Protopapa beats incumbent for president

Two former members of Struthers council won their primary races.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Being the incumbent president of Struthers City Council is not the most stable job.
Councilman Anthony Protopapa Jr. of the 1st Ward defeated Robert Carcelli, the incumbent, in Tuesday's Democratic primary by 141 votes, according to unofficial results from the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
When Protopapa is sworn in as president in January, he will be the fourth person to hold the job since 2001. He faces no general election opposition.
In 2003, Carcelli, who previously served 12 years on city council, defeated Democrat Danny Thomas, the incumbent president, in a very tight race. Thomas beat Michael Orenic, who was council president for 18 years, in 2001.
Protopapa, who captured 52 percent of the vote Tuesday, said he is not concerned with the recent history of the council president position.
"With my credibility and ability to work with council and the administration, we'll be fine," he said. "People see my past experience and what I did for the 1st Ward. I get along with everybody."
Mayor Dan Mamula supported Protopapa in the primary. The mayor and Carcelli rarely, if ever, speak to each other.
Carcelli said the "city hall machine ganged up on me," leading to his defeat.
"I gave it my best shot," he said.
Carcelli said he will serve the remainder of his term and continue to do what he can to help the city.
For Protopapa, this was his third time running for council president. He lost to Orenic in 1993 and 1997. He is serving his second term as 1st Ward councilman.
Protopapa said he will not feel uncomfortable serving the remainder of his term with Carcelli running council meetings.
"It may be uncomfortable for him," Protopapa said about Carcelli.
There were a couple of political comebacks in Struthers.
How others fared
Mark Sandine, defeated four years ago for 2nd Ward councilman, won the Democratic primary to reclaim that seat. Incumbent Councilman Bert Cene Jr. didn't run for re-election.
Also, Terry Stocker, the former 4th Ward councilman, was the top vote-getter in a five-person Democratic primary for three council-at-large seats.
The two incumbents -- Ronald Mathews and Jerry L. Shields -- running in the primary for re-election won. Councilman Dexter Hollen, the other incumbent, didn't seek re-election.
The three Democratic nominees move on to the November general election to face Amelia S. Zaluski, who is running as an independent.
Sherri L. Hartzell defeated two challengers in the 1st Ward Democratic primary to replace Protopapa. Also, Councilman Paul J. Garchar Jr. of the 4th Ward won the Democratic primary, and Councilman Daniel R. Yemma ran unopposed. None face opposition in the November election.
Municipal Court Judge James Lanzo defeated Alan J. Matavich, 70.6 percent to 29.4 percent. The judge doesn't have general election opposition.
skolnick@vindy.com