It’s a period of uncertainty in Johnstown.    Former city manager, Carlos Gunby, resigned after he was accused of stealing money from the city.    In December, council members quickly hired Melissa Komar.  

“If we didn’t have someone come in immediately, feet on the ground to work with some of these projects, we stood the chance to lose tens of thousands of dollars in grants and other support programs,” said Mayor Frank Janakovic.

Janakovic said one of those projects included the Amtrak station, “In Johnstown we receive about 24,000 people who use that train each year. Right now I understand there’s federal and state money coming down for consideration of four runs instead of two between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg which would help Johnstown and Altoona.”

Komar has worked with city leaders for 13 years.  She said she has the experience to obtain much needed grant money and has built some strong relationships, “We’re the hub right here.  A lot of adjacent municipalities work with us and those relationships can’t be created overnight, so through time I have created many positive relationships that we work very well together.”

Business leaders agree they’ve seen a significant change in Johnstown just within the past year and to continue to move forward they say they need continuity in their city government.
 
“It’s been tremendous improvement from prior administrations, I’m impressed,” Mark Pasquerilla said.

Pasquerillia is one of the business leaders who is for this hire.   The city of Pittsburgh was able to shake its rust belt image.  Pasquerilla believes Johnstown is already in the first phase of a revitalization effort, “I remain optimistic, but we need to take people with a vision, with patience, and persistence to see that happen.”

Pasquerilla said Johnstown needs to evoke the spirit of Hockeyville everyday.   He added Komar has the right experience and a positive attitude.

Komar was hired to a one year contract.