Jim Thorpe Borough welcomed a new mayor and councilman Thursday night.

Eric Cinicola was unanimously appointed to succeed Michael Sofranko as mayor, while Ted LaRizzio will fill the remainder of the late Thomas Highland’s council term on a 5-1 vote.

Both terms run through Jan. 5, 2026.

Cinicola, a lifelong Jim Thorpe resident, is a recently retired state trooper after 20 years on the job.

“He brings a lot of experience and comes into a really great situation overseeing a police department that is functioning very well,” councilman Greg Strubinger said. “We look forward to working with the new mayor and supporting him in any way we can moving forward.”

In addition to his state police experience, Cinicola became a volunteer firefighter at age 15 and still remains involved with the Jim Thorpe Municipal Department as a line officer and captain of the Onoko station.

He also serves on the Carbon County Fireman’s Association representing Jim Thorpe.

LaRizzio, another lifelong Jim Thorpe resident, nabbed the council seat over Michael Rivkin, who unsuccessfully ran for re-election in 2023.

Tom Chapman cast the lone no vote on LaRizzio’s appointment.

“Ted is retired from Jim Thorpe Area School District, where he worked his way up through the buildings and grounds department,” Strubinger said. “He finished his career as the director of buildings and grounds. He brings a lot of experience that will be well served here.”

LaRizzio and his wife Lori were charter members of Jim Thorpe’s “Christmas Tree in the Park” event committee.

“We look forward to working with him in the next two years,” Strubinger said. “We have a good group here and a lot going on with some good things happening for our residents.”