43
New Struthers officials sworn in Monday
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
With two young children growing up in Struthers, lifelong resident Joseph N. Rudzik felt the time was right to become more involved in his community.
And on Monday evening in city council chambers, in front of his family and new colleagues, Rudzik was sworn in by Mayor Terry Stocker as one of the city’s three councilmen-at-large.
It happened in front of more people than he expected, Rudzik said afterward, but overall, he felt “good about it,” and said he was glad to have been chosen to fill the seat. His wife, Erika Rudzik, and children Karter and Adrionna Rudzik — 8 and 6 years old, respectively — were proud, too.
“I’m a very loyal guy in everything I do,” said Rudzik, who added that among his goals is making the city’s four wards as clean and safe as possible. “I’m invested in the city, and I look forward to doing the best we can.”
Rudzik — who joins Ronald M. Mathews and Michael S. Patrick as councilmen-at-large — replaces Carol A. Crytzer, who also was sworn in Monday as 2nd Ward councilwoman.
Crytzer, in turn, replaces John M. Pontikos, who in August was selected to serve the remainder of former 2nd Ward Councilman Robert Stouffer’s term. Stouffer resigned in July because he was moving out of the city.
Other councilmen sworn in Monday were 1st Ward Councilman Tony Fire, who won a third term over Richard DeLuca; 3rd Ward Councilman Robert D. Burnside, who ran unopposed; and 4th Ward Councilman Robert D. Carcelli III, who won a fourth term over Thomas A. Skovira. In addition, Matthew M. Rhoads was sworn in as treasurer, and Henry Franceschelli Sr. was sworn in as president of council.
The Rev. Doug Theobald of Struthers United Methodist Church delivered the benediction, while Stocker and Judge James R. Lanzo alternated in administering the oaths of office.
Addressing the crowd near the ceremony’s conclusion, Stocker explained that it’s “so very hard today to get people interested in government,” but that he feels lucky to have a city council consisting of members born and raised here. As a result, Stocker added, he’s sure that those members will always have the best interests of the community in mind.
“There will be a lot of tough decisions to make,” Stocker said, mentioning the possibility of council’s placing a property-tax levy specific to street resurfacing on the May 6 ballot. “But I look forward to working with all of you in the next two years,” he said.