Terry Stocker has led Struthers as mayor for 12 years. His successor, Cathy "Cat" Cercone Miller, will be the first female mayor for the city.

STRUTHERS — As the year winds down, a chapter for Terry Stocker will be completed.

The Struthers mayor, who has been in the leadership role since 2008, will begin a new adventure: spending time with family.

“I’m just going to make sure I get up in the morning and not start my car and head for city hall,” Stocker said, laughing.

Serving as a councilman for 18 years before he was elected mayor, Stocker said he has always been in authoritative capacities, which primed him to lead the city.

“Every phase of my life in one way or another has been in a leadership role,” he said, whether he worked with budgets or met deadlines.

Working at Dominion East Ohio for 33 years, Stocker, 71, also served in the National Guard as a military police officer, played semi-professional football for the Youngstown Hardhats Association, owned a landscaping business and coached football.

Stocker chose not to seek re-election for mayor in 2018, and will be succeeded by Catherine Cercone Miller.

Although he was sworn in during the Great Recession, Stocker said he feels he was able to make strides in Struthers, honoring a pledge he made early on.

“Working our way through on getting rid of some of those homes that are substandard, we tore down over 200 of those homes,” he said.

Fighting blight with funds from the Bush and Obama administrations, as well as Mahoning County, Stocker said the goal helped preserve the property values of homeowners maintaining their properties.

He also recalled welcoming several high-profile guests to the area.

In 2017, President Donald J. Trump traveled to Struthers, visiting the AMVETS Post 44. During the visit, Stocker said he was able to “briefly” welcome the sitting president, even talking with him for a moment.

“That’s probably one of the most memorable (moments), to be able to shake the hand and welcome the president of the United States to our community,” Stocker said.

Talking about the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, the opioid crisis and infrastructure, Stocker said he felt that Trump listened, responding with “help is on the way.”

Stocker also welcomed Joe Biden in 2010, when he was vice president and touring Astro Shapes. He even got to shake hands with Barack Obama, although that was in nearby Poland Township.

All three men “showed respect” for the area, Stocker said.

Stocker acknowledged meeting hardships during his time as mayor, and said that when a person is in a leadership role they have to make unpopular decisions.

“Sometimes when you’re at the top, you’re alone,” he said.

Stocker said he has found support from his wife Renee, “who has been a huge support.”

As he transitions into this new era, Stocker said he will support Miller as best he can while still staying involved in the community.

“I have to live here,” he said.

afox@tribtoday.com