College Student Takes Seat On City Council

LATHROP, Calif. (AP) -- A college freshman is the newest city council member in the Central California city of Lathrop.

The Lathrop City Council voted Monday to appoint 19-year-old Omar Ornelas, a student at San Joaquin Delta College.

The Stockton Record says Ornelas will fill the seat vacated by Gene Neely, who resigned because he was recently appointed chief of the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District.

Ornelas tells the newspaper that he's prepared to prove his critics wrong by working hard over the next four years.

He says he plans on taking a full courseload next semester in addition to his council duties.

Ornelas will be sworn in on Dec. 20.

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