JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The City of Johnstown is continuing to search for a new police chief and a new community and economic development director after both positions became open within the past few weeks.
Police Chief Richard Pritchard abruptly left Oct. 23, effective immediately, providing just a two-sentence resignation letter.
Then, on Nov. 26, Community and Economic Development Director Nina Ndichu sent out a mass email with a “Farewell and Thank You” subject line. She wrote: “It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and talented people, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to our community.”
Neither has spoken publicly about the reasons for their departures.
City Manager Art Martynuska has declined to discuss why Pritchard and Ndichu are gone, simply referring to the situations as personnel matters. But after Johnstown City Council’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Martynuska spoke about the status of the searches.
Regarding the process of finding a full-time police chief, he said, “We haven’t started it yet. We’re still talking internally how we’re going to handle that.” In the interim, Capt. Dan Price will continue to serve as the officer in charge.
The recruiting of a new community and economic development director is further along.
“We actually have the job description put out, but no replies yet,” Martynuska said.
During the meeting itself, council unanimously approved the city’s balanced 2025 budget of $15,460,774, with a plan to put $434,000 into the capital fund.
Finance Director Melissa Millard also provided an update about the city’s current budget as the year comes to an end.
“As of today – I ran this report right before I came over – in the 2024 budget, we currently are closing, so far, with a surplus of $677,730,” Millard said. “So the city management team and the directors, we worked really diligently and hard. … We do have the city’s best interest at heart.”
Millard added: “That money will make money for the city, so moving forward, it will be a revenue source. It’s not just going to get randomly spent. It will be invested, and at some point it will be budgeted and moved into the capital fund for infrastructure, so we can start moving forward over the next five to 10 years doing what needs to be done in the city.”
Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5056. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Sutor.