Stark Democrats fail to fill vacant Massillon council post due to lack of quorum

MASSILLON – The Stark County Democrat Central Committee will need more time to fill an at-large City Council seat that's vacant for the second time this year.

The committee was unable to hold a formal meeting Tuesday afternoon to pick a new member due to the lack of a quorum among Massillon district members.

Quick exit Jim Johnson leaving Massillon council after 2 weeks due to health care coverage issue

There are 16 Democrat committee members in Massillon. At least nine are required to reach a quorum.

"We'll call a meeting for another date (to be decided)," said Democrat Committee Chairman Dimitrios Pousoulides after a roll call showed eight members present.

The abrupt ending drew the ire of multiple Democrats in the audience as well as some party members prepared to support Holly Bryan-Huth, who was a November general election candidate for the at-large post.

"This is democracy at its worst," said Massillon Auditor John Ferrero prior to being cut off by Pousoulides, who called the meeting over.

The vacancy is due to former Councilman Jim Johnson, a Democrat, resigning from the at-large post Jan. 31, after a two weeks on the job. He cited a personal health care coverage issue as the reason for stepping down.

Bryan-Huth was the only candidate vying for the seat. She acknowledged displeasure with the party falling short of a quorum.

"I'm very disappointed in the lack of attendance with the Central Committee," she said after the gathering. "For so many not to be present is disheartening. The people of Massillon deserve representation, and they deserve better."

Bryan-Huth said she is uncertain on whether to keep her hat in the ring for the position.

Stark County Dems to try again to fill Massillon City Council seat

Stark Democrats have 45 days from Jan. 31 to fill the vacancy. If they fail in the next few weeks, the nine member City Council — with a current 6-2 Republican majority — would be charged with naming a replacement.

Johnson initially replaced Democrat Councilman Ted Herncane during a special meeting Jan. 17. Herncane had left the post to become the city's development director under Mayor Jamie Slutz.

Whoever fills the council vacancy will be in line to serve through December 2025, the remainder of Herncane's original two-year term that began in January.

Massillon council members are elected to two-year terms, with a full rotation every two years. The next election is slated for November 2025.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Stark County Democrats fail to fill vacant Massillon City Council seat