Councilman-elect appointed to fill official's seat

SHARON, Pa. -- Bob Lucas , a retired city firefighter, won election to city council beginning in 2004 but he's taken a council seat a month early.
Lucas agreed to accept appointment to the remainder of Councilman Lou Rotunno's seat. Rotunno died a week ago, leaving about six weeks in his unexpired term. He had also won re-election this year to another four-year term beginning in 2004.
Fred Hoffman, council president, said the fact that the city is working on a 2004 budget made it essential that Rotunno's seat be filled immediately. The appointment, made at Monday's council meeting, lasts only until the first Monday in January when Rotunno's current term expires.
Lucas will begin his own four-year term at that point, and council will then need to make an appointment to fill Rotunno's new term.