Local Government TV

Monday, July 14, 2014

Brown Makes Three Cabinet Picks

At their July 1 meeting, Northampton County Council pressed Executive John Brown to appoint cabinet members. "I think the process is taking too long," complained Council member Scott Parsons. He can't complain anymore. On July 10, Brown made three cabinet appointments: Luis Campos as Director of Administration; James Hunter as Director of Fiscal Affairs; and David Dalrymple as the new Sheriff. The nominations will be reviewed by Council's Personnel Committee on Wednesday, and a vote will take place on Thursday.

Dalrymple
Sheriff Nominee David Dalrymple. - Called a "cop's cop" by some Deputy Sheriffs, Dalrymple is a retired Major from the New Jersey State Police, where he was the commanding officer of the intelligence section. While in the state police, he was involved in the investigation and arrest of a New Jersey Sheriff who sought $25,000 bribes for employment and promotion.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Dalrymple has a Bachelor's degree in psychology. He also has a Master's degree, awarded by Seton Hall, in Human Resources.

When a Sheriff is appointed in Northampton County, the top three choices must be forwarded to the courts for their review. Court Administrator Jill Cicero acknowledges the courts were consulted. She declined to say whether judges agree with the selection, but there are no memos opposing the appointment.

If confirmed, Dalrymple will be the only Sheriff in Pennsylvania who does not reside in the state. He lives in Stewartsville, N.J. Some gun rights activists are concerned that a former New Jersey law enforcement official might bring the Garden State's more restrictive views concerning licenses to carry firearms. Pennsylvania is a "shall issue" state, giving the Sheriff little discretion to deny a license.

A final concern about Dalrymple is whether he will be required to attend the 160-hours of training recently mandated for Sheriffs. That new law does not take effect for 60 days, so it should have no application to Dalrymple. That law also specifically exempts law enforcement officials who have received equivalent training.

If confirmed, Dalrymple's salary will be $91,422.

Jim Hunter
Fiscal Affairs Nominee James W. Hunter. - A commercial lender at Merchants Bank since 2006, Hunter is a graduate of Kutztown University and has some advanced training in bank management. Prior to that, he was a bank manager for Bank of America, and has over 30 years of experience as a banker.

He has never worked in the public sector and is not an accountant. Fiscal Affairs develops the County's budgets and financial plans and maintains control over all aspects of the County's financial and fiscal affairs. It also provides central data processing services for all agencies of county government.

Hunter's proposed salary is unknown.

Luis Campos
Director of Administration Nominee Luis Campos. - This graduate of both Muhlenberg College ('99) and Lehigh University ('01) has a Master's Degree in Political Science. He has experience in both the public and private sector.

In the public sector, he worked in the Small Business Administration, and worked in Governor Rendell's Office of Administration as well as the Budget office.

In the private sector, he first worked as a realtor for Zaworski Homes, selling new homes for his family's business between 2000 and 2008, when the Great Recession hit. From there, Campos went to work in sales for First Priority Pay, a payroll services company based in Hoboken, N.J.

His employment at First Priority lasted only two years. The two principals in that firm, Northampton County residents Jose Figueroa and Carlos Chorro, defrauded clients of almost $1 million and failed to pay $400,000 in taxes. They were sentenced in 2012.

More recently, Campos' mother, Lilliam Zaworski, has also been charged with tax evasion for failing to pay $130,000 in taxes over a three-year period, using the money to instead purchase luxury goods and services.

There is no evidence that Campos was involved in any way in that criminal scheme. In fact, he continued doing payroll sales for another three years, this time for Electronic Commerce, Inc.

Most recently, Campos was employed as a sales manager by RestoreCore, a company that specializes in fire damage, water and smoke damage, as well as disaster planning.

Campos did reside at an upscale home on Foxview Drive in Hanover Township, but the property was conveyed last week, the same day he was appointed. He currently resides in Allentown.

He is the Chair of the LV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. His family immigrated to the United States after President Reagan relaxed  immigration rules in 1986.

If confirmed, his salary will be $87,838.

Executive Brown has yet to appoint a Director of Court Services, which is thought by many to be an unnecessary office.

31 comments:

  1. As I reviewed your information, I believe they will all be confirmed. I will say that Mr. Campos appears to be the weakest candidate of the three. The Director of Admisntration is really tasked with numerous responsibilities that run the gamut of county government. Next to the Director of Human Services one of the most difficult jobs.
    His overall background is weak. That is of particular concern because he is working for a county executive who appears clueless regarding county government or its operations. So far he has shied away from experience and knowledge.
    That may be part of his master plan but with so much at stake it gives one pause considering the huge challenges facing the county in the near future.

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  2. Ot OOOH! Already people express concern about their Concealed Permit and this NJSP retiree. Our rules on this side of border are different, like Vermont and Illinois, --Now, Mr Miller did not make any concerted effort to raise the bar in firearms competency for his own people in his department, they would be more prepared to protect themselves and courthouse staff under stress,had he done so. I am going to stick my neck out ,I have a bad feeling of a competency issue shortly. I hope I'm wrong. This may be why he failed to even bother shoot enough to learn personally "HOW TO" ,over his careers.If any threat existed to step on permits here, it would have been more likely/politically Mr.Miller.Good morning all.

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  3. I'd agree that all three will be confirmed, probably unanimously. I'd argue that Hunter is the weakest of the three. I have written about the criminal matters involving Campos' mother and his former employer bc it is part of his story, but do not hold him in any way responsible for what has happened around him. Dalrymple is a very strong choice, and might be Brown's best pick yet, except that having a NJ resident as a county sheriff is going to eat away at some council members. That is not disqualifying. Maybe it should be, but it is not.

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  4. The weakest candidates will ensure a weaker Northampton County administration. Is Marijuana legal in Pennsylvania?

    Smack in the face to any Pennsylvania Law Enforcement resident who could have stepped right in to be Sheriff!

    A banker who is capable of training other bankers how to accept money, key it into a computer, put it in the drawer and hand back a receipt, would you like fries with that?

    A totally innocent (yea right) individual who seems to be around criminal activity in everything he does, sure he's a great choice to manage others.

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  5. :Smack in the face to any Pennsylvania Law Enforcement resident who could have stepped right in to be Sheriff!"

    So can Dalrymple. Your criticism smacks of partisanship, not a real objection. Hence you do not ID yourself. Fiscal Affairs and Administration may be weak choices, but the Executive should be given great deference. I see nothing that disqualifies any of them. I looked.

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  6. Bernie ,What would this Sheriff selectee do? Move into venue after he has a commitment/sell home in N.J. --I would .He is not an old man but in his prime.Easy to pull up tent pegs for new career,he's too young to quit .

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  7. Gun nuts aside, Dalrymple is clearly qualified. However it is worth noting that a Pennsylvania resident appointed to a comparable government position in New Jersey would be required to move into NJ within 1 year.

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  8. Bernie is just defending this jersey boy as he will be the one executing the removal of his ex girlfriend form her home, cum judgement day!

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  9. "it is worth noting that a Pennsylvania resident appointed to a comparable government position in New Jersey would be required to move into NJ within 1 year."

    And that is under the "New Jersey First Act," which does grant exemptions for a "critical need or hardship."

    I am more interested in having qualified people than where they live. Others think residency should be required. I will point out that about 1/3 of NC's workforce lives in Jersey.

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  10. All three picks appear to be qualified for the positions. Certainly moreso than the Allen pick for county administrator. I am sure she will still be causing mischief behind the scenes, but atl east she she was not awarded the job through attrition.

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  11. Bernie, you state that 1/3 of NC's workforce lives in NJ. This is just like outsourcing overseas. These people have no stake in the County, and if they want to serve, they should live here. All these non-residents see is a paycheck, no loyalty.

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  12. I understand your argument. It is made in Bethlehem and other municipal levels, too. I find that people who are dedicated will be that way, regardless where they live. But yours is a valid point and may be shared by a majority.

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  13. I want my vote for brown back!

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  14. Bernie.
    The Sheriff's Academy is not 160 hrs it is 19 weeks.

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  15. Hope the new sheriff gets the difference between NJ concealed permits and Penna. concealed permits. If not the county will have numerous lawsuits, with the NRA providing the attorneys.

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  16. Ok, I'll settle this, I will be a candidate for Sheriff here unless they take the good Major!The first guy I want is a guy is in the prison,not an inmate but a patriot of this nation,a genuine combatant,a smart man and the ONLY MAN you will ever meet with a U.S.Marine Corps Combat Action and an U.S.Army CIB. Greg ,you are a hero and already on staff at NC.

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  17. With all the local lawenforcement individuals who applied for Sheriff,Dumb ass John "Lennon" Brown picks a Jersey Character, this Fine Officer can't hold a candle to Randy Miller....Is this another one of Lucy Lennons ideas?????

    Retired 190

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  18. Anon 4;18 , How would you know whom can hold a candle to whom? Mr. Miller was cultured into law enforcement with a different idealism than a NJST. The standard of acceptance was widely different as was the vetting process at the time.Don't forget mr miller started about the time of the first certifications for police in Pa. ,NJ-already had a working vetting process for candidates.Yes or no? Debate me.

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  19. Don't we have enough far left NJ people moving to PA, bringing their same mindset that destroyed NJ, and now destroying PA ?

    We need pro 2nd Amendment, right minded, PA residents put into these positions of authority.

    I will not vote for any politician who supports a left minded NJ person being placed into such a position of authority over PA residents.

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  20. 6:00, how stupid. This part of PA is more blue than the part of NJ Dalrymple's coming from. Look around you.

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  21. "I will not vote for any politician who supports a left minded NJ person being placed into such a position of authority over PA residents."

    This is nonsense, likely from a Democratic member of Council, who have no desire to see Brown succeed. I would prefer that he does.

    I get the argument about Pa. residents, but the ridiculous points about NJ mindsets and the feigned fear that guns will be seized is sheer hypocrisy.

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  22. "The Sheriff's Academy is not 160 hrs it is 19 weeks."

    Don't know who you are, but I defer to you. I believe the Act calls for 160 hours, but this may be above and beyond.

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  23. If Mr. Dalrymple is a retired New Jersey State Police Major, why is there a picture of him as a Sergeant First Class?

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  24. I took a pic from a site I could use without having to seek permission first. There are more recent pics, but i was unable to use them. I will hopefully be able to get a pic on Wednesday or Thursday.

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  25. Pete, You are right on target with Greg, there are a few others over behind the wall that stand out also. There are a couple that have retired within the last year or so that could stand right with them.

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  26. anon 4:28m please get into the real world. You people live in some old life an can't seem to move forward. The world has changed. Sounds like the HS football player who sits at the bar re-telling his HS victories from thirty years ago. That is really sad. You sound like a sad soul.

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  27. I want to meet Greg, don't know him ,his reputation precedes him . Must be one hell of a man. Personal integrity, and good old fashioned KNOW HOW of public employees is my pet peeve. I'm not the best guy myself for anything, so I look up up to men like Greg ,after I hear from my Marine contacts.UNION MAN .OldPeter.

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  28. I want to meet Greg, don't know him ,his reputation precedes him . Must be one hell of a man. Personal integrity, and good old fashioned KNOW HOW of public employees is my pet peeve. I'm not the best guy myself for anything, so I look up up to men like Greg ,after I hear from my Marine contacts.UNION MAN .OldPeter.

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  29. Retired 190...let me put this out there,in simple terms so you can grasp it. Randy Miller,very openly,backed the wrong horse-or in this case the wrong horse's a**.

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  30. I wonder why Pennsylvania does not have qualified candidates to fill the sheriff's position. It looks like its not What you know, But who you Know. Someone with Policing AND corrections experience should have been selected, along with an understanding of commonwealth laws. It is demoralizing to the present staff within the county, has no qualified candidates. If Dalyrumple was qualified, why didn't he seek the sheriff's position in Warren county last year when he was retired and that position was up for election, not appointment, maybe he would not have qualified, or been elected on his resume and skill.

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