Note: the following is the first installment of a series called, The Brenda Files. Future installments will address additional matters surrounding commissioner Knapper's treatment of Tourism Director Brenda Leisy.
The Brenda Files, Charlie style! In an effort to sway voters, Charlie Knapper has presented HR-protected documents to the unprotected internet for all the world to see. One claim he makes is that Brenda was reprimanded because she was disobedient three times prior to him filing Corrective Action Forms against her. Let us look at this alleged document that he stands behind and break this down into four very simple points:
Issue 1:
The document holds a section titled "When WARNED and by WHOM", which is clearly visible in his video. While there are names in boxes representing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd occurrences, alleging the 'WHOM', there are no dates in the boxes as to when said warning(s) took place. Brenda's supervisor was Charlie Knapper during this time, yet according to him, Jean Bauer and Melissa Price somehow held supervisory authority over Brenda because he created a document that says so. I researched records trying to find when Jean Bauer or Melissa Price supervised Brenda during her tenure as Tourism Director, but that relationship does not exist; Melissa Price is not even employed by the County in a supervisory capacity. So, how was Brenda warned by folks that have no supervisory authority over her position?
Issue 2:
Was Brenda ever warned? Charlie claims that "...she wasn't warned about it but received an email...", so what really took place? If she was not warned, then why create a document to make the situation appear to be something it is not?
Issue 3:
While Brenda holds a right to disseminate documentation that pertains to her, Charlie is not a county employee and has not been Brenda's supervisor for some time now, so why does he have protected HR documents in his personal possession outside of the County building?
Issue 4:
There was an investigation performed by a third party, paid for by our tax dollars, that remains unobtainable yet is directly tied to Charlie's actions on behalf of the County. Charlie claims he was acquitted, yet the public is being hamstrung because the County will not release the allegations and findings of the investigation. I find this demoralizing and ethically challenging that anyone in this situation, much less an elected official, can make such a circumstantial claim that clearly obfuscates fact-checking, likely more serious. He continually claims to be transparent but is acting in much the opposite direction.
Click here to read the Star Herald article about the community's response to Brenda Leisy's suspension.