Struthers mayor to fire tax employee

A businessman defeated a 12-year councilman in the 4th Ward of Struthers.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Tina Morell will be fired from her city job after ending the political career of city Auditor Mary Ellen Jones, who has held that position for 20 years.
Jones, who previously served nearly 12 years as the city's deputy auditor, said she will retire at the end of the year, when her term expires.
"After Dec. 31, I will go off into the sunset," Jones said.
Morell, the city's deputy tax commissioner for nearly 12 years, easily defeated Jones 58 percent to 42 percent in a bitter Democratic primary.
Morell -- who serves at the pleasure of Mayor Daniel Mamula, a Jones supporter -- said she wouldn't be surprised if she were fired today because of the campaign and her victory.
Mamula said, however, that he cannot fire Morell today because she is on vacation. She is scheduled to return Thursday.
He added that he will fire Morell, but not because she won. He said he will fire her because she chose to run against a person who is aligned with his administration.
The mayor said that he asked her to step down if she was going to run, but that Morell chose to run for office, which had the effect of dividing his administration, which left him no choice but to fire her.
Accusation
Jones had accused Morell of taking credit for certain aspects of the city's financial success though she had no involvement in them. She repeated those claims after the election results. Morell denied the allegations.
Jones' supporters had altered a Morell campaign flier replacing a picture of the deputy tax commissioner with one of Pinocchio.
"We chose to take the high road," Morell said.
The only other incumbent to go down in Struthers was Councilman Terry P. Stocker, the 4th Ward councilman for the past 12 years. Stocker lost by 19 votes to Paul J. Garchar Jr., a businessman running for political office for the first time Tuesday.
"We ran a clean campaign, particularly compared to other races, like auditor," Garchar said. "I appreciate the opportunity to serve."
Incumbents winning their primary races Tuesday include Law Director Carole Clemente Wagner and 1st Ward Councilman Anthony R. Protopapa Jr.
The city's other incumbents, including Mamula, council President Danny Thomas Jr., and five other city council members, were unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Except for Thomas and the three at-large candidates, those who won Tuesday face no opposition in the Nov. 6 general election. Thomas is being challenged by former Councilman Robert P. Carcelli, running as an independent.