

As interim manager, Mauck is being paid $30 per hour for 40 hours a week, which amounts to $62,400 a year, without benefits. The advertised salary for the manager position is $50,000 to $60,000 a year with benefits. 

— Rebecca Klar can be reached at rklar@yorkdispatch.com or via Twitter @RebeccaKlar_.