Mike Hartman spent his entire life in Jim Thorpe. His grandparents grew up there. His parents grew up there. Two of his three children went through the school district, with a third still enrolled.

On Thursday night, he took a seat at the borough council table.

Council voted unanimously to appoint Hartman, 50, to fill the vacancy left by the August resignation of Councilwoman Sydney Wernett. Mayor Eric Cinicola swore him in on the spot.

Hartman, who works in health care providing anesthesia services, said the depth of his roots in the community made him want to give something back.

“I grew up in the community. I raised my family in the community,” Hartman said. “I felt a need to give to the community as we’ve done in many ways through fundraisers.”

Hartman described Jim Thorpe as a place with both a past worth preserving and a future worth investing in.

He said his goals for the appointment are straightforward: listen, collaborate and serve.

“I’m going to be committed to listening to the residents, working together with all the council members,” Hartman said. “I would like to do my part in keeping Jim Thorpe a great place to live, to do business, to visit, and to raise a family. That’s my core initiative.”

His name was the only one put forward Thursday. Hartman will serve the remainder of Wernett’s unexpired term, which runs through the end of 2027.

Wernett, elected in November 2023, resigned effective Aug. 13. Council President Connor Rodgers said at the time that council accepted the resignation “with regret.”