Separation Agreement Follows Alleged Insubordination and Discrimination Complaint
City Clerk’s Exit Reveals Troubling Undercurrents in City Leadership
City Clerk Camila Ramos will step down under a separation agreement, receiving salary and benefits through June 24, 2023. Her departure follows a reprimand for alleged insubordination and a federal discrimination complaint filed against the city, exposing cracks in leadership.
A Strategic Departure Avoiding Public Scrutiny
On March 15, Mayor Jim Paine placed Ramos on paid leave after she unsuccessfully appealed his reprimand. Paine has provided scant details, merely claiming Ramos’s conduct “merited termination.” The separation deal, however, avoids public fallout from a formal termination, shielding leadership from deeper scrutiny.
Efforts to reach Ramos for comment have failed, leaving the city’s account largely unchallenged. Her federal complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) raises questions about the fairness of her dismissal. Paine asserts the city acted “fairly,” but the unresolved EEOC case casts doubt on this claim.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Bias Emerge
Paine’s reprimand accused Ramos of unprofessional conduct spanning nearly a year, citing staff resignations and a controversial leave denial during the February primary. Ramos defended her decision as vital for election security, but Paine framed it as part of a broader problem.
Additional allegations against Ramos, filed by former Deputy Clerk Stephanie Becken and others, included claims of bias and poor treatment. The Human Resources Committee upheld the reprimand and suggested further training, but tensions persisted, leading to Ramos’s eventual exit.
A Leadership Gap and Lingering Doubts
Despite controversies, Paine praised Ramos’s service while signaling a desire for new leadership. Acting Clerk Heidi Blunt, a veteran staffer who had criticized Ramos, now oversees the April 4 election.
As the city seeks a new clerk, Paine predicts a smooth transition. Yet, unresolved complaints and withheld details suggest deeper dysfunction in City Hall, raising concerns about transparency and trust in local governance.
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*FOIA Requests have been made to the EEOC, and the City of Superior for all documents related to this incident this will be updated when those responses are received.
