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John Hallanan is expected to be Mayor Steve Fulop's picks to fill the Ward B vacancy on the City Council. Molly J. Smith | The Jersey Journal

(Jersey Journal file photo)

John Hallanan, a city attorney and longtime preservationist, will be Mayor Steve Fulop's pick to replace Khemraj "Chico" Ramchal as the Jersey City Ward B councilman.

A former president of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, Hallanan was hired as a city attorney shortly after Fulop became mayor in 2013. He makes $61,500 annually.

Hallanan, 35, a registered Democrat who lives in Gifford Avenue with his wife, would have to give up his City Hall job if the City Council approves his council appointment.

"It's a tremendous honor," Hallanan said today. "I recognize I'd be stepping into a very difficult position."

The council has until June 11 to fill the Ward B council vacancy. Council President Rolando Lavarro said the council will convene for a special meeting to appoint Hallanan once everyone has reviewed his qualifications.

"I think John is certainly qualified," Lavarro said.

Ward B includes the city's West Side, stretching from Bergen Avenue on the east over to the Hackensack River and from the Charlotte Circle on the north down to parts of the New Jersey City University campus. Census figures show the area is racially diverse: 30 percent white, 30 percent black and about 20 percent Asian. About 27 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic.

Hallanan would replace Ramchal, 41, who resigned from the council on May 12 after pleading guilty to charges related to his March 2015 drunken driving arrest. He's expected to be sentenced next month on charges of assault by auto and theft by deception.

"We had some great applicants, but as Ward B is on the brink of some major investment and progress, we wanted to find a person who is strong in both civic issues and development issues," Fulop said in a statement. "As a lifelong resident of Ward B who has been involved in countless issues, we felt John would be a strong fit."

About 10 people applied for the position and Fulop reportedly interviewed four.

Hallanan is a Saint Peter's University graduate who received his law degree from Rutgers School of Law. He worked for Elizabeth's law department, Superior Court Judge John J. Langan in Hackensack and as an attorney for an Englewood law practice specializing in real-estate transactions, landlord/tenant disputes and child emancipation, according to his resume

Fulop critic Councilman Rich Boggiano said he would support Hallanan's appointment.

"I'm not going to go against John," Boggiano told The Jersey Journal. "As long as it's somebody that represents the people and won't be a 'yes' person -- capital y-e-s."

With few exceptions, Fulop has a 7-2 majority on the City Council. Legislation his office forwards to the council usually passes easily.

The council gig may only be temporary for Hallanan. Voters in a November special election will decide who sits in the seat until the end of Ramchal's term, which expires in June 2017. If a referendum planned for November's ballot is approved by voters, the city's May municipal elections will be moved to November next year, extending Ramchal's term through December 2017.

Hallanan said he would consider running for re-election in November if the council approves his appointment.

Hallanan was a Fulop supporter in the 2013 mayoral race, contributing $985 to Fulop's campaign, campaign records show.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.