Struthers law director can't be forced to resign, judge says

STRUTHERS — A Mahoning County judge has upheld a magistrate’s decision to stop the city’s mayor from forcing the resignation of the law director.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of common pleas court upheld the decision by Magistrate Tim Welsh that Mayor Terry Stocker does not have the authority to force law director Carol Clemente Wagner from going through with a resignation she rescinded before its effective date.

Clemente Wagner, the city’s law director for 16 years, had notified Stocker on Oct. 29 that she intended to resign Nov. 30. Her current term is set to expire Dec. 31, 2011.

Afterward, Stocker took steps to notify the county Democratic Party, which would appoint her successor. The position was advertised, and he attempted to seat an interim law director until a permanent appointment.

But on Nov. 16, Clemente Wagner notified Stocker she was rescinding her resignation. The next day, he told her he would not accept her rescission.

For the complete story, see Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com