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Council appoints Michael Hamacek to vacant Johnstown seat amid legal challenge
Summary
Johnstown City Council adopted Resolution No. 10752 on Feb. 4, 2026, appointing Michael Hamacek to a vacant council seat by a 5–1 roll-call vote after nominations and public objections; the city solicitor said the appointment fell within a 30-day window.
Johnstown City Council voted Feb. 4 to fill the vacant council seat, choosing Michael Hamacek by a 5–1 roll-call vote under Resolution No. 10752.
Mayor Sylvia King and five council members — Charles Arnone, Samuel Barber, Taylor Clark and Nicolas Spinelli — voted for Hamacek; Council member Lorraine Brandon-Taylor cast the lone vote for Jasmine LaRue. Council member Taylor Clark nominated Hamacek; Lorraine Brandon-Taylor nominated LaRue. After nominations, Mayor King moved to close nominations and the council proceeded to a roll-call selection.
The vote followed public objections from Charlene Stanton, who said the council would be violating an unspecified Pennsylvania statute if it appointed a person and said she intended to pursue court action if the council filled the seat. City Solicitor Aimee Willett responded with a legal opinion that, in her view, the newly seated council began its terms on Jan. 5, 2026, and that counting rules leave the council within the 30-day window to make an appointment.
The council treated the matter as a formal resolution to fill the vacancy. The meeting record identifies the action as Resolution No. 10752; the council completed nominations, closed nominations and recorded a roll-call count naming the chosen appointee. The council announced no additional conditions attached to the appointment at the meeting.
The meeting went into executive session after business concluded. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
