The controller is an independently elected official responsible for the internal control of the county's financial transactions. He may audit county departments or outside agencies receiving county funds. He can audit on his own initiative. The annual salary is $65,000.
Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Phillips attended and graduated from Meyers High School. He earned earned a BS Degree from Mansfield State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lehigh University.
He spent much of his career in the Technology Service Industry, gaining expertise in Project, Program and Portfolio Management. He retired from Hewlett-Packard with 25 years of service. He continues to teach classes in Project and Portfolio Management as an Adjunct Instructor at Penn State Lehigh Valley.
In addition to his business experience, Phillips has served his country as a United States Marine. He has 27 years of combined active and reserve service. He retired with the rank of Colonel.
He previously held elected office, holding an “at large” seat on Northampton County Council for four years, during the period 2014 -2017.
His campaign announcement states that Phillips "was known as hardworking and conscientious. He earned a reputation as independent and non-partisan. He looked at the facts and made decisions only on what he felt was for the good of Northampton County."
Ordinarily, I would disregard this as puffing. But I happen to agree. He has a conscience and was more than willing to stand up to a Republican Executive when he thought it was going in the wrong direction.
Despite his independence, he was defeated in 2017 in a blue wave that swept many local Republicans out of office statewide. Because local newspapers provide little coverage of county government, to say nothing of the persons who seek election, there is an increasing tendency to just vote the party instead of the person. On the other hand, voters like divided government
Though fiscally conservative, Phillips has also been criticized for proposing a tax hike during his first year in office. He was acting on the basis of dire financial predictions about the county's finances, which later proved to be inaccurate.
Phillips and his wife have resided in Lower Nazareth Township, PA. since 1993. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.
Is this the Kids Peace fellow?
ReplyDeleteCarpetbagger from up North coal country.
ReplyDeleteshould have never been elected to council.
ReplyDeleteHayden Phillips is a man of great character, great intelligence, a great heart and a great work ethic. He certainly would make an excellent controller for Northampton County. I can vouch for him and know him personally. In spite of limited coverage and the reported blue wave, Mr. Phillips lost the previous controller's race against Mr. Barron by about only 500 votes. (If I remember correctly) The race was very close. According to this article, Mr. Phillips has lived in Lower Nazareth Township since 1993. That would hardly classify him as a "carpetbagger". I can see that the anonymous trolls are out already spewing their negative vitriol most likely about a man whom they know little, if anything, about. This man knows Hayden Phillips and believes he would be a premier choice for controller of Northampton County.
ReplyDeleteA former Brown croonie. Why would you want to vote for him.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteA former Brown croonie. Why would you want to vote for him.
February 14, 2019 at 12:35 PM"
Why would you vote for a Sal Panto crony???... controller race is a disaster
12:10 hi supporter and cheerleader or as he was know in county Our Fearless Leader
ReplyDeleteYou'd ordinarily consider those three rather innocuous sentences in his campaign announcement as puffing? Seriously? How bloody anemic should one's self endorsement be for his or her campaign announcement?
ReplyDeleteMy biggest flaw is that I am far too humble about my many great accomplishments.
ReplyDeletePhillips is a good man. For the record he detested John Brown and those feelings were mutual. Phillips just kept his views on Brown mostly to himself ( misplaced Party solidarity , which he probably regrets ). Northampton County needs a set of eyes watching financial decisions that are not tied to specific Party loyality. No accusations to McClure and company ....... Just a valid observation.
ReplyDeleteas long as he is not a democrat oas happy amazon is not going to nyc keep voting for these left wing radicals
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have two qualified ,honerable people for the voters to choose from . Both men are top notch and if they knew each other would get along fine , because they both have integrity. Best part is , neither “needs a job” . This changes how they would view issues.
ReplyDeleteHe pushed an unnecessary 20% tax increase. He was part o9f the Jail at Gracedale gang. He turned his back on the behavior of the rogue authority.
ReplyDelete