EASTON, Pa. — Easton City Council on Wednesday welcomed a temporary city administrator while offering sympathies for the speedy recovery of Luis Campos.
David Hopkins was introduced as an acting city administrator by Mayor Sal Panto Jr. at council's meeting.
Campos collapsed while running in College Hill on July 6. Thanks to a pair of Easton citizens in addition to police and emergency medical technicians, he was able to be transported to St. Luke’s Easton Campus before being taken to the ICU of St. Luke's Anderson Campus.
- At Wednesday's Easton City Council meeting, council welcomed Public Works Director David Hopkins as interim city administrator while Luis Campos recovers
- Campos had a medical emergency while running in College Hill on July 6
- Hopkins said he was happy to assist while Campos is out, and said he hopes for Campos' speedy recovery
Hopkins currently is the city Public Works Director and has worked extensively with Campos.
“You know what? I’m happy to chip in — anything to help Luis — and I’m hoping for his speedy recovery,” Hopkins said, adding he is looking forward to Campos’s return.
Giving thanks
Panto offered his thanks on behalf of the council to those who assisted Campos during his medical emergency during the invocation.
“You know what, I’m happy to chip in — anything to help Luis — and I’m hoping for his speedy recovery."Easton Public Works Director and Interim City Administrator David Hopkins
“Most of all this evening, we thank you for watching over our brother Luis Campos and keeping him with us and bringing him out of harm's way," Panto said.
"We ask that you watch over the individuals that came to his aid, Ginger and Andrew, our two police officers and EMTs that responded, and the professionals at St. Luke's Easton Campus emergency room, especially under the direction of our former firefighter Dr. Joseph Faccio."
“But most important, as the mayor stated earlier, are those were there — they were guardian angels at that time. He's very, very humble about that. He's not out of the woods, but he can certainly see the light now, and we're grateful for that.”Easton Councilman Ken Brown
Councilman Ken Brown said he had been in touch with Campos earlier on in the day, and conveyed his thanks to the public and all those who helped him in his time of need.
“I would like to report that I received a call this afternoon from Mr. Campos, and he wanted me to reiterate to the public, ‘Thank you for your prayers, your cards and also to the mayor and the mayor’s staff for doing everything they did,' ” Brown said.
“But most important, as the mayor stated earlier, are those were there — they were guardian angels at that time. He's very, very humble about that. He's not out of the woods, but he can certainly see the light now, and we're grateful for that.”
Hopkins's background
Details concerning Campos’s condition are not readily available, though council members and other city authorities conveyed that he was improving. It's uncertain when he will return to his position.
Hopkins is a graduate of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and received a master’s degree in public administration from Kean University.
For nearly 20 years, he has worked in Public Services, which encompasses a staff of more than 100 workers and handles the oversight of engineering, highways, traffic, public buildings, the city fleet, parks, recreation, trash and recycling and more.
Last October, Hopkins was accused of cursing at two boys, ages 11 and 12, proceeding to follow them and chase them into Lafayette College’s Kirby Sports Center, where he allegedly threatened them.
Hopkins applied for Northampton County’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which allows for charges to be expunged if the accused successfully completes the program.
Hopkins was admitted to the program in July 2023.
