Johnstown planner resigns; effort continues for recall election of councilmen

JOHNSTOWN — The city of Johnstown, just one mile from the edge of the $20 billion Intel Corporation development, will have to replace its city planner, who has resigned.

Since December, the Johnstown city manager, police chief, finance director, two city council members and a police officer have left, and two more council members face a potential recall election later this year.

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Bailey Morlan, a key person providing information to council at city council meetings, submitted her resignation on July 18, effective Aug. 11. She has been with the city since April 30, 2019, and there have been no disciplinary actions against her.

In her resignation letter to Interim City Manager Jack Liggett and city council, Morlan wrote: “Over the next four weeks, I plan to be in the office and help with the transition in any way I can. I appreciate the opportunities you and council gave me during my time with the city of Johnstown. I wish the city and staff the best moving forward.”

Telephone messages left for Liggett and Mayor Chip Dutcher were not returned by presstime. Liggett was away from the office on vacation.

City Councilman Donald Barnard said, "She's been given an incredible opportunity with another organization. She was very upset. She likes where she's working. She did not leave because of any of the turmoil. We tried to do everything to keep her."

Barnard said Assistant City Manager Sean Staneart, a former mayor, will help fill in while the city searches for a new planner.

“We’re going to miss Bailey, but having Sean to assist, it’s OK,” Barnard said. “He works with Bailey very closely. He’s in tune with everything she’s doing. Sean is very educated and very smart with things in the city.”

Liggett remains the interim city manager, Barnard said. Liggett, the utilities superintendent, took on the added duties when City Manager Jim Lenner left in December. Rusty Smart remains the interim police chief, following the May 6 termination of Abe Haroon. Finance Director Dana Steffan left on July 1.

“I know Johnstown has been a mess, but I think with some changes, things will be better in the future,” Barnard said. “We are looking at putting the right people in place.”

City Council President Marvin Block and Dutcher, who is mayor and council member, could face a recall election later this year. An investigative report for the city stated Block violated the city charter when he attempted to intimidate or pressure Haroon to get rid of a mayor's court clerk/police dispatcher.

At a February council meeting, the spouses of Steffan and Haroon called for Block’s resignation, saying he was spreading false rumors about their spouses having an affair.

The Johnstown group seeking the recall submitted its petitions a second time last week to the council clerk, after the initial petitions were ruled insufficient because Block and Dutcher were less than six months into their term.

Johnstown resident Stephanie Giannini, who previously delivered recall petitions with 332 signatures, delivered petitions with more than 150 signatures for each councilman. Each petition must have valid signatures from at least 95 registered voters in the city to qualify for an election ballot.

Giannini asked for the council members to resign, avoiding the estimated $15,000 cost to the city of an election with nothing else on the ballot.

“This represents the voice of the citizens of Johnstown,” Giannini told council at the July 19 meeting. “We ask again for your prompt resignation. This will save time and money and allow the community to move forward.

“It is time for councilmen Block and Dutcher to get past their egos and step down and do what is best for the city.”

Neither council member commented on Giannini’s request.

Intel plans to build two computer chip manufacturing facilities, called fabs, on land already annexed into New Albany. The company expects production to start in 2025 and employment to reach 3,000, with an average wage of $135,000. The project is also expected to create 7,000 construction jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs. It could be the beginning of a $100 billion investment by the company.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Johnstown city planner Bailey Morlan submits resignation