A decision earlier this month by the Cambridge city manager ended Sondra Scheir's 20-year stranglehold on a seat on the Cambridge Election Commission.

City Manager Robert W. Healy appointed Lynne A. Molnar to a four-year term as an election commissioner, replacing five-term incumbent Sondra Scheir.

On April 1, Healy followed the wishes of the Cambridge Democratic Committee, which in February voted to replace Scheir with Molnar.

Some observers speculated that Healy would not follow the party's recommendation and would instead appoint Scheir, who finished third in the February balloting.

Molnar, a management consultant for a non-profit organization, said yesterday that she is enjoying her work as one of the city's four commissioners.

"I'm thrilled to be appointed," Molnar said. "The other commissioners have been very open to me, in terms of giving me information and filling me in on things and welcoming me."

Molnar campaigned on a promise to streamline the operation of the commission. She said she has introduced several of her ideas so far.

We've been experimenting," she said. "We didn't prioritize what we were talking about, but now we do."

Teresa S. Neighbor, executive director of the commission, said she "trusted that the manager made the right choice" in appointing Molnar.

"She appears to be making an excellent contribution to the meetings," Neighbor said.