First-time candidate beats incumbent Struthers council president

By David Skolnick

An incumbent councilwoman lost her re-election bid.

STRUTHERS — The revolving door known as Struthers council president took another turn, this time kicking incumbent Anthony R. Protopapa Jr. to the curb.

Henry D. Franceschelli Sr., running for office for the first time, easily beat Protopapa, capturing 57.4 percent of the vote, according to unofficial totals from Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Franceschelli won even though he admits he has no experience running meetings under Robert’s Rules of Order, used by Struthers council, and doesn’t how much is in the city’s general fund.

“I’ll be really prepared when I take office in January,” he said.

Council president hasn’t been a steady job since 2001 when Danny Thomas Jr. beat incumbent Michael Orenic. Two years later, Robert Carcelli defeated Thomas. In 2005, Protopapa beat Carcelli.

Protopapa survived a challenge in 2007, the same year that long-time mayor Daniel Mamula lost a re-election bid to Terry Stocker, then a councilman at-large.

Franceschelli said his election was a clear message by Struthers voters want officeholders to “work for the people.”

Overall, it wasn’t a good night for those on council who were aligned with Mamula.

Not only did Protopapa lose, but Councilwoman Sherri L. Hartzell, D-1st, lost by 11 votes to Tony Fire, according to unofficial results.

Also, Councilman at-Large Daniel R. Yemma finished third in a four-man race for three seats. He won another two-year seat on council. But it was quite a different story in 2007 when he was the top vote-getter among council at-large candidates.

“I’ll work with anyone if given a chance,” said Yemma, who acknowledged he could be a “lonely guy” on council next year.

He said the Stocker-Mamula camps issue is “overblown.” But come January, he’ll be the only person left on council known for his support of Mamula.

Councilman at-Large Michael S. Patrick, who finished second in Tuesday’s primary, said Struthers voters were tired of the tactics used by those who supported Mamula and made that clear with their votes.

There are no Republicans or independent candidates running for office in the November general election in Struthers.

skolnick@vindy.com