Melvin R. "Randy" Primas Jr. breezed into Camden four years ago with hope and pride - a hometown hero who had returned to resurrect one of the nation's poorest cities.
With his deep connections to powerful politicians like State Sen. Wayne Bryant (D., Camden), and his experience as the city's former mayor and as a Commerce Bank executive, he was viewed as the perfect choice as Camden's state-appointed chief operating officer.
Today, Primas finds few who think he's Camden's savior.
Cracks are beginning to appear in his powerful throne, and doubts have arisen about how much longer he will continue supervising the state's 10-year, $175 million makeover of Camden.
Primas' records have been subpoenaed and his role in Camden has been spattered by the mud of corruption investigations into Bryant's finances.
Bryant this week quit as chairman of the powerful Senate Budget Committee amid a growing corruption scandal. At the same time, the state attorney general issued a subpoena in an investigation into $1 million that Bryant channeled into Camden, part of which was used to pay Bryant's own law firm.
Primas has denied wrongdoing. He said the money was for legal bills related to the Cramer Hill redevelopment project and not a "slush fund."
The corruption probe comes at a time when Primas is already locked in a vicious squabble with a state overlord over control of the city budget. He's also smarting from setbacks of his neighborhood redevelopment plans, including the defeat of the $1.2 billion Cramer Hill redevelopment that was to be a keystone of Camden's comeback.
In addition, Primas' five-year term at the head of the state-funded $175 million Camden recovery plan - a job with extraordinary powers that trump those of the mayor and City Council - will enter its final year beginning Nov. 1. The day draws near when he will have to reckon with whether his term ends in scandal and an unfinished city revival or whether he'll keep his job for another five years.
Even in troubled times, Primas is well-liked, known for his bouncy, panda-bear demeanor and smile that could be seen on Pluto. He maintains his cool even in the face of irate citizenry - a trademark of Camden activism.
Until recently, he commanded the respect of residents, community activists, investors and developers.
Primas, who earns $175,000 a year, became captain of Camden when Democratic power seemed ascendant under George Norcross III, the party's South Jersey chairman.
Lately, he's come under attack.
