Lamont G McClure- Northampton, PA
When selecting our next County Executive to highlight, there was no question of it being Pennsylvania’s lifelong resident, Lamont McClure. Even before elected as County Executive, Lamont has made an incredible impact in his community and has continued to do so after taking office on January 2, 2018.
Putting Northampton first is always the main priority and Lamont did exactly that when it came to keeping Gracedale in public hands. Gracedale is the largest publicly owned nursing home under one roof in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. At one point, a previous administration tried to sell this county-owned nursing home to a for-profit corporation. Lamont was a member of the County Council at the time and he assisted this community-driven movement to demand that the decision be put to public vote. The result of elected officials, residents and concerned citizens rallying together and voting? 75% of Northampton County voters chose to block the sale! Gracedale still remains to be publicly owned to this day! Lamont says “This experience showed just how vital public input is to county governance—and how deeply our community cares about protecting public services. “
Managing this publicly owned nursing home has also brought some recent challenges. Even before the pandemic this was a complex operation, but COVID-19 and the resulting collapse of the long-term care labor market made it even more difficult. One strategy the county’s administration implemented was to create and on-site daycare facility. The goal was for Gracedale to attract and retain the qualified nursing staff. In doing so, they also helped provide support to their staff of their family responsibilities while helping maintain a balance at work. This was a win/win for everyone!
We also asked LaMont, “What is one area of county governance that you are particularly passionate about, and why does it resonate with you personally?” His response was simple but powerful:
“I’m particularly passionate about is mental health, especially our Department of Human Services’ efforts to reduce deaths by suicide. This commitment led to the creation of both our Suicide Prevention Task Force and the LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors), which provide critical support to those in crisis and to families who have experienced a loss. Our Human Services Division also operates the Crisis and Information & Referral Line—an essential resource for people who often don’t know where else to turn. It serves as a lifeline for residents navigating some of their most difficult moments. This issue resonates with me on a deeply personal level. The first eulogy I ever gave was at the age of 24, for a close friend I had known since I was 4 years old, who died by suicide. That experience shaped my understanding of the urgency and importance of mental health care and suicide prevention. It’s one of the reasons I remain so committed to ensuring our county continues to provide compassionate, accessible mental health services to those in need.”
Leisure time does not come often but when it does, Lamont enjoys spending it with his wife, Sandy, their son, Luke (who is currently away at college) and their dog, Bridgewater, by simply sitting out on the patio together and enjoying time as a family.
Finally, Lamont’s advice to other leaders considering joining County Executives of America is simple: “Do it. The relationships I’ve built through this organization have not only been personally meaningful, but they’ve also greatly enhanced my ability to serve as County Executive. The peer-to-peer support and shared knowledge within this network have helped me navigate challenges, learn best practices, and make more informed decisions for my county.”
With that being said, we are beyond happy to highlight Lamont G McClure this season!