New council leader, ward rep take their oaths in Struthers

STRUTHERS -- The city has its new city council president and 1st Ward councilman.
Danny Thomas Jr., council president-elect, and Anthony R. Protopapa Jr., who won the Democratic primary for the 1st Ward, were sworn in today by Judge James R. Lanzo at city hall.
Thomas, former 1st Ward councilman, replaces Michael Orenic, who resigned after being defeated by Thomas in the May 8 primary. Orenic's term did not expire until Dec. 31.
Protopapa fills the 1st Ward void left by Thomas.
The men were appointed by Struthers Democratic precinct committee members Monday night.
Thomas defeated nominee Terry Stocker, D-4th and president pro tempore, by a 10-4 vote.
Now, Thomas said, it's time to move on.
"It will be the final gasp for the [Michael] Orenic-[Robert] Carcelli gang," he said, referring to the ex-president and current councilman. "Terry's been basically their silent partner through this."
Stocker, who had filled in for Orenic, said he will return to his 4th Ward seat.
Precinct committee people voted unanimously for Protopapa to fill Thomas's old seat.