CAMPBELL Council members fill vacant ward seat

The former board member was among eight applicants for the vacant council seat.
By PAUL WHEATLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- City council voted a familiar face to the 1st Ward seat vacated by Steve Sferra on Dec. 26.
Michael Tsikouris, a former Campbell school board member, was sworn in as councilman after a 3-1 vote during a regular meeting Wednesday night.
Council President Robert Yankle cast the dissenting vote by nominating former Councilman Jerry Rudiak. Council members voted on the matter by stating their nomination.
"It's a bit different than the school board, you're about to find out," said Yankle, welcoming Tsikouris.
Tsikouris, who lost a bid for re-election to the school board in November, was among eight candidates who applied for council after Sferra left for unspecified personal reasons.
Sferra served less than one month on council.
Tsikouris, meanwhile, served one term as a board member.
Also applied: The other applicants included Rudiak; Lois Sferra, the wife of Steve Sferra; Joseph Mico; Michael Berry Sr.; Gary Petruska; Angelo Lemonis; and Patricia Neely. The applicants were given 10-minute interviews by council Jan. 9.
Tsikouris, 55, sees the job as another opportunity to serve the city and said his school-board experience will only help in his new role.
"I think this relationship here, my being on city council, will provide a conduit between the city and the board of education," he said.
He said he'll work as an ambassador for the city.
Dr. Walter Rusnak, who served as board president during Tsikouris' term, called him a man dedicated to the community.
"I'm very happy you appointed Mr. Tsikouris," Rusnak told council.
wheatley@vindy.com