First Day on the Job for 2 New Councilmen

Strongsville's cast their first official votes at Tuesday night's council meeting, 24 hours after taking the oath of office.

and start 2012 as the new representatives in Wards 2 and 3, respectively. 

"Welcome to government, and welcome to governing," Mayor Tom Perciak told them as Tuesday's organizational meeting started. "We look forward to a very successful four years."

Carbone got an assignment as his first council meeting -- Council President Mike Daymut appointed him to serve as council's liaison to the Strongsville schools.

"I think it's fitting," Carbone said. "I'm a school resource officer (in North Olmsted) and I went to Strongsville schools kindergarten through 12."

Otherwise, Carbone said he wants to spend his first weeks in office "learning as much as I can."

Schonhut, 20, is by far Strongsville's youngest councilman. He beat longtime Councilman Ray Haseley in a close race in Ward 2, while Carbone bested Larry Frawley in a race for the seat vacated by Mark Roth in Ward 3.