Some of West York's elected officials and residents ought to run for Congress.

That's not a compliment.

Rather, we mean they'd fit right in among elected officials who can barely accomplish anything, and when they do it involves name-calling, finger-pointing and hard feelings.

As far as we know, though, the situation in Washington -- day nine of the government shut down and eight until the debt ceiling deadline -- hasn't sunk to the level of shoving matches.

Sure, there's still time; but for now West York has Congress beat.

After yet another contentious borough council meeting, angry words turned to a confrontation Monday between a candidate for mayor and a councilman.

Police now are investigating the incident between Charles "Chuck" Wasko and Councilman Tim Berkheimer, which occurred before a large crowd gathered in front of the borough building.

Berkheimer claims Wasko assaulted him by grabbing his arm and trying to choke him. Wasko says Berkheimer pushed his hand away from a stair railing when they were both trying to enter the building. That, he says, got his goat "and I pushed him."

Good grief.

People of West York, you're not dealing with "Obamacare" here.

The main topic of the heated meeting that preceded the scuffle was the fate of the tiny borough's parking meters.

Two weeks earlier the council voted 4-3 to remove the meters, yet by Monday all but eight were still standing on West Market Street.


Berkheimer, who had pushed for their removal, threatened to pull them out himself if the borough's highway department didn't complete the task.

Department head John Love explained highway employees are busy with other projects, which prompted Berkheimer to question their work ethics.

Keep in mind, this was one of the more cordial council meetings in recent months. Previous meetings have been marked by exchanges of profanity between council members, taunts from the audience and other juvenile antics.

As for the parking meters, that was by no means a slam dunk; the 4-3 decision came after an earlier, tied vote.

And at this point, with the election less than a month away, it makes sense to leave the meters up and see what the new council wants to do with them.

In the meantime, hang some signs on them to let residents and visitors know they don't have to feed them.

Problem solved.

Speaking of the election, let's hope West York residents select officials committed to civil discourse.

It would be a welcome change.