Is Anyone Steering the USS Northampton County?

Cathy Allen

On Monday, inside sources told me that Luis Campos, Northampton County Director of Administration, was no longer employed at the County. I was unable to get a verification of this rumor from Executive John Brown, Human Resources Director Amy Trapp or Campos. But the rumors have intensified. I am informed reliably that he submitted his letter of resignation on Tuesday. I have filed a RTK for the letter. I will let you know when I have it. I am sure the letter will say nothing of the underlying reasons for the resignation. When Brown finally discusses it, he will thank Campos for his services. But make no mistake. Brown wanted to get rid of him.

I will confirm the resignation, probably today, but am now certain that Campos is gone. You have read nothing about this in the dailies because Brown lacks transparency and won't tell them what he's doing. He thinks he's above explaining himself. That's an odd position for someone running for Auditor General, an office that demands accountability and transparency.

Also, dumping a Latino cabinet level official (the only minority member of his cabinet) is sure to raise questions about his commitment to diversity at a time when most Republicans are running away from Donald Trump's bigotry.

What has Brown done to inspire loyalty among his inner circle? He calls them his "team." But from his own cabinet appointments, he has already lost a Solicitor (Vic Scomillio left to run for judge), Director of Public Works (Richard Young is now in the private sector), Director of Human Relations (Tracie Barnes is suing) and Director of Community and Economic Development (Diane Donaher left under mysterious circumstances).

It sounds like a losing team at this point, and if I were on his cabinet, I'd be looking over my shoulder.

Did Campos' behavior warrant this shoddy treatment? That's hard to say because no one is talking. But Cathy Allen, the Deputy Administrator, wants that job, and has already interfered with nearly every cabinet level official on the Brown "team"

She's a high school grad whose experience consists of managing a two-person insurance office in which she has been one of those two people  She has Brown's confidence to manage a 2,200-person workforce, but is facing a foreclosure of her own property after falling behind on her mortgage, and the attorney representing her wants to withdraw.

Should Council just give her the keys to the courthouse and have her making financial decisions while Brown is largely absent and no one is at the helm?

I think we all know the answer.

Updated 10:20 am: I now have Campos' resignation letter in response to a RTK. So does The Express Times, which is now reporting the departure. You'll note that Executive Brown is not speaking to them, either.