Struthers clerk of council resigns over e-mail dispute

staff report

STRUTHERS — Clerk of Council Toni Constantino, who was caught up in a political dispute between city officials, has resigned. In June, Mayor Terry Stocker filed a police report alleging unprofessional conduct on the part of council President Anthony Protopapa, according to Vindicator files.

The police report stemmed from an e-mail found on Constantino’s computer.

The e-mail from Constantino to Councilman at large Daniel Yemma concerned the handling of Stocker’s briefcase and the examination of the contents in the briefcase.

According to Vindicator files, Stocker gave no one permission to handle his briefcase and asked Constantino to secure it until he returned to pick it up.

During a special meeting Monday, council accepted the resignation of Constantino.

Stocker said Tuesday that he felt the council acted “deliberately and thoroughly.”

“I think it turned out best for both sides,” said 3rd Ward Councilman Robert Burnside in reference to the city and Constantino.

“Now we can just move on with running the city because it really distracted us from doing that,” said Burnside, who wouldn’t comment further.

Council plans to meet again next week to discuss filling the open position of clerk of council.

Council is in recess for August and will resume meeting in September, said Councilman at large Michael Patrick, who hopes the position will be filled by then.

“We think it was in the best interest for the city for it to turn out this way,” said Patrick.